The United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) has announced the launch of an internal investigation into the case of alleged sexual abuse committed by peacekeepers in the West African country, according to official sources.
"On May 27, 2008, the BBC had broadcast information on the basis of a report by Save the Children UK, indicating that approximately one year ago, a 12-year old Ivorian girl had been gang-raped by 10 peacekeepers," UNOCI chief Choi Young-jin told reporters during a press conference.
"Once we have the report in our hands, UNOCI will immediately raise the matter with the Internal Control Office, the UN's armed wing that is charged with overseeing investigations, so as to ensure that this matter is looked into thoroughly with the seriousness that it deserves," Choi, who is also the UN special envoy for Cote d'Ivoire.
"Once the investigations are completed, the United Nations will make the results public. The UNOCI is taking this matter very seriously," said the special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Cote d'Ivoire.
The role and mandate of the UNOCI, according to the UN diplomat, is to "protect populations, particularly women and children..., who are form the most vulnerable section of the population in times of armed conflicts and crises.
A one time shining example of both political and economic stability in sub-Saharan Africa, Cote d'Ivoire plunged into a serious political-military crisis after the former New Forces (FN)rebels seized control of the northern part of the country in the wake of a botched coup against President Laurent Gbagbo in September 2002.
"UNOCI has and will continue to do everything possible to prevent and find solutions to each reported case of sexual exploitation and abuse," he said, adding that it would be disastrous if the body decided to close its eyes to such a serious issue.
"The UNOCI is ready to redouble its efforts in its advocacy work to train all its components on the need to ensure the enforcement of the stated UN policy of zero tolerance on this matter," said the UN diplomat.
On Tuesday, during a visit to Abidjan, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang said that "abuses committed against children are very serious" and that the UN will examine the report by Save the Children UK "very carefully."
In July 2007, UNOCI had announced the suspension of all the activities of a Moroccan contingent based in the rebel stronghold of Bouake, central Cote d'Ivoire, after an "internal inquiry" revealed the existence of cases of sexual exploitation and abuse on the local populations.
Deployed in Cote d'Ivoire in April 2004 to monitor the implementation of the peace process, currently the UN has a contingent of about 8,000 peacekeepers and a thousand civilian personnel in the country.
Source: Xinhua
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