Bernard Kushner seeks UN Envoy to Haiti Job

Sources at the United Nations in New York inform AfroAmerica Network that the former French Minister, Bernard Kushner is tipped to be appointed the next UN Envoy to Haiti.
If he is appointed, he will replace the current UN Envoy, Edmond Mulet, who has been facing mounting criticism for the failings to avert the cholera epidemic outbreak that killed thousands of Haitians displaced by earthquakes.

Bernard Kushner, sacked last year by French President Sarkozy, has been lobbying for the position since last Fall, after he realized his days as Foreign Minister were counted (see our September 17, 2010: French Sarkozy to dump Kushner from Government in October 2010) .

Mr. Edmond Mulet has been facing tough opposition in New York and in Haiti itself. Recently, calls from Haitian opposition leaders called for his resignation and for an investigation on the way he handled the relief efforts for Haiti. Among the Haitian virulent politicians are Social Affairs Minister Yves Christallin and the candidate of the Renmen Ayiti party.

Other candidates vying for the position are Atul Khare, the deputy head of Peacekeeping operations, Nigel Fisher, the UN Humanitarian Affairs coordinator in Haiti, and several other candidates. According to the sources, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who has the final decision, appears to be leaning towards Bernard Kushner.

However, despite a powerful lobby supporting Bernard Kushner, several people have been questioning his abilities and pointed to his controversial humanitarian work in the crises in the Balkans and in Rwanda in early 1990s.

Kushner is accused by French author, Pierre Pean, for having used the crises to his material benefits. Kushner has rejected the allegations.

©AfroAmerica Network, 2011