 |
| The United Nations and the Congolese government immediately launched an investigation into the suspected soldiers. (Source: United Nations Peacekeeping Force) |
The UN peacekeeping mission in eastern DR Congo (MONUSCO) said it had suspended some staff while it investigated the allegations, but gave no further details.
The allegations relate to eight South African peacekeepers in the city of Beni, linked to brothels operating near South African military barracks.
Although MONUSCO announced that it had arrested and punished the suspects, Congo will also open its own investigation, according to Chantal Yelu Mulop, special adviser to the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the issue of violence against women.
The UN peacekeeping mission in Congo has about 17,000 personnel deployed in the east of the country, which was established amid the country's 1998-2003 civil war.
In recent years, the United Nations has set up special units to combat sexual abuse and support victims, but the organization has struggled to fully combat the problem. Previously, the force has been accused of sexual abuse in Congo, Haiti and the Central African Republic.
Source
Comment (0)