Auditors Find U.N. Squandered Millions in Sudan

[Guest guest]

So much for the efficacy of the U.N.

................Lynn

Auditors Find U.N. Squandered Millions in Sudan

 

Washington, DC­Tens 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 United Nations 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.