UN Peacekeeping Troops Accused of Sexually Exploiting Children in Central African Republic

Strategic Insights -

French peacekeeping troops allegedly sexually exploited children they were supposed to protect in the Central African Republic, a leaked report from the United Nations indicates. The report, titled "Sexual Abuse on Children by International Armed Forces," says the peacekeeping troops allegedly raped starving and homeless boys as young as 9 years old in exchange for food. The alleged assaults happened between December 2013 and June 2014 at a camp for internally displaced people at M'Poko airport in Bangui.

Key Takeaways:

  • French peacekeeping troops allegedly sexually exploited children in the Central African Republic, according to a leaked UN report.
  • The report, titled "Sexual Abuse on Children by International Armed Forces," documents the alleged abuse of boys as young as 9 years old.
  • The alleged assaults happened between December 2013 and June 2014 at a camp for internally displaced people at M'Poko airport in Bangui.
  • UN Director of Field Operations Anders Kompass, a Swedish national, was suspended by the UN and is under investigation by the Office for Internal Oversight Service for passing on the report to French authorities.
  • The French government has been investigating the allegations since it received the report in July 2014.
  • UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was expected to comment on the report later Wednesday.
  • Paula Donovan, co-director of the advocacy group Aids Free World, is calling for a truly independent commission of inquiry with total access and full subpoena power to investigate the UN's handling of the allegations.
  • The case highlights the UN's "appalling disregard for victims" and its pattern of ignoring, denying, and covering up sexual violence in its ranks.

Statistics:

  • The alleged assaults happened between December 2013 and June 2014.
  • The victims were boys as young as 9 years old.
  • The report was passed on to French authorities by Anders Kompass in July 2014.
  • UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was expected to comment on the report later Wednesday.

Sources:

  • Geneva, Switzerland, April 29 (UPI)
  • The Guardian
  • TheLocal.fr
  • France24