Criticism of Appointing a Gay-Sexist as UN Envoy to Sudan

Social media in Sudan has witnessed a wave of criticism against the UN Secretary-General for appointing a gay Finnish diplomat as his special representative to Sudan. Many political activists and writers expressed their astonishment at the move, justifying their rejection by stating that, given his position, he will be dealing with a Muslim majority that rejects such orientation and behavior.

Haavisto is openly gay and has been in a stable relationship with his partner, Antonio Flores, from Ecuador, since the late 1990s. The couple legally registered their partnership in Finland in 2002 under the “registered partnership” system that was in place before the country later passed a law legalizing equal marriage.