United Nations spokesperson Michele Montas confirmed on Dec. 18 that the organization was investigating allegations of fraud and mismanagement totaling more than $610 million in procurement for peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Haiti. The cases are "under consideration in the internal justice system in accordance with established procedures," according to Montas, and "are being accorded the highest priority." (AFP, Dec. 18) [Montas is a Haitian journalist and the widow of murdered Radio Haiti Inter director Jean Dominique. The 9,200-member United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is already under investigation because of allegations of sexual abuse of women and minors by its soldiers and officers.]

From Weekly News Update on the Americas, Dec. 30

See our last posts on Haiti and Congo.