UN Sends Gabon Peacekeepers Home From Central African Republic Over Allegations Of Sexually Abusing Girls, Women
MINUSCA peacekeepers on guard in the city of Bangassou, Central African Republic, January 15, 2021.
UN Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has sent home all Gabonese military units from Central African Republic (CAR) following credible reports alleging that unidentified ‘blue helmets’ had abused five girls.
UN Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, disclosed at a press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday that the repatriation was a decision of its secretariat.
Due to the serious nature of these latest reported allegations, the @UN Secretariat took the decision to repatriate the entire Gabonese contingent of #MINUSCA. https://t.co/qe9FMBeqgc pic.twitter.com/hhC418Kvfg
— MINUSCA (@UN_CAR) September 15, 2021
On September 7, the UN secretariat requested the Gabonese authorities to appoint a national investigator within five working days and for the investigation to be concluded in less than 90 days.
Mr Dujarric explained that the decision followed credible reports received by the mission of sexual abuse by the Gabonese military contingent deployed to the peacekeeping mission.
He added that the history of pending allegations involving the Gabonese contingent in the country was also considered.
Mr Dujarric expressed;
Gabon has been formally notified of the secretariat’s decision. The mission also dispatched an immediate response team to the location to assess the situation, establish prevention measures and raise awareness among communities on how to report sexual exploitation and abuse.
The mission has referred the victims to humanitarian partners for medical, psychosocial and protection assistance, in line with our policies on support to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.
MINUSCA further noted in a statement that in line with the “UN’s global policy of assistance and support to victims of sexual exploitation or abuse by UN personnel or related staff, the identified victims received immediate care and support through mission partners.”
Also, UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has opened an investigation and “stands ready to assist, should a national investigator be appointed.”
The decision was communicated to Gabonese Government on Tuesday based on a Security Council resolution relating to troops.
The resolution stated that;
In the face of instances of credible evidence of widespread and systemic sexual exploitation and abuse, or failures to take appropriate steps to investigate, hold perpetrators accountable, or keep the secretary-general informed of progress, the units of the Member-State should be replaced.
Via NAN.
