Auditors Find U.N. Squandered Millions in Sudan

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- Tens of millions of dollars have been wasted in peacekeeping operations in Sudan over the past three years according to a new report issued by the U.N. Office for International Oversight Services. The audit slams the U.N. for having poor internal control mechanisms and for tolerating mismanagement in the war-torn country.

U.N. auditors have identified dozens of irregularities according to The Washington Post, including an "exorbitant" rate on a contract to supply gravel for peacekeeping barracks and $1.2 million in "unnecessary expenditures" for block bookings of hotel rooms that the United Nations was unable to fill.

Several instances of corruption were also cited in the report, including U.N. purchasing agents diverting contracts to companies that provided visa sponsorships and inappropriate financial compensation.

Faith J.H. McDonnell, Director of IRD's Church Alliance for a New Sudan, commented:

"The greatest tragedy here is that a little money can go a long way in helping those Sudanese who are in need. While nonprofit aid organizations and churches can do wonders with just a few hundred or thousand dollars, the U.N. wastes millions. The lost opportunities are staggering.

"There are reports in Juba of U.N. workers served luxurious brunches by five-star chefs while southern Sudanese outside scramble to piece together paltry school tuition fees. It is nothing short of a travesty.

"Southern Sudan is really the best hope for peace in the entire country. Marginalized people groups are coming together with Southern Sudanese as never before. All Sudanese who want just peace, secular democracy, and religious freedom are counting on the U.N. and African Union forces to assist them in stabilizing and developing their country, not taking control from indigenous leaders and replaying the same corruption we've seen in many other countries."

Contact: Loralei Coyle, 202-682-4131, 202-905-6852 cell, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Radio Interviews: Jeff Walton, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; both with the Institute on Religion and Democracy

The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.

• Add New

Comments (2)

• 13-02-2008 11:07:08 |Unregistered| Tipo William Mel

  International organizations are mechanisms through which others act. They influence national and local policies in different forms. They define shared international tasks (like development), create and define new categories of people (like refugee) and create new interests for people (like promoting human rights). This is basically how international organizations influence world policies. the effect of these organizations is determined by how states manage their cooperation with them.
  In contrast, many developing countries including Sudan that have had international organizations managed for them are not so successful in this regard. therefore, it is not a surprise that UN workers in the above report make themselves comfortable in five-star hotels, and liken modern economic management to high-attitude bombing. In addition to this, we need to note that in actual fact there always exists a huge gap between policy and practice. there is always an issue of implementation. so there is much justification to be suspicious of such international bodies that are not accountable to the local national citizen, and might well be managed by vested interests.

  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

• 13-02-2008 16:35:20 |Unregistered| James Okuk

  UN is run by human beings who work first for money and then for peace keeping. So this report is not a wonder for me because there have been many bad reports about behavior of UN personnel, not only in Southern Sudan but also in other places where UN have been operating. Remember also they leave behind fatherless UN children when they evacuate a country. It is also a fact that where there is UN military force in the world there is no development. They waste a lot of money on their protection and enjoyment more than they can do to the people of the area they operate in. The best solution not to have UN and their corruption practices is to ensure peace and stability in Southern Sudan after 2011 and we shall be free to conduct our well-being without complaints.

  • 0
  • 0

  ReplyQuote

Write comment

Your Contact Details:

Name:

Email: do not notifynotify

Comment:

Title:

UBBCode:          -color-aquablackbluefuchsiagraygreenlimemaroonnavyolivepurpleredsilvertealwhiteyellow -size-tinysmallmediumlargehuge

Message: