Countries should vet their troops, police before joining peace missions-UN Peacekeeping Chief


Troops and police officers sent to serve in peace missions should be vetted, the UN peacekeeping chief has said.

Allegations of the sexual abuse of children by foreign soldiers serving in the Central African Republic have been reported by the United Nations on a number of occasions.

The alleged crimes mostly took place in 2014, but only came to light in recent weeks.

The UN peacekeeping chief Hervé Ladsous met with the UN military and police leadership in Central African Republic (CAR) Friday to address issues of sexual exploitation by peacekeepers.

The exact number and nature of the allegations are still being determined.

Charges have been made against UN troops from Burundi and Gabon, French Sangari Forces as well as local armed groups in the Kemo region in the central African nation.


"Prevention is first and foremost and in that regard, everyone needs to do their part. The United Nations is doing so, but the troop contributing countries should also make sure the troops and police officers selected have no convictions, they need to be well trained and made aware of the consequences if found guilty.”Ladous said.

A team of investigators including human rights experts have been traveling across the country.


SOURCE: Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations.