by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Substack
UN GATE, Dec 6 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's example in UNECA in Addis Ababa: the UN Economic Commission for Africa. With Guterres' spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa refusing all questions from banned Inner City Press, we have received this:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee:
A senior staff member at UNECA has raised serious concerns about the organization's commitment to disability inclusion, citing a "deficit of trust" in leadership.
In a letter to the Executive Secretary, the staffer reported systemic neglect to disabled staff, including inaccessible infrastructure, lack of mental health support, and exclusionary practices in Town Halls. The African Hall renovation, intended to improve accessibility, remains incomplete after a decade and millions of dollars spent, leaving staff questioning accountability.
A partially built parking garage, dubbed the "Monument of Incompetence," underscores inefficiency. Calls for transparency and meaningful action have gone unanswered, prompting staff to escalate concerns to the UN Secretary-General - Big Tony Guterres, sure to do nothing.
A healthcare professional, familiar with workplace wellness, emphasized that the neglect of mental health and inclusion of disable staff member can exacerbate stress and harm productivity, urging immediate reforms to staff voice.
Fat chance with Fat Tony.
On Guterres' mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, a month ago Inner City Press published this from a UN whistleblower:
"Dear Mr. Matthew Russell Lee:
...The Principal Coordination Officer, Director of SRSG of UNMISS has recently been ousted due to a sexual misconduct case."
"The individual who was sent home due to a sexual scandal is Boitshoko Mokgathe. The woman who accused him is Catherine Shin, a senior Political Affairs Officer. [No denial or comment from UN] Catherine Shin filed a case against Boithshoko Mokgathe, highlighting the severe shortcomings in the mission’s management structure.
The SRSG - Nicholas Haysom, an at times jovial man who did nothing when Inner City Press to whom he has spoken about the UN's failure in Sri Lanka was banned -- being of advanced age, struggles to manage the office effectively."
USG Catherine Pollard held a town hall meeting with UNMISS staff today. However, questions were only taken from a selected group of management, while the majority of staff were sidelined.
The UN in Africa
Coming soon, under Elise Stefanik and otherwise, a reckoning? We will have more on this.
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