In Other Media-eg New Statesman, AJE, FP, Georgia, NYT,  Azerbaijan, CSM Click here to contact us     .

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive Patreon

UN GATE, Nov 13 -- In South Sudan, where security workers have sent a petition to the UN, see below and here, the UN's celebration of Peacekeepers Day included a Salva Kiir general who is on the UN's own sanctions list, Malek Reuben Riak. And now this scam recruitment in UNMISS for the UN Department of Safety and Security, of which Antonio Guterres has put Gilles Michaud in charge in order to send false reports to the Press he bans, see below.

 Now on November 13 from US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, this: "The United States is gravely disappointed with the failure of President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to agree on the formation of a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity by the established deadline of November 12.  Their inability to achieve this basic demonstration of political will for the people of South Sudan calls into question their suitability to continue to lead the nation’s peace process.  In light of this development, the United States will reevaluate its relationship with the Government of South Sudan.  We will work bilaterally and with the international community to take action against all those impeding South Sudan’s peace process.  The United States looks to work in partnership with the region to establish a new paradigm to achieve peace and a successful political transition in South Sudan and will continue to stand with the people of South Sudan during this difficult period."

  On November 11 after Guterres wasted money on a murky trip to Lisbon to hear fado, from his deputy spokesman Farhan Haq who refused to answer about the trip or UN rapes, this: "The Secretary-General welcomes the decision of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers, further to the agreement by the South Sudanese parties under the auspices of Uganda and Sudan, to extend the pre-transitional period for an additional 100 days.     The Secretary-General urges the parties to use this extension to make further progress on critical benchmarks, including security arrangements and the number and boundaries of states, to allow for the formation of an inclusive transitional government of national unity. The Secretary-General also urges the Government of South Sudan to support the process by releasing the pledged amount of $100 million through a transparent and accountable mechanism.     As IGAD has underscored, face-to-face meetings of the leadership of the parties will continue to be crucial in maintaining momentum. The Secretary-General reaffirms the critical importance of the role of IGAD and the African Union in the political process, and the continued readiness of the United Nations to support their efforts.      Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General  New York, 11 November 2019." Total fraud.

 The petition exclusively published by Inner City Press: "Recruitment fraud in the selection of Chief Security Officer position  in UNMISS     Department of Field Service (DFS)  did not have adequate controls and mechanisms in place for planning, monitoring and reporting of chief security officer activities and recruitments. Igor Mitrokhin of UNDSS from Russia  is pushing David Shearer, SRSG of UNMISS and Principal Security Advisor, Graeme to take Nikolay Kovalev of Russia at all cost disregarding all rules. Mr. Nikolay had no roster before  and JO was issued for 3rd time  after he got the roster. The exam questions were leaked from IGOR to NIKOLAY to put him in the roster so that he can push him to be a candidate for P-5 position. Most staff considers human resources management to be an important area as it directly affects the lives and interest of staff. Past oversight activities have identified a number of  frauds in UNMISS selection process. For example, staff rules and regulations were subjected to misinterpretation; staff entitlements and selections have proved vulnerable to fraud; and recruitment practices have in a number of cases deemed  biased and  mismanaged. The Succession of  Planning Panel, which was established by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in 2004 to review the skills, competencies and experience of each candidate for key Chief Security Officer position in field missions, could be used as an effective mechanism for the technical clearance of senior staff member’s appointment. However, the selection of Chief Security Officer  does not appear to be as effective as it could be. For example, documentation has been insufficient, and no Panel establishment for CSO selection . According to the Department, its ability to present more than one candidate for CSO positions was severely hampered by heavy handed UNDSS officials  . The Department of Management and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations have not ensured the consistency, timeliness and adequate documentation of the required designation of staff with significant fiduciary responsibilities for CSO. DFS should reconsider this CSO selection process without having any discrimination race and religion. "

  Previously the spokesmen for Guterres have refused to explain why the sanctioned general was celebrated inside the UNMISS compound, nor to say where Guterres is, spending public money.  Now they have been asked about the above.

  Speaking of money, Inner City Press' sources in Juba have sent it a copy of a petition sent to the UN, and  see below.

  Now with not a single answer from the UN to multiple written questions, from banned Inner City Press' sources in South Sudan, more: "Poor private Security employees will be replaced  with SPLA military people if they do not stop requesting their right. They need helping hand. How UN will accept  to be guarded by SPLA military while most of military personnel are  sanctioned and wanted by ICC. It will open for criminality and staff member will be exposed."

Earlier also exclusive to Inner City Press, this: "UN Security firm employees in South Sudan continue strike  for third day  demanding  fair payment .The Employees of the security firm, Insight, have staged peaceful protest, demanding payment of their salaries in US dollars as indicated in the contract. United Nations Mission in South Sudan had a contract agreement withInsight with the total amount payable by UNMISS for initial $11,055,893.80 per year. There are 6000 thousand guards in South Sudan and UN is paying per one guard almost 600 USD and per one Supervisor 900 USD per month to the company.

However, the company is getting huge amount of money and paying 200 USD per month for each guards. The duty of the United Nations is to stabilize the country. One of the main tasks and goals is to fight labor exploitation. The United Nations fired a number of national staff member and handed the contract to the private company promoting labor exploitation is very disturbing. Those UNDSS officials   who advised the senior managers are short sighted , corrupted and unprofessional. UN Policy approaches can be tailored to a country’s level of development and economic structure. On focusing the stability of South Sudan, it is more important to work   on providing and facilitating   wealth distribution, public services and social transfers that can raise incomes at the bottom and support access to the labor market.  This will help to reduce the gap between the have   and have-nots and  help young South Sudanese to think of building their country in the future . It enhances stability and security of the country . Currently, one USD is 300 SSP in black market. However, the company is   paying the guards   in the rate of 165 SSP while changing the rate in the black market. This is totally labor exploitation and against the norms of the United Nations. UN cannot say this is non of my business to deal with unfair treatment   while people are over exploited. Some of the Insight security personnel expressed their grievances that  they have been on a strike since day before  because their  demand has not been fulfilled. They had asked to be paid in US Dollars as indicated in their contracts, but the administration refused to comply. We are being treated unfairly because staff from other nations is being paid in US dollars. What is the role of the united Nations in stabilizing the country if they can not think of wealth distribution. After exposing this over exploitation, the administration is working with some government officials to intimidate us by paying 100,000USD. Most of the government offices we visited are reluctant in addressing our grievances.  We request the United Nations to intervene to help us stop   labor exploitation and be paid fairly. The  revitalization of peace and the  reduction of inequality in South Sudan  requires political pressure, and the will and commitment  from all stake holders including the United Nations Mission In South Sudan."

  And here is the response by Guterres' head of Security Peter Drennan who ordered Inner City Press twice roughed up, 20 June 2018 and 3 July 2018 and never even answered his email despite a promise by UN official Jane Connosr:

"From: Peter Drennan <drennan@un.org>  2:58 PM (8 hours ago) To:  [redacted], matthewrlee [at] protonmail.com

 Drennan is entirely corrupt, profiles and has roughed up the Press, should never get another job in security anywhere and should be sued - and jailed.

 This was sent to Inner City Press: "It’s an unpalatable truth  that modern slavery in UNMISS.   Warrior Security workers face working conditions reminiscent of the days of slavery.   The UN DSS managers endorse modern slavery of exploitation and facilitating South African company to get the benefits.  All assigned here has a link with the company getting their benefits... The Warrior Security personnel are requesting the money to be paid in Dollar because the contract signed is in dollar and petitioned to all concerned.  The company in collaboration with UNMISS refuse to pay.  OIOS received information of irregularities in UNMISS officials involved in the exploitation of labor and misappropriation of funds.  UNMISS Managers provided logistical support to foreign businessmen engaged in  Security Company,  CCTV Camera and  Dog Search on doing business without any MOU.  No measure has been taken and all reports have been under cover."

And now the UNMISS circular to the staff regarding the strike, immediately sent to banned Inner City Press by UN staff disgusted by how corrupt and UN and UN DSS have become: "Please be advised that in view of the ongoing strike action by unarmed UN-contracted private security guards (Insight) in Juba, UN staff members are advised to take the following precautionary measures to forestall break-ins of accommodation:  · Do not leave anything valuable or attractive in the front porch (veranda). This includes food items, sneakers, shoes, bicycle, clothes, towels etc.  · Inside your living room, do not place valuable items close to the window.  · Ensure windows are closed at all times." Batten down the hatch - UN corrupt comes home to roost, though not yet for mansion dwelling Guterres.

  Telling of the rot of the UN under Guterres and his outgoing Global Censor Alison Smale, not only did the UN's Radio Miraya blithely ran this tweet, on May 29: "We salute the bravery and professionalism displayed by #UNMISS peacekeepers in #SouthSudan " - Dep Minister of Defence Lt Gen Malek Reuben Riak at #PKDay celebrations" - UNMISS' website apparently calls a war criminal a "bon vivant," like Guterres. The quoted article is by UNMISS' paid Public Information Officer Filip Andersson, his twitter account with a single tweet and 48 followers here. The public is paying for this - and for Guterres to fly to get an award for himself and then disappear for four days. Totally corrupt.

 ....Guterres' South Sudan rep David Shearer, in a briefing Guterres banned Inner City Press from for the 216th day, lied by omission. He was asked about the deaths of civilians, who was responsible - and said NOTHING about his peacekeepers killing two civilians. This is a new low for the UN, as was the briefing, with multiple softball questions by Agence France Presse -- "you're hogging the limelight," Shearer said -- after a first and last question given by Dujarric to his censorship partner James Bays of Al Jazeera. The only news was negative, or telling. Just like Guterres skipped the urgent UNSC meeting on Venezuela on January 26 to stay in his $15 million mansion, now Guterres will skip South Sudan on his next junket. But will he stop in Lisbon? Covered up by Dujarric and his partners: Guterres has been petitioned by the impacted community about the murder of Morris Kenyi Loburi and Legge Moses Kwatli, which he has so far covered up. Inner City Press has been obtained the petition by whistleblowers and now publishes it here, 3-page version here.

***

Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.

Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com

Past (and future?) UN Office: S-303, UN, NY 10017 USA
For now: Box 20047, Dag Hammarskjold Station NY NY 10017

Reporter's mobile (and weekends): 718-716-3540

Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.

 Copyright 2006-2019 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com for