| Amid UN South
Sudan Mission Sex Scandals
Limann Said to Connive to
Replace Haysom
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
UN GATE,
Nov 4 – How corrupt is today's
UN under Antonio
Guterres? A continuing
example is his mission in
South Sudan, UNMISS, about
which 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 there. A
week ago, Inner City Press
published this from a UN
whistleblower:
"Dear Mr. Matthew
Russell Lee:
Leda Limann, a
once unassuming Chief of
Staff, has orchestrated a
remarkable rise from P-3 to
D-2 within the United Nations
hierarchy—an ascent bolstered
by a network of influence and
high-level maneuvering.
Central to this elevation was
a former Chief of Staff, Paul
Egunsola,a Nigerian, an ally
who controversially extended
his tenure beyond the UN’s
mandatory retirement age of
65. The exceptional extension
was reportedly arranged to
secure Limann’s placement at
the D-2 level, positioning her
as his natural successor in
UNMISS. Even after
stepping down, this former
Chief of Staff continues to
wield influence from the
sidelines, recommending
candidates and securing
consultancy roles.
It is rumored
that he is now lobbying for
Leda to replace the
current Special Representative
of the Secretary-General
(SRSG), Nicholas Haysom, whose
apparent deference to Leda has
raised eyebrows. Insiders
claim she not only drafts but
also signs correspondence on
his behalf, highlighting the
extent of her authority.
Leda's influence
permeates personnel matters,
with significant control over
staff fates, including
dismissals. Her power has been
called into question amidst a
recent dispute with a
principal advisor of SRSG,
leading to claims that she
engineered a sexual misconduct
scandal to discredit him.
Described as unrelenting and
ruthless by colleagues,
Leda allegedly instructs
the Chief of Conduct and
Discipline on whom to shield
or penalize, depending on her
interests. Her selective
protectionism is
well-documented. During
Stephanie Scheer and Jennie
Frazer’s administration,
Limann intervened to save
Frederick SSAI from dismissal.
However, when her position
appeared threatened, her
loyalties shifted. Botswana
diplomat Boitshoko Mokgathe
and staffer Aggrey Kedogo have
both suffered from these
abrupt reversals.
Even as Kedogo
faced suspension amid an
investigation, whispers
suggest Leda made private
entreaties to
Under-Secretary-General
Catherine Pollard to save
him—an illustration of her
capricious approach. The
declining health of SRSG
Haysom, burdened by age and
cardiac complications, has
only cemented Leda's
grip on power. With Haysom
increasingly incapacitated,
she has assumed de facto
control, signing documents on
his behalf, which has sparked
criticism of oversight
failures in New York.
Allegations of recruitment
corruption, bribe-taking, and
romantic entanglements
involving Leda and
senior figures further
complicate the picture.
Among staff, tales of
Leda's dual nature have
become the stuff of legend.
Known as a Pastor
and to preach Scripture
around the compound, she often
quotes passages like John
15:12-13: “Greater love has no
one than this: to lay down
one’s life for one’s friends.”
Yet, her actions paint a
different story. One staff
member relayed a vivid
metaphor: a devil, it was
said, wept at her skill in
projecting goodness while
harbouring a perilous inner
resolve. Despite
widespread unease, Leda’s
support from influential
figures in New York, such as
Stephanie Scheer, Jennie
Frazer, and her former Chief
of Staff, remains unshaken.
Allegiances forged in Darfur
with confidants like Aggrey
and Victoria continue to
shield her from scrutiny. Many
staff question whether the
entrenched power dynamics and
the “deep-seat” circle of
protectors will ever be
dismantled, or if Leda’s
unchecked influence will
persist. It remains a
troubling paradox: a figure
who, while wielding absolute
power over others’ careers,
presents herself as a humble
servant seeking justice.
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.
And no answers from Spox Stephane
Dujarric and Melissa Fleming
We will have more
on this.
***
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
SDNY Press Room
500 Pearl Street, NY NY 10007 USA
Mail: Box 130222, Chinatown Station,
NY NY 10013
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 2006-2024 Inner City
Press, Inc. To request reprint or other
permission, e-contact Editorial [at]
innercitypress.com
|
,
