The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) has sanctioned at least eight peacekeeping soldiers for suspected “serious misconduct” in the town of Beni, North Kivu Province.
On Wednesday, MONUSCO confirmed having sanctioned some of its troops in Beni for what reports suggest had been acts of sexual exploitation although although precise details remain undisclosed.
In a brief statement issued on Wednesday, MONUSCO confirmed disciplinary actions taken against its troops but refrained from providing detailed information on the specific allegations.
MONUSCO reiterated that it had proactively put in place stiff measures in all its areas of deployment to ensure respect for UN values and standards of conduct.
The UN mission revealed that the matter had since been forwarded to its Internal Oversight Department for further investigations.
In accordance with the United Nations Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as other serious forms of misconduct, perpetrators are likely to face stiff punishment including suspension, detention and confinement.
