The United States has expressed utter astonishment over the string of allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
In a statement on Friday, Mark C Toner, deputy spokesperson of US State Department, said: “The United States is profoundly shocked and dismayed by allegations and incidents of serious misconduct by UN peacekeepers serving in the UN Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).”
Read more: UN peacekeepers 'barter goods for sex'
A recent UN report stated that UN peacekeepers routinely trade sex for money, jewellery, cellphones in countries where they are deployed.
The most recent of those allegations includes rape and civilian casualties during an arrest operation in early August.
“These allegations raise serious concerns about the mission’s discipline and command. They must be investigated immediately and thoroughly, with appropriate punishment and accountability for the perpetrators,” said Toner.
Referring to the recent actions from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon including convoking leaders of UN peacekeeping missions, he added: “We welcome the efforts he is taking to strengthen the UN's response and institute a policy of zero tolerance for misconduct of any kind by UN peacekeepers and staff.”
“The United States remains convinced of the importance of MINUSCA in supporting the transition process underway in the Central African Republic and of the central utility of UN peacekeeping in advancing peace and reconciliation in regions afflicted with violence,” the statement read.
Mentioning that the instances of abuse threaten to undermine the credibility of this crucial tool for conflict resolution, the statement further stated: “We will continue to push the UN for urgent action to improve vetting, implement measures to protect civilians from abuse and exploitation, and investigate any allegations and take and appropriate action.”
It also called upon Member States to ensure that their personnel serving in UN peacekeeping missions are subject to investigations and appropriate legal action at home for any crimes they may commit while in service as a peacekeeper.
“The United States reaffirms its support for MINUSCA’s vast efforts to support the population of the Central African Republic and we call on all parties to renew and demonstrate their commitment to free, fair, and peaceful elections,” said the spokesperson.
The UN has 125,000 peacekeepers deployed in 16 missions worldwide.
There were 480 allegations of sexual abuse from 2008 and 2013 with the largest missions registering high numbers of cases, in DR Congo, Liberia, Haiti, Sudan and South Sudan.
Interviews done with victims in Haiti and Liberia suggest that US is underreporting cases of sexual abuse and exploitation by its peacekeeping personnel.
In Haiti, 231 people admitted to having "transactional sexual relationships" with peacekeeping personnel in exchange for "jewellery, church shoes, dresses, fancy underwear, perfume, cell phones, radios, televisions and, in a few cases, laptops."
Women interviewed in the report said they were hungry, homeless or needed items for their babies or their households.
A survey of 489 women in Monrovia showed that over a quarter of the city's women had engaged in sex with UN peacekeepers, usually for money.
