From hard partying to serious personal accusations, the U.N. Mission in Western Sahara sounds a bit chaotic. Regardless of whether that’s true, it’s become emblematic of the dysfunction thought to be permeating the United Nations.
Also in today’s edition: The World Health Organization attempts to prepare for the next pandemic, and a U.S. aid agency (not the one you’re thinking of) may be able to help a lot more countries.
Allegations of diplomats partying in the desert, a hard-drinking boss, a politically sensitive marriage, racism, and even charges of sexual assault. It sounds like the plot of a Netflix series, but these are the real-life allegations swirling around the U.N. Mission in Western Sahara, which in some ways can be seen as a microcosm of broader problems within the U.N.
About the author
Anna Gawel
Anna Gawel is the Managing Editor of Devex. She previously worked as the managing editor of The Washington Diplomat, the flagship publication of D.C.’s diplomatic community. She’s had hundreds of articles published on world affairs, U.S. foreign policy, politics, security, trade, travel and the arts on topics ranging from the impact of State Department budget cuts to Caribbean efforts to fight climate change. She was also a broadcast producer and digital editor at WTOP News and host of the Global 360 podcast. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Maryland in College Park.
