https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231013/at-least-eight-un-peacekeepers-arrested-in-drc-over-sexual-abuse-allegations-report-says-1062756786.html
At Least Eight UN Peacekeepers Arrested in DRC Over Sexual Abuse Allegations, Report Says
At Least Eight UN Peacekeepers Arrested in DRC Over Sexual Abuse Allegations, Report Says
Sputnik Africa
According to the media, the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and other missions in Africa have long been subject to allegations of sexual... 13.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-13T12:35+0200
2023-10-13T12:35+0200
2023-10-13T16:37+0200
sub-saharan africa
antonio guterres
democratic republic of the congo (drc)
haiti
united nations (un)
east african community (eac)
m23 rebels
sexual abuse
central africa
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About eight UN peacekeepers in the DRC have been detained because of sexual abuse claims, the British media reported, citing sources.A UN source and a Congolese security source anonymously revealed the information about the arrest of at least eight UN peacekeepers from the South African contingent in the north-eastern DRC city of Beni, the outlet said.According to the US source, allegations concerned brothels established near the South African contingent's camps, the media noted.Commenting on the situation, Special Advisor to the DRC Head of State on youth, gender, and violence against women, Chantal Yelu Mulop reportedly highlighted that the DRC will launch its own investigation despite measures taken by the UN mission.As for the actions of the UN mission regarding the issue, they include "suspension from duty, detention, and confinement to quarters of concerned peacekeepers pending receipt of additional information on the allegations, including through the conduct of a full-fledged investigation," according to the UN statement.The UN peacekeepers have been operating in DRC for more than two decades, aiming to support the government in its efforts to establish security in the eastern part of the country, where more than 120 armed groups are causing instability. Despite the efforts of the UN mission, last year the situation in the eastern DRC deteriorated because of the insurgency of the rebel group M23. In response to this, a regional force was set up by the member states of the East African Community (EAC) to help the DRC authorities in its struggle with the rebels.After the EAC's actions, M23 and the Congolese army agreed on a ceasefire. In May, the presence of the EAC troops in the DRC were extended until September. However, last month, the EAC mandate was again prolonged until the end of the year. On 11 October, the DRC's minister of communications, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe reportedly said that the mission "must leave [the country] by 8 December".As for the UN mission, extended by one year last December, according to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, it is entering "its final phase" and soon will be terminated. Furthermore, in late September, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi urged his government to speed up the withdrawal to ensure that it starts at the end of the year.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230813/which-african-countries-assist-drc-in-combating-insurgency-1061298511.html
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antonio guterres, democratic republic of the congo (drc), haiti , united nations (un), east african community (eac), m23 rebels, sexual abuse, central africa
antonio guterres, democratic republic of the congo (drc), haiti , united nations (un), east african community (eac), m23 rebels, sexual abuse, central africa
At Least Eight UN Peacekeepers Arrested in DRC Over Sexual Abuse Allegations, Report Says
12:35 13.10.2023 (Updated: 16:37 13.10.2023) According to the media, the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and other missions in Africa have long been subject to allegations of sexual misconduct. Countries where scandals are said to have occurred include the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Central African Republic and the Caribbean island of Haiti.
About eight UN peacekeepers in the
DRC have been detained because of sexual abuse claims, the British media reported, citing sources.
A UN source and a Congolese security source anonymously revealed the information about the arrest of at least eight UN peacekeepers from the South African contingent in the north-eastern DRC city of Beni, the outlet said.
"We have been informed by our UN counterparts that eight South African peacekeepers have been detained over accusations of sexual abuse," the security source in Beni was quoted by the media as saying.
According to the US source, allegations concerned brothels established near the South African contingent's camps, the media noted.
Commenting on the situation, Special Advisor to the DRC Head of State on youth, gender, and violence against women, Chantal Yelu Mulop reportedly highlighted that the DRC will launch its own investigation despite measures taken by the UN mission.
"Even though MONUSCO claims to have apprehended and sanctioned [those linked to the alleged misconduct], Congo will also open an investigation," Mulop was cited as saying.
As for the actions of
the UN mission regarding the issue, they include "suspension from duty, detention, and confinement to quarters of concerned peacekeepers pending receipt of additional information on the allegations, including through the conduct of a full-fledged investigation," according to
the UN statement.
"[The] precautionary measures have already been initiated in line with the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of misconduct," the statement added.
The UN peacekeepers have been operating in DRC for more than two decades, aiming to support the government in its efforts to establish security in the eastern part of the country, where more than 120 armed groups are causing instability.
Despite the efforts of the UN mission, last year the situation in the eastern DRC deteriorated because of the insurgency of the
rebel group M23. In response to this, a regional force was set up by the member states of the East African Community (
EAC) to help the DRC authorities in its struggle with the rebels.
After the EAC's actions, M23 and the Congolese army agreed on a ceasefire. In May, the presence of the EAC troops in the DRC
were extended until September. However, last month, the EAC mandate was again prolonged until the end of the year. On 11 October, the DRC's minister of communications, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe reportedly said that the mission "
must leave [the country] by 8 December".
As for the UN mission, extended by one year last December, according to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, it is entering "
its final phase" and soon will be terminated. Furthermore, in late September, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi
urged his government to speed up the withdrawal to ensure that it starts at the end of the year.
