by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Aug 20 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? His spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN. Below, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press, about younger staff members being shaken down to pay bribes to "Tony's cronies" to keep their jobs. Meanwhile, pontificating to other staff:
"Dear colleagues, The Secretary-General has decided that, effective 1 October 2025, all staff members at New York Headquarters will be required to work onsite at least four days a week, an increase from the current three-day minimum.
This has already been opposed by UNSU: "evaluation of the Flexible Workplace Strategy (A/78/225) dated 25 July 2023, which found: • That the implementation of a flexible workplace may have negatively contributed to staff health and well-being; • That it did not increase in-person collaboration as projected; • Documented challenges with noise, privacy and limited focus spaces for staff (which have since accelerated); • That staff adaptation of a mobile way of working, including away from the office, has contributed to resilience and helped the Organization improve environmental sustainability; • A staff-to-seat ratio on Secretariat building floors averaging 1.49:1, and in some floors a staff-to- seat ratio of close to 2 staff per seat (which will create hardship situations for staff when most staff on a given floor have to be in the office)2. Noting the decreasing number of meeting rooms in the Secretariat building due to increasing conversion of meeting rooms on the 15th and 27th floor to offices for senior officials, as well as restrictions of use on the meeting rooms on the 27th floor... Recognizing the rising cost of living in New York City, including record-high rental prices, noting the disproportionate burden placed on lower-compensated staff – particularly those in General Service and entry-level Professional categories – who often face longer commuting distances, higher transportation costs and limited access to affordable housing near Headquarters; Mindful that a balanced hybrid model helps to sustain the integrity and vibrancy of New York Headquarters as the core of the multilateral system. The Staff Council hereby respectfully requests the Secretary-General to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Reverse the decision to mandate a 4-day in-office work modality across UNHQ." Big Tony is in Japan; Inner City Press still banned.
From UN whistleblowers to Inner City Press:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee,
Panic is spreading among senior personnel in South Sudan, particularly those who were promoted through favoritism—from P-3 to D-1 and D-2—without a transparent, merit-based process.
A notable case is that of Leda Limann, reportedly the daughter of former Ghanaian President Dr Hilla Limann. It remains unclear how she was promoted directly from P-3 to Chief of Staff position, D-2 within the same mission (UNMISS) and subsequently rostered for the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) position. This advancement was facilitated by the former Chief of Staff, Mr Paul Egunsola, shortly before his retirement. Mr Egunsola had aspired to the SRSG post, but that ambition did not materialise. Instead, the Secretary-General elevated the current DSRSG, Mr Cong, to the level of Under-Secretary-General (USG).
To retain his D-2 post as Chief of Staff, Mr Egunsola was reportedly allowed to remain in service beyond the mandatory UN retirement age of 65. His actions were reportedly supported by the current Director of Human Resources, Mr Aggrey Kedogo, who himself rose from P-4 to P-5 and then to D-1—allegedly by facilitating irregular recruitments and other questionable activities for senior officials. He is reportedly anticipating promotion to D-2 in the near future. The current Director of Mission Support (DMS), Ms Victoria Browning, previously served as a P-5 in Geneva before being seconded to UNMISS and appointed to a D-2 post.
Despite the ongoing financial crisis facing the UN, she has remained in this seconded position for nearly a decade—raising serious concerns about compliance with policy and equitable staffing practices. In order to preserve her role of seconded position, she is reportedly hesitant to provide the SRSG and Chief of Staff with accurate procedural guidance. These individuals are now reportedly working behind the scenes to shield their associates from the looming downsizing exercise.
Despite widespread awareness of these irregularities, the Office of USG Lopez has remained conspicuously silent. UN80 must take decisive steps to investigate not only those directly involved in acts of corruption and favou
ritism but also those whose silence and inaction contribute to institutional decay. Alarming allegations have emerged indicating that some officials are soliciting payments in exchange for protection from job cuts. These claims warrant urgent and thorough investigation to restore integrity, transparency, and fairness to staffing decisions.
Guterres, they say, should end censorship. Application was made on June 19, 2025. Watch this site.
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