UNITED NATIONS, September 20 -- As the UN prepares for a “high level” meeting about its work in the Central African Republic, its problems with nepotism and even the hiring of mercenaries appear not to have been solved.
In late 2009, Inner City Press asked Ms. Sahle-Work Zewde, Special Representative of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Head of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) about a series of BONUCA hires of relatives of the head of the UN Department of Political Affairs Africa II Division, Sammy Buo. She said she would look into it, take action and report back.
Nine months later, having heard nothing from her or about any changes, Inner City Press asked her for an update. “I don't want to speak about the past,” she said.
Inner City Press asked, “But are the individuals, including the former employee of the Executive Outcomes private military firm, still employed by the UN in the CAR?” She would not answer.
How can the UN credibly preach transparency and anti-corruption if these are its practices?
Inner City Press asked the World Bank's representative for the region about the Bank's and IMF's freezing of work with the Bank of Central African States. She acknowledged the freeze, but said that the CAR hadn't been hurt. If true, what does this way about the Bank of Central African States' work?
Finally, Inner City Press asked Jan Grauls, Permanent Representative of Belgium,about the World Food Program's recent call for $15 million to feed 600,000 people in CAR. Ambassador Grauls distinguish humanitarian aid from the peacebuilding funds he has been raising, but said that agriculture is among the best way to disarm former rebels. We have another question in and with Ambassador Grauls; watch this site.
Inner City Press formally asked the director of DPA's Africa II Division Sammy Kum Buo the following questions:
Mr. Buo -- I am writing a story about this morning's Security Council session on BONUCA / Central African Republic. I am also covering management issues in BONUCA and DPA and am writing for you to confirm or deny on deadline each of the following [about BONUCA staffers]
Is Gabriel Buh Kang a relative of yours? A cousin?
Is BONUCA staffer Ekei a relative of yours? Your niece?
What is the status of Brindou Germain Kabran ?
When in CAR, have you stayed with Brindou Germain Kabran?
Did you still collect DSA? Please provide records.
What can you say about the case of Gozo Tshamala?
On deadline, Matthew
Mr. Buo is also accused of hiring a former mercenary from Executive Outcomes, in violation of UN rules. While Mr. Buo has refused to respond, Inner City Press has discussed the matter with other Mission officials and finally, on December 21, with Mr. Buo's boss in DPA, Haile Menkerios. Mr. Menkerios confirmed he is aware of the issue. Inner City Press asked Mr. Menkerios what DPA's response would be. It is a management issue, Mr. Menkerios replied, that will be responded to in a management way.
But has it been?
Summary:
Subject: BINUCA
From: Name withheld due to retaliation concerns
To: matthew.Lee [at] innercitypress.com
Dear Matthew Please innercity should absolutely look into this matter which is serious WHAT IS GOING ON IN BONUCA/BINUCA?
DPA has created a new mission called BINUCA to replace BONUCA starting January 2010 in Central Africa Republic. For more than 9 years, BONUCA a DPA led mission was plagued with nepotism and favoritism... Of particular importance is the role played by Mr Sammy Kum Buo, the Director of Africa II, very famous with his absence of political judgment (remember Rwanda where he was advising the SRSG Booh Booh) who had succeeded in appointing a niece called Ekei as Administrative Assistant, a cousin called Gabriel Buh Kang in the finance section... the recruitment of the security Officer, Antonio de Jesus a former memeber of Executive Outcome was done in violation of all the recruitment rule procedures. Buo is trying to maintain in the mission his friend Brindou Germain Kabran where he lives when he is mission in CAR despite he, receiving the DSA.. His fellow Cameroonian... Marie Claire Bikia, recruited as administrative Assistant, is trying to be promoted Gender assistant. She went several times in Turin for gender training.
In order to cover this integrity issues, Sammy Kum Buo with the support of or not of Lynn Pascoe is currently deciding on the future of the staffs by trying to impress upon the new SRSG, the Ethiopian diplomat, Ms Zewde who is in her first experience in the UN and doesn't know the administrative procedure. Sammy Kum Buo would like to keep his cousin, niece and friends and sacrifying the other staffs. This is UNACCEPTABLE Inner city press should try to raised this issue
Consider it done, or started. Watch this site.