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TEHRAN, December 11 - The fate of UNAIDS chief Michel Sidibe hung in the balance on Tuesday as he faced the agency's oversight body after an expert report blasted his leadership and called for his removal.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC)- The organization founded to coordinate the global response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic has been plunged into a crisis unprecedented in its 24-year history.
Seeking to ease concerns after UNAIDS was accused of mishandling sexual assault allegations against a former deputy chief, Sidibe initiated the Independent Expert Panel report to study the agency's culture and propose reforms.
But the findings released last week were a stunning rebuke of the Malian national's nine-year tenure.
It said UNAIDS was "broken" due to "defective leadership" and accused Sidibe of overseeing a work environment that tolerated sexual harassment and abuse where a "cult of personality" surrounding the executive director saw benefits doled out as favours by Sidibe and his cadre of top allies.
It also said Sidibe "accepted no responsibility" for anything that has gone wrong under his watch.
"For... UNAIDS to regain a culture of dignity and respect, a change in leadership has become necessary," the report said.
UNAIDS' oversight body, the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB), opened a three-day meeting in Geneva on Tuesday that may decide Sidibe's fate.
With activists demanding immediate change, pressure is mounting on UN chief Antonio Guterres to act.
Source: AP
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