UNITED NATIONS, August 13 -- With the UN shown to have covered-up rapes not only in the Central African Republic, by its own UN peacekeepers and the French Sangaris force, but also in Tabit in Darfur and Minova in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before that, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met behind closed doors with the 15 members of the Security Council on August 13. Now on August 14, the US State Department in Washington has issued a statement, below.
Conspicuously absent from the August 13 meeting, and from the UN during this week of scandal for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, was the head of DPKO, Herve Ladsous. He is, in the French way, on vacation; Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told Inner City Press that Ladsous had not even spoken with Ban about the scandal.
Last month's Security Council president told the press that this months president, Joy Ugwu of Nigeria, would be coming to the UNTV stakeout to provide a summary of the meeting. Then it was said that Ogwu would stakeout along with the US Ambassador, Samantha Power. Then finally, only Samantha Power spoke. Video here.
Power's new spokesperson pointedly allowed only three questions, from Reuters (who she'd called on for Power's most recent stakeout on August 7, here), Associated Press (which also asked about ISIS and an upcoming Arria formula meeting about LGTBI) and finally... the Wall Street Journal.
Inner City Press asked, as it would have asked Joy Ogwu, if making troop contributing countries disclose whether they prosecute suspects and the results was discussed. Power's spokesperson said pointedly, I've already called on [Reuters.] But on August 14, Inner City Press asked Ogwu, here.
Now on August 14, we publish this full text from the State Department's Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner:
"The United States is profoundly shocked and dismayed by allegations and incidents of serious misconduct by UN peacekeepers serving in the UN Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The most recent of those allegations includes rape and civilian casualties during an arrest operation in early August. These allegations raise serious concerns about the mission’s discipline and command. They must be investigated immediately and thoroughly, with appropriate punishment and accountability for the perpetrators.
"We welcome recent actions from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon including convoking leaders of UN peacekeeping missions, and calling for yesterday’s special session of the Security Council to discuss these serious allegations and the efforts he is taking to strengthen the UN's response and institute a policy of zero tolerance for misconduct of any kind by UN peacekeepers and staff.
"The United States remains convinced of the importance of MINUSCA in supporting the transition process underway in the Central African Republic and of the central utility of UN peacekeeping in advancing peace and reconciliation in regions afflicted with violence. Instances of abuse such as these and others in recent years, however, threaten to undermine the credibility of this crucial tool for conflict resolution. We will continue to push the UN for urgent action to improve vetting, implement measures to protect civilians from abuse and exploitation, and investigate any allegations and take and appropriate action. The United States also calls upon Member States to ensure that their personnel serving in UN peacekeeping missions are subject to investigations and appropriate legal action at home for any crimes they may commit while in service as a peacekeeper.
"The United States reaffirms its support for MINUSCA’s vast efforts to support the population of the Central African Republic and we call on all parties to renew and demonstrate their commitment to free, fair, and peaceful elections."
So the US will "continue to push the UN for urgent action" - while the head of UN Peacekeeping Herve Ladsous, who also covered up rapes in Darfur, remains on vacation, UNurgent?
On August 13, the rest of the press corps was there, apparently, just as extras to make it look free-wheeling. And so after entirely predictable hand-picked questions, Inner City Press asked Power, on the mass rapes in Tabit in Darfur, has anything been done? The question was perfectly audible. But there was no answer.
Here's why it's important: many on the Security Council including the US spoke a lot about UN Peacekeeping's cover-up of rapes in Tabit in Darfur last year. But nothing has been done: no one disciplined, much less fired. If there was no follow through on that, how will there be on this?
Relatedly, while much is made of trying to get European countries to contribute more troops to UN Peacekeeping, the French government did nothing about allegations its soldiers raped children in CAR, which that government received from the UN's Ander Kompass in July 2014. So how would their inclusion automatically make things better?
These are questions that should be answered, or at least allowed. These are questions that will be pursued. Watch this site.
Note: from the USUN transcript:
Moderator: [Inaudible] call on folks. Joe. Joe has raised his hand. And then that’s the last question.
Conspicuously absent from the meeting, and from the UN during this week of scandal for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, was the head of DPKO, Herve Ladsous. He is, in the French way, on vacation; Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told Inner City Press thatLadsous had not even spoken with Ban about the scandal.
When Ban emerged from the meeting, he declined press questions, pointing at Dujarric who was behind him in the entourage. But Dujarric left unanswered basic requests for information, such as how many sexual abuse complaints have been filed against UN missions in DRC, Darfur and Haiti.
The goal, it seems, was to put the scandal into the past by firing a single individual, Babacar Gaye, the head of the mission in CAR. (His replacement, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, was already in the August 13 meeting.)
Last month's Security Council president told the press that this months president, Joy Ugwu of Nigeria, would be coming to the UNTV stakeout to provide a summary of the meeting. Then it was said that Ogwu would stakeout along with the US Ambassador, Samantha Power. Then finally, only Samantha Power spoke. Video here.
Power's new spokesperson pointedly allowed only three questions, from Reuters (who she'd called on for Power's most recent stakeout on August 7, here), Associated Press (which also asked about ISIS and an upcoming Arria formula meeting about LGTBI) and finally... the Wall Street Journal.
Inner City Press asked, as it would have asked Joy Ogwu, if making troop contributing countries disclose whether they prosecute suspects and the results was discussed. Power's spokesperson said pointedly, I've already called on [Reuters.] The rest of the press corps was there, apparently, just as extras to make it look free-wheeling.
And so after entirely predictable hand-picked questions, Inner City Press asked Power, on the mass rapes in Tabit in Darfur, has anything been done? The question was perfectly audible. But there was no answer.
Here's why it's important: many on the Security Council including the US spoke a lot about UN Peacekeeping's cover-up of rapes in Tabit in Darfur last year. But nothing has been done: no one disciplined, much less fired. If there was no follow through on that, how will there be on this?
Relatedly, while much is made of trying to get European countries to contribute more troops to UN Peacekeeping, the French government did nothing about allegations its soldiers raped children in CAR, which that government received from the UN's Ander Kompass in July 2014. So how would their inclusion automatically make things better?
These are questions that should be answered, or at least allowed. These are questions that will be pursued. Watch this site.
UNITED NATIONS, July 8 -- While refusing to answer questions about any protection of civilians in South Sudan, or about his role in covering up French soldiers' rape of children in the Central African Republic, the reclusive head of UN Peacekeeping Herve Ladsous on July 8 spoon-fed a "small group of reporters" his views on South Sudan.
Ladsous did not speak at the UNTV stakeout, as his also French predecessors Alain Le Roy and Jean-Marie Guehenno did; he refused to answer Inner City Press about any steps to protect civilians at Malakal, nor if Ban Ki-moon's Panel on the CAR rapes has spoken to him yet.
Instead, hours after Ladsous scurried from the Security Council to the elevator without answering, ever-pliant US Voice of America channeled his quotes to a "small group of reporters." But Reuters had already channeled Ladsous at the Council stakeout, asking about his (non-public) call. This is how propaganda works, and how rapes like in Bangui and Tabit in Dafur and Minova in DRC before it are covered up.
Ladsous is destroying not only UN Peacekeeping -- do a News search, it's mostly about sexual abuse -- but also other sections of the UN world. And the scribes just keep channeling. Watch this site.
The UN Security Council on July 1 imposed sanctions including a travel ban on six South Sudan individuals, for only one of which the UN has a passport number listed. Travel ban on non-travelers?
Hours later, UN Secretary General issued a statement condemning an attack on the UN's Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, specifically asking for an investigation from Riek Machar and Johnson Olony.
But on July 8, after UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous briefed the Security Council behind closed doors about South Sudan, and Inner City Press asked him about Malakal when he came out of the Council, Ladsous refused to answer. Periscope video here for now. (He also refused to answer if the Central African Republic sexual abuse investigation panel has spoken with him yet.)
So when the Security Council's president for July Gerard van Bohemen of New Zealand came to the stakeout, Inner City Press asked him if Malakal and how the UN can better protect civilians was discussed. He answered that this was not discussed in the consultation; neither was Riek Machar's public comments that fighting will continue as long as Salva Kiir, whose term expires on July 8, remains in power. Periscope video here, for now.
Inner City Press Q: On South Sudan, as to UNMIS, was there a discussion of the incident in Malakal where an IDP was killed? And, Riek Machar has said he’ll keep fighting as long as Salva Kiir stays in power, and that Salva Kiir's term expires today, July 8. Did this come up?
A: Neither of those specific situations have been discussed today.
How could neither of this -- the Machar comments and especially the killing at Malakal and how the UN could do better -- have been raised by or to Ladsous? We'll be seeking more on this - and on the CAR sexual abuse panel. Watch this site.
Of the UNSC sancctions, one of those now sanctioned, without a listed passport, is Peter Gadet, regarding whom Inner City Press has previously asked the US State Department, here. The individual WITH the passport is Marial Chanuong Yol Mangok, Passport no.: R00005943, South Sudan. Here's the full list, from US Ambassador Samantha Power's July 1 statement:
"Today, the Security Council took strong action in support of a peaceful end to the conflict in South Sudan by sanctioning six South Sudanese individuals for fueling the ongoing conflict and contributing to the devastating humanitarian crisis in their country.
Major-General Marial Chanuong Yol Mangok; Lieutenant-General Gabriel Jok Riak; Major-General Santino Deng Wol; Major-General Simon Gatwech Dual; Major-General James Koang Chuol; and Major-General Peter Gadet will now be subject to a global travel ban and asset freeze for their contributions to a conflict that has left more than 6.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and forced more than 2 million from their homes."
Back on May 20, six days after the UN's envoy to South Sudan Ellen Loj spoke to the Security Council and to the Press at the Council stakeout on May 14, on the evening of May 20 the US State Department issued a statement about violence in South Sudan:
"The United States condemns the intensified fighting and violence in Unity, Upper Nile, and Jonglei states in South Sudan by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, the armed opposition, and forces led by General Johnson Olony that have led to massive new developments and had a devastating effect on civilians. We call on all armed groups to immediately halt offensive actions taken in contravention of the January 2014 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
Violations of international humanitarian norms, including the outright targeting of civilians already vulnerable to greater harm, especially women and children, and grave human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law by all sides are unacceptable. The international community will hold those who perpetrate such abuses and violations to account. We call on all sides to silence the guns immediately, permit the UN Mission in South Sudan to investigate the sites of all alleged human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, and allow all humanitarian workers immediate, free and unobstructed access to conflicted-affected communities regardless of their locations.
The human, social, and economic costs of this war have been devastating and the long-suffering people of South Sudan will also bear the brunt of the potential long-term consequences of this escalating fighting. Any damage to South Sudan’s oil infrastructure is an additional life-long wound to the people and jeopardizes South Sudan’s development and rebuilding. These resources belong to all South Sudanese people and the needs of the nation should be prioritized over the violent intentions of a few.
We will continue to work for a better future for all South Sudanese citizens and condemn those that intentionally jeopardize their collective future." Inner City Press on May 15 asked Loj about the UN Mission in South Sudan base in Bentiu, and more generally about proposals to lift UN immunity, called Code Blue, in the wake of the alleged rape of children in Central African Republic by French "peacekeepers" in the Sangaris force, allegedly covered up by French UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous. (While the Security Council, on which France has one of five permanent veto-wielding seats, has taken no action on this issue, the General Assembly's Fifth (Budget) Committee has summoned Ban Ki-moon's chief of staff to a close door meeting, as Inner City Press first reported.)
The Council's statement mentions for example the UNMISS camp at Bentiu, but none of the issues raised to and by Loj at her May 14 stakeout and May 15 press conference. Video here.
Loj acknowledged that the new Bentiu camp she had referred to the day prior was not yet ready, and that SPLA intelligence are sometimes in front of the existing camp. She again noted camp residents, not only in Bentiu but also in Juba, cutting the wires of the fence. Afterward, her and one of Ladsous' spokespeople said that journalists are free to visit the Bentui camp (although Inner City Press and the Free UN Coalition for Access have heard differently; we hope to have more on this.)
Here is the Security Council's May 17 press statement:
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Raimonda Murmokaité (Lithuania):
On 14 May, the members of the Security Council were briefed by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ellen Margrethe Løj on the situation in South Sudan.
The members of the Security Council expressed condemnation at the renewed and ongoing large-scale violence in Unity State caused by the recent Government of South Sudan offensive and resulting in the displacement of more than 100,000 civilians and the suspension of nearly all activity and delivery of aid to populations in the affected areas, over 300,000 civilians, by humanitarian agencies and organizations. The members of the Security Council further expressed their condemnation of the large-scale attack initiated on 15 May by the SPLM/A (in Opposition) on the town of Malakal, in Upper Nile State.
The members of the Security Council underlined their grave concern that as a result of violence and increased insecurity since the beginning of the conflict, more than 50,000 internally displaced persons have sought shelter and assistance at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) camp in Bentiu, and an additional nearly 25,000 at the UNMISS camp in Malakal, only further magnifying a dire humanitarian crisis.
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the repeated violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement accepted and signed by the Republic of South Sudan and the SPLM/A (in Opposition) on 23 January 2014, and underscored that there is no military solution to this conflict that has now lasted more than 17 months.
The members of the Security Council called upon all parties to engage meaningfully in the peace process so as to bring about a political solution to the crisis and an end to the conflict. They acknowledged the IGAD-led peace process and urged renewed regional and international efforts to swiftly implement a common plan and to table a reasonable and comprehensive solution to end the crisis in South Sudan. In this context, they reiterated their willingness to impose sanctions against those who threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan as established in resolution 2206 (2015), and noted the 24 March 2015 African Union Peace and Security Council Communiqué on South Sudan and the 12 May 2015 African Union Commission Chairperson’s Statement on South Sudan in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for UNMISS peacekeepers and for the vital mandate they are performing under very difficult conditions, including to protect civilians in South Sudan. They demanded that all parties end intimidation and harassment against UNMISS and humanitarian personnel, cease ongoing restrictions on freedom of movement, and allow UNMISS to fully implement its mandate. They further demanded full adherence to the Status of Forces Agreement and permission for the deployment of essential assets and enablers currently being blocked by the Government of South Sudan. The members of the Security Council underscored the importance of close cooperation and communication between UNMISS and the Government in addressing these issues.
The members of the Security Council condemned, and reiterated their demand for an immediate end to, all human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. They reiterated that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights must be held accountable and that the Government of South Sudan bears the primary responsibility to protect civilians within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, including from potential crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The Security Council renewed its calls for the parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the full, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel, equipment and supplies to all those in need and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance in accordance with relevant provisions of international law and United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance.
Loj said that as a former diplomat she did not favor any blanket lifting of immunity. She said she has taken sexual abuse seriously, then said she is strict about curfew. One was left wondering how the UN will reform itself, if it ever will. Let's see how you write this up, Loj genially said. Well here it is.
Loosely transcribed by Inner City Press (video here), Loj replied on May 14
"Let me say what UNMIS has undertaken in collaboration with IOM [the International Organization for Migration]. Primarily the project is primarily financed by the Dutch government. It’s actually a new site for the camp, on higher ground and with better drainage, because the Bentiu camp was totally flooded during the last rainy season. That work is being undertaken as of this week. We are hoping to get it finished…
As far as the fence, the problem with the fence is not that UNMIS is not putting up the fence. It’s that even if the fence were there, the problem with the fence is that the IDPs themselves cross the fence in order to sneak out...
Yes, we have had troubles with the SPLA, right outside the gates, and we have tried to solve it...We are doing our utmost to ensure that nobody enters the camp with weapons. We are doing regular searches in all camps … for alcohol and illegal substances…"
She then said that UNMISS installed lights, but people break them. There was more to ask, including from great reporters on the bround. Inner City Press asked for another question but was told no, to ask on May 15. Watch this site.
After the May 14 stakeout, Loj told a story about UN staff in Liberia telling her all about Inner City Press, which after time she associated with her time on the UN Security Council. She has seen the UN from that position and now two countries.
UNITED NATIONS, June 18 --With scandals surrounding UN Peacekeeping, from covering up child rape by French “peacekeepers” in the Central African Republic to buying sex in Haiti and selling UN Police jobs in the DR Congo, on June 18 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was scheduled to give a speech to UN Force Commanders in Conference Room 9 of UN Headquarters in an open meeting, following a public photo-op with the commanders.
But when Inner City Press showed up for the photo op, UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous directed one of his officials to tell Inner City Press to leave.
Inner City Press refused, noting that Ban Ki-moon's appearance was listed in the online Media Alert of the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU). Nevertheless, Ladsous' official insisted, and Ladsous himself began to film Inner City Press with his phone.
When Ban Ki-moon and his security detail of at least four arrived, they proceeded into Conference Room 9, as did Inner City Press accompanied by a MALU staff member and a staffer from UN Photo. But just as Ban Ki-moon began speaking, two of his security officers came over and told Inner City Press to leave. In the hall they said that “the organizer” -- Ladsous -- had ordered it.
Inner City Press asked, if some UN official tells you to throw out the media, you just do it? "If he told you to throw me on the ground, would you throw me on the ground?"
“Somebody doesn't have to tell me to throw you on the ground, if I've got to put you on the ground, I put you on the ground,” came the response. Periscope video here.
Another security officer said, at this point the media is not coming in. That's it.
This is called censorship. And it happened right in front of Ban Ki-moon.
The old UN Correspondents Association has said nothing, just as they said nothing and more when Ladsous said he would not answer Inner City Press and Ban's spokesmandecided not to call on Inner City Press to put a question to Ladsous, on the CAR rapes and cover up. The new Free UN Coalition for Access has demanded an explanation and response from MALU and the Department of Public Information above it. A senior UN official told Inner City Press, “There is no court.”
This use of UN Security is ironic, given that as Inner City Press reported on June 17 and asked Ban's deputy spokesman about on June 18, Ban shook hands in the UN in Geneva with a person on the US Al-Qaeda terrorist list,photo here. But today's UN has become the source of lawless censorship, amid its scandals. Watch this site.
UNITED NATIONS, May 28 -- This year's “International Day of the Peacekeeper” is different than the others since the day was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002.
UN Peacekeeping finds itself being asked to leave countries, not only Sudan but also the Democratic Republic of the Congo; its chief Herve Ladsous had a spat this months with the president of Mali, and berated Malians for not offering enough thanks not to the UN, but to his native France. This is the state of UN Peacekeeping.
In the Central African Republic, the UN didn't even tell the government of Catherine Samba-Panza when it had evidence of the sexual abuse of CAR children by French peacekeepers. UN staffer Anders Kompass leaked the report -- and, he says, was urged to resign by the USG of DPKO -- that is, Ladsous.
But on the CAR rape story, Ladsous turned around with three words: “I deny that.” Then he reverted to refusing to answer questions.
But what is it, that Ladous denies? That he used the word “resign”? The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights did not dispute Kompass' statement that Ladsous urged him to resign The UN System has acknowledged it as true; Ladsous, perhaps realizing too late its implications for himself, belatedly denied it.
UNITED NATIONS, April 28 -- Why do some events or speakers inside the UN building get shunted off into a private club, not filmed or webcast by UN Television, while others are in public?
On April 29, there are open UN Press Briefing Room press conferences by two governments -- Ukraine at 2:30 and Argentina at 3:30 -- and one non-governmental group, the opposition Syrian Coalition, at 5:30 pm.
More troublingly, UNCA and its board members have tried to get the investigative Press, which along with the new Free UN Coalition for Accesschallenged and still challenges Ladsous on his cover up of rapes in Darfur as well as Minova, thrown out of the UN. Is this the right venue, including on the criteria of trying to make the information widely available?
If any member state asked for the UN Press Briefing Room, the Congolese doctor and his two co-panelists could hold their press conference open to all, webcast to the world. Was no country willing to do it? (Ladsous refused to answer Inner City Press' question about what UN Peacekeeping and MONUSCO did for the doctor's clinic, when the government of Joseph Kabila froze its bank account, video here).
UNITED NATIONS, April 15 -- Amid the speeches on Sexual Violence and Conflict in the UN Security Council on April 15, abuses by and covered up by the UN's own peacekeepers were barely mentioned. The principle of "Doctor Heal Thyself," as soon often at the UN, was ignored.
On November 9, 2014, peacekeepers went to Tabit in Darfur where hundreds of rapes are alleged to have occurred, then issued a press release that the residents got along well with Sudanese security forces.
The press release has never been retracted, and the UN has not regained access to Tabit. Inner City Press has repeated asked UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous about it, as about his previous cover up of rapes by the Congolese Army in Minova, but Ladsous openly refuses to answer Press questions.
Relatedly, Ladsous refused to answer on a damning internal UN report on sexual abuse BY peacekeepers which was leaked this year by AIDS Free World.
Inner City Press asked the UN's Zainab Bangura about both on April 14.
Bangura to her credit does answer questions. On Tabit, she seemed genuine engaged, having for example raised the issue to a Sudanese minister who came to the UN for the Status of Women meetings recently. But once Ladsous' UNAMID did the first cover-up, the decision had been made.
This made Bangura's second answer all the more troubling. The damning internal UN report went ONLY to Ladsous' DPKO, and DFS which he dominated, and not to Bangura's office.
How can the UN have an Office on Sexual Violence and Conflict which does NOT cover abuses by its own peacekeepers and personnel? Well, it's like the UN impunity for bringing cholera to Haiti: do what I say, not what I do. The problem is, more and more people see what is going on. Watch this site.
As Inner City Press has exposed this year, UN Peacekeeping positions in Haiti and the DR Congo were sold by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Cote d'Ivoire, who remains in his position in UN Headquarters with no punishment, even a promotion to charge d'affaires. That OIOS report was put online by Inner City Press here.
On March 16 AIDS-Free World leaked a November 2013 report on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in four UN missions under the control of Herve Ladsous, including those in Haiti and DR Congo, as well as South Sudan and Liberia. That report is online here.
The person ultimately responsible for both scandals, Herve Ladsous, refused to answer the Press' question about the sexual abuse report, video here. Inner City Press asked the UN's deputy spokesperson about it, too, transcript below.
When Ladsous on March 17 came to the UN Security Council stakeout, it was ostensibly to answer questions. Before he even arrived, his spokesman told the UN Television boom microphone operator "Follow my directions" - a way used by Ladsous to avoid critical Press questions, compilation here.
On March 17, Inner City Press asked Ladsous directly about the sexual abuse report, video here. He walked away and up the stairs - merci!
Inner City Press: I'm hoping you have something on this. In connection with the Secretary-General's report on sexual abuse and exploitation in UN peacekeeping missions, the group Aids-Free World run by former UN official Stephen Lewis has released the expert team report which sort of underlies and is referred to in the Secretary-General's report and which seems to say that impunity is more the rule. It talks about particular missions and a culture of impunity and disdain, for example, in Haiti. And I just wonder what… basically Aids-Free World is pointing out and saying that the public report is inconsistent with the underlying private report which is now distributed to Member States. What is the response of the Secretariat to that?
Deputy Spokesman Haq: Well, it's not a question of a public report and a private report so much as it is two different documents going to two different audiences. The Secretary-General's special report about sexual exploitation and sexual abuse is… has… is prepared by the Department of Management. It has input, significant input from the Department of Field Support, and it goes out as a document, as it has done. The other report that Mr. Lewis was referring to, the report of the team of experts, was prepared at the request of and for the use of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Peacekeeping… Department of Field Support. And that was an internal document that went to them. They're two different things. The team of experts report is an internal document that was intended to serve as one element of information and would help to provide some lessons learned and some best practices from within the Organization. And then it could be drawn on by the two Departments in their own work, and in fact, they have been drawing on that, trying to get some valuable information out of that and then help feed in that into other reports including the one that the Secretary-General has put out.
Inner City Press: Right. But, it seems like the one the Secretary-General puts out says that the underlying report has been addressed and Aids-Free World points out to at least six things that haven't been addressed, as the first example, that the internal report says that there's fear due to a stigmatizing of whistle-blower, that there's a reason that the numbers are low and they go through various reasons. So, what was done to address that… in terms of giving whistle-blowers greater assurance that if they come forward, they can speak? That's just one example.
Deputy Spokesman Haq: There's a number of follow-up activities. So, each recommended proposal requires some level of consultation and engagement with Member States and other stakeholders, and we're in the process of doing that. But, the whole idea is to take all the various recommendations and follow up on all of them so we actually can move ahead on all the various issues. And in terms of being able to help make sure that people will be free to speak out, we have also tried to take different steps to safeguard those who do speak out, and we do have whistle-blower protections in place and we'll continue to strengthen them and we rely on reports like this to give us the sort of information we need to improve how that… how those mechanisms are implemented, so that they can be as strong as possible for potential whistle-blowers.
Inner City Press: One last thing. They seem to say that the failure to kind of name names, basically that the punishment for sexual abuse is simply repatriation with no public reporting on what happens back home, is a major problem and basically doesn't create enough disincentive to engage in this abuse. What has the Secretary-General done on this longstanding problem since this was announced… and I'll just ask as one sample case: there was this Canadian gentleman that was sent back from MINUSTAH [United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti] to Canada and there was no… I asked in this room UNPOL and DPKO whatever happened, and they have been unwilling. Is there a policy of not saying if someone was disciplined or not, or if they were cleared, if that was the case?
Deputy Spokesman: No, no, we try to follow up on cases. It takes time ,of course, for different cases to be resolved so that's part of the process itself. But, at the same time, we try to deal with individual troop-contributing countries and other people who provide us with personnel to make sure that if anyone is culpable for any offence, that there is accountability in their cases, and we do have follow-through to make sure that the individual States follow up on their various personnel.
While the leaked report speaks for itself -- and will be further inquired into by Inner City Press -- several things jump out. Only the the atmosphere of armed conflict in Eastern Congo and South Sudan keep the sexual abuse by peacekeeper numbers down, as there is distance from the local population.
In Haiti by contrast there is a perception of it as a “vacation location;” what the report called a “sovereignty sensitivity” only makes things more explosive.
Things are even worse than the report describes: UN Peacekeeping under Herve Ladsous covered up rapes by its partners in Minova in the DRC (see videos here) and now in Tabit in Darfur, which increases the atmosphere of impunity.
In UN Peacekeeping under Herve Ladsous, positions in missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti were corruptly put up for sale, a 49-page “Strictly Confidential” UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) report obtained and exclusively published by Inner City Press on February 7 shows.
Despite the various UN answers to Inner City Press set forth below, the Cote d'Ivoire diplomat Bafetegue Ouattara depicted by OIOS soliciting and accepting the bribe is still inside UN headquarters -- now, as Inner City Press asked UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric without response, as "Charge d'Affaires" on charge of the mission.
In a March 13 report (in French), BBC links former Permanent Representative Bamba's ouster to the Ivorian Mission saying Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa in a meeting of the UN General Assembly's Fourth Committee back on October 13, 2014. (That was, of course, the Cote d'Ivoire government's position under Laurent Gbagbo, contrary to France's position.)
Unlike, for example, The Independent (here, crediting Inner City Press), BBC entirely misses the scandal of DPR Ouattara being exposed for selling UN positions but having more support in President Ouattara's inner circle, Ibrahim Ouattara (known as "photocopie" due to his resemblance to his brother, President Alassane Ouattara) and two ministers, Mamadi Diane and Roland Adjo-Lessing, see below.
On March 6, when Michaëlle Jean, Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, held a press conference, she said her organization is involved in UN Peacekeeping missions.
Inner City Press ran from the Security Council stakeout to the UN Press Briefing Room and asked if this Francophone connection in UN Peacekeeping should be cleaned up. Video here.
Ms. Jean said it did not have to do with language. Perhaps not language - though other diplomats at the UN have asked why the damning OIOS report was only in French. But will it be cleaned up?
In fact, he has gotten a promotion, to "charge d'affaires" with his putative boss Permanent Representative Yousoufou Bamba said on his way out. The question arises: why is Bamba and not the bribe-taker being removed?
Who is protecting Bafetegue Ouattara?
Inner City Press is infromed that Bafetegue Ouattara's defenders include Ibrahim Ouattara (known as "photocopie" due to his resemblance to his brother, President Alassane Ouattara) and two ministers, Mamadi Diane and Roland Adjo-Lessing.
But what does all this mean for Ouattara's stated commitment to accountability, even for those in his party?
What also is the position of France, which has run UN Peacekeeping the last four times in a row and holds the presidency of the UN Security Council this month -- though Ambassador Francois Delattre has said "I have to run" the first two times Inner City Press asked a question, on Burundi and Mali; video here, Vine here. This will be a good one to answer. Watch this site.
As to Bafetegue Ouattara, despite its own evidence showing the bribes and sale of UN posts, the UN's OIOS didn't make any recommendation about him, nor recommend any changes so it or the UN could.
Now Inner City Press has learned that a replacement for the head of OIOS Carman Lapoint is being sought. The process to select the next holder of this lone UN oversight position should be transparent, so that real oversight can begin. We'll have more on this.
On February 16 The Independent followed up, crediting Inner City Press and quoting an unnamed UN spokesman that "we cannot and should not pre-judge the results of the national investigation" and that "there are 36 UN police officers from the Ivory Coast deployed to the mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 60 to the operation in Haiti."
Question: I wanted to ask about the OIOS [Office for Internal Oversight Services] report about acceptance of bribes for UN police posts that I asked about last week, yesterday The Independent published a story on it. They quoted a UN spokesman. I don't know if it was you or Stéphane [Dujarric]. But, what I wanted to ask you about was the substance of it. It said, “We cannot and should not prejudge the international investigation.” Since the OIOS report has bank records and you've already taken action, apparently, and repatriated 10 police officers, doesn't the UN think its own report is true? So, what does it mean to say that… is Côte d’Ivoire supposed to reinvestigate the case before taking action on the Deputy Permanent Representative? And, finally, they also mention there are 36 Ivoirian police officers in MONUSCO and 60 in MINUSTAH [United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti]. How many have actually been repatriated? Thanks.
Deputy Spokesman Haq: Well, regarding that, basically, once the OIOS report was received, we took decisive measures, including ordering the repatriation of all the UN police officers who were involved. All those officers involved are either gone or in the process of leaving the peacekeeping operations on which they served, which is to say MONUSCO and MINUSTAH. Beyond that, no police from Côte d’Ivoire will be extended beyond their current assignments and deployment of any subsequent Ivoirian police to UN operations has been suspended until confirmation from Côte d’Ivoire that action has been taken on the OIOS investigation. And regarding… and regarding the quotes that you had referred to, yes, we're not going to prejudge the results of the national investigation, which the UN has asked the Member State to conduct. We've insisted that the investigation be very thorough and comprehensive. We've stressed that the UN should be kept fully informed of the results of the Member State’s investigation and that necessary action should be taken as a result. But, saying that, now, of course, it's up to them to do it and we won't prejudge the results of their actions.
Inner City Press: I guess it's actions versus investigation. You stand behind your own report since you've already sent police officers home based on it, right?
Deputy Spokesman Haq: Yes, of course. The people who were found in the internal investigation to have received improper assistance in getting their jobs, those are… like I said, I've either all left or in the process of leaving.
On the last line, we're left assuming that "I've either all left" means "they've either all left." But how many have left?
And why has the Cote d'Ivoire Deputy Permanent Representative who sold UN Peacekeeping posts not been declared Persona Non Grata by the US, which says it cares about peacekeeping and UN reform?
The UN strip searched and PNG-ed Indian diplomat Khobragade for an employment dispute. Here an Ivorian diplomat has sold posts in UN Peacekeeping. Where's the PNG?
Tellingly, after the Press' exclusive February 7 exposure of corruption in Herve Ladsous' UN Peacekeeping, its asking about it at the February 9 UN noon briefing and even the UN's long statement in spin and response at the February 10 noon briefing, UN insiders and Ladsous corruption enablers like Reuters and Agence France Presse reported not a word about the corruption.
On February 12, despite the UN investigative report depicting in detail Cote d'Ivoire's Deputy Permanent Representative Bafetegue Ouattara soliciting and taking bribes to sell posts in Ladsous' MONUSCO and MINUSTAH missions, Inner City Press ran into Bafetegue Ouattara in the basement of the UN, by the garage. After an exchange of words, including a demand to know who leaked the report to Inner City Press (demand rejected), at noon Inner City Press asked, video here:
Inner City Press: the corruption one is as follows: It has to do with that OIOS [Office of Internal Oversight Services] report that was leaked showing the payment of bribes for peacekeeping posts. I’d asked Farhan, but I wanted to ask you more because, this morning, I actually ran into the named deputy representative of Côte d’Ivoire, Bafetegue Ouattara, in the building, and since this report, which began in 2013 and was finalized in 2014, has banking records proof of the payment of bribes for peacekeeping posts, I just wondered what does the UN do? I understand that the peacekeepers have been asked to return home, but the person who solicited and took bribes… does the UN have no recourse at all?
Spokesman Dujarric: You know, as you well know… As you well know, diplomats are sent here by their Governments. We have no authority over them. It is up to national Governments to take action against these, against individuals.
Inner City Press: Is there nothing that a diplomat could do even inside this building that the UN would take action on? This was soliciting bribes for UN posts.
Spokesman: As I said, this person works for the Government of the Côte d’Ivoire, it would be up to them to take appropriate action.
So again - there is NOTHING that a diplomat couldn't do at the UN? It cannot be said that this UN has zero tolerance for corruption - far from it. Later on February 12, UN Peacekeeping chief Ladsous, who refuses to answer any Press questions, was hobnobbing with diplomats in the Delegates' Entrance to the UN General Assembly. We'll have more on this.
Inner City Press: Do you think that this… the panel on peacekeeping operations under [José] Ramos-Horta, is this the type of obviously kind of hole in the system that was exploited for personal gain that should be reviewed?
Deputy Spokesman Haq: This is a clear-cut case of corruption which was found by our Office for Internal Oversight Services, and we're following up on that. Clearly, quite a good measure of the follow-up also needs to be handled by the Member State involved.
But there are many unresolved questions; watch this site.
Two days after that exclusive, on February 9 Inner City Press asked UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq for the response of UN Peacekeeping, whose chief Herve Ladsous since Inner City Press raised corruption has refused all Press questions, specifically what Ladsous has done in the ten months he has been on notice of this corruption, as shown by the leaked documents. February 9 video here.
On February 10, UN deputy spokesperson Haq came to the noon briefing with a prepared answer, which he read out. February 10 video here. He said that further recruitment of UN Police for Cote d'Ivoire has been suspended pending that country taking action.
Inner City Press asked if all ten police described as paying bribes have been repatriated, for the status of the Deputy Permanent Representative Ouattara shown taking bribes, and if inquiries have been made with other countries which send soldiers or police to the UN.
Haq said that the ten have left or are in the process of leaving. Six months after the final report? "In the process of leaving"?
Worse, Haq said it is up to Cote d'Ivoire if the Deputy Permanent Representative remains in his post at and in the UN. Isn't collective bribes for UN posts a crime? And not only in Cote d'Ivoire?
Inner City Press asked Haq if this obvious loophole allowing corruption will be reviewed by Ban Ki-moon's panel of Peace Operations, to which Inner City Press has already forwarded the OIOS report. Video here.
Another question that has been raised to Inner City Press by diplomats after reading the exclusive is whether Ladsous had a duty, at least before the UN Security Council's trip to Haiti last month led by Chile and the US to tell Council members that bribes had been collected for positions in the MINUSTAH mission there.
Haq told Inner City Press that "this was corruption found by our own internal oversight." But the report says the UN's OIOS "received" information about these possibly corrupt practices on July 24, 2013. We'll have more on this.
