UN to send back 9 South African peacekeepers accused of sexual abuse in Congo

Allegations of misconduct and cover-up

The United Nations announced on Friday that it will repatriate nine peacekeepers from a South African contingent in eastern Congo who were accused of sexual assault and other abuse. The U.N. said the peacekeepers violated its code of conduct by fraternizing with prostitutes and assaulting U.N. staff and military police. A senior officer of the South African army also allegedly tried to hinder a probe into the allegations and threatened other peacekeepers.

Challenges of peacekeeping in Congo

The U.N. has more than 12,000 peacekeepers deployed in eastern Congo, where more than 100 armed groups are active. The peacekeepers are tasked with protecting civilians, supporting humanitarian aid, and facilitating political dialogue. However, they face many challenges, such as insecurity, lack of resources, and hostility from some local communities.

History of sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers

The U.N. has been plagued by accusations of sexual abuse and exploitation by its peacekeepers in various parts of the world, from Congo to Haiti. The victims in many cases are children. The U.N. has been criticized for not doing enough to prevent, investigate, and punish such abuses. Last year, Secretary-General António Guterres said the U.N. has made some progress but still has a lot of work to do to address the sexual abuse crisis.

Cooperation and assistance from South Africa

The U.N. said it decided to immediately repatriate the nine peacekeepers and a senior officer of the South African army “due to the seriousness of the allegations against them.” Two other indicted senior officers will also be replaced. The U.N. said South African authorities have indicated their “full cooperation, in particular through the deployment of a national investigator.” The U.N. also promised to assist the victims and to uphold its standards of conduct.

FAQ

• Q: What is the UN’s policy on sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers?
  • A: The UN has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers. This means that any such misconduct is unacceptable and will be investigated and punished. The UN also requires peacekeepers to respect the human rights and dignity of the people they serve.
• Q: How does the UN investigate and punish such misconduct?
  • A: The UN has a three-pronged approach to investigate and punish such misconduct. First, it conducts its own internal investigations through the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). Second, it cooperates with the national authorities of the countries that contribute peacekeepers. Third, it supports the establishment of special courts or tribunals in the host countries where the abuses occur.
• Q: How does the UN assist the victims of sexual exploitation and abuse?
  • A: The UN provides assistance to the victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, such as medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and compensation. The UN also helps the victims to access justice and to report their cases to the relevant authorities.
• Q: How prevalent is sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers in Congo and other countries?
  • A: Sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers is a serious and widespread problem in many countries where the UN operates. In 2017, Congo accounted for one-third of the nearly 2,000 sexual abuse and exploitation complaints made against the UN worldwide. Other countries with high numbers of complaints include Haiti, Central African Republic, Mali, and South Sudan.
• Q: What are the challenges and solutions for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers?
  • A: Some of the challenges for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers include lack of awareness, training, supervision, accountability, and reporting mechanisms. Some of the solutions include strengthening the vetting, screening, and monitoring of peacekeepers; enhancing the education, prevention, and enforcement measures; improving the coordination and cooperation among different actors; and increasing the participation and empowerment of women and girls in peacekeeping operations.