by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Sept 23 – How hypocritical is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? In his September 23 UNGA speech, he mouthed platitudes about "safeguarding human rights defenders, journalists, and freedom of speech" -
this while he bans Inner City Press from even entering the UN and his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions.
In the run-up to the UNGA week he bans the Press from, on September 20, this: "The Secretary-General met with H.E. Ms. Josephine Lagu Yanga, Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan. The Secretary-General and the Vice-President discussed the cooperation between the United Nations and South Sudan" - including the UN child rape there no one's been hedl accountable for?
Inner City Press has asked them, and others, about the newest sex abuse case against the UN there. This, from a UN whistleblower sent to Inner City Press:
Dear Matthew Russell Lee,
The Special Envoy to South Sudan, Mr. Haysom of South Africa, while confined to his sickbed and pending medical clearance, appointed his compatriot, Mr. Graham Maitland—also from South Africa—as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Political Affairs in South Sudan replacing departing DSRSG, Mr. Cong. Mr. Maitland previously served as a D-2 in the Eastern Africa Division at UN Headquarters.
At the same time, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the DSRSG for Humanitarian Affairs, is from Ghana, and the current Chief of Staff, Ms. Leda, also from Ghana, has been shortlisted for a DSRSG position in New York.
Notably, Ms. Leda rose from a P-3 to a D-2 post without prior mission experience, reportedly favored by her former Chief of Staff from Nigeria, whose retirement was unlawfully extended.
One of the guiding principles of the United Nations is the promotion of equitable geographical distribution in senior appointments, yet this principle appears increasingly neglected. It is especially concerning that the Special Envoy to South Sudan, Mr. Haysom, exercised the authority to appoint his own compatriot while himself on medical leave and still awaiting medical clearance.
Guterres, they say, should end censorship. Application was made on June 19, 2025. Watch this site.
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