UNAMI: Plasschaert's departure from Iraq has nothing to do with allegations of corruption in the United Nations mission, 15 FEB

 UNAMI: Plasschaert's departure from Iraq has nothing to do with allegations of corruption in the United Nations mission

On Wednesday, the United Nations Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) issued a clarification regarding what it called “misleading information” regarding the departure of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, indicating that the departure is a practice followed by the usual rotation of senior officials and has nothing to do with reports about... Corruption in the mission.

The mission said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “UNAMI would like to set the record straight regarding the misleading reports that were recently circulated in a number of traditional Iraqi media and social media regarding the departure of Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.” United Nations and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in May. 

UNAMI stressed that “the departure of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in May is consistent with established practices within the United Nations, including the usual rotation of senior United Nations officials.”

Regarding The Guardian’s report on corruption allegations, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) issued a statement on 23 January 2024. “Furthermore, we would like to emphasize that UNAMI and UNDP have different administrative and financial structures.”

UNAMI called on the media to “prioritize accuracy and refrain from circulating misleading information. More broadly, the impact of false and misleading information cannot be overestimated.”

On Tuesday, January 23, in a shocking report, the British newspaper "The Guardian" revealed the truth about major suspicions of corruption by the United Nations in its development program in Iraq, stressing that the United Nations has fueled the culture of bribery that has permeated Iraqi society since the overthrow. With Saddam Hussein in 2003.

The British newspaper "The Guardian" said, "United Nations employees in Iraq are demanding bribes in exchange for helping businessmen win contracts for reconstruction projects in the country."

The Guardian newspaper found that UNDP employees “demanded bribes of up to 15 percent of the contract value,” according to three employees and four contractors. 

In return, the employee helps the contractor navigate the complex UNDP bidding system to ensure it passes the audit process.

One of the contractors, without The Guardian revealing his identity, said that UNDP employees “contacted them demanding bribes.”  link