The United Nations announced on Friday that eleven peacekeepers stationed in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been accused of sexual exploitation and abuse.

While investigations are still ongoing, initial evidence gathered by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services has indicated the involvement of members from a Tanzanian peacekeeping unit deployed in the western region of the country.

The exploitation and abuse allegations pertain to four victims, as stated in a press release by the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the Associated Press has reported.

In response to the allegations, MINUSCA swiftly took action. Upon learning of the accusations, they immediately dispatched a rapid intervention team to assess the situation and provide support to the alleged victims.

Following this, the unit in question was relocated to a different base and confined to barracks to ensure the safety of the victims and the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Written by staff