UN opens inquiry into peacekeeper sex abuse charges
KINSHASA, May 14 (Reuters) - The United Nations is investigating allegations that its peacekeepers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo committed sexual abuses, a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday.
He declined to give details of the investigation but aid workers based in Congo's violence-torn east said the inquiry was focusing on Indian U.N. peacekeepers accused of paying for sex with underage girls.
"There are allegations and independent services are working on them," said Kemal Saiki, spokesman for the U.N. mission in Congo (MONUC).
He said the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) was investigating the alleged incidents in North Kivu province, where U.N. troops have been policing a shaky ceasefire between rival rebel and militia factions and government troops. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: africa.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Joe Bavier; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Giles Elgood)
He declined to give details of the investigation but aid workers based in Congo's violence-torn east said the inquiry was focusing on Indian U.N. peacekeepers accused of paying for sex with underage girls.
"There are allegations and independent services are working on them," said Kemal Saiki, spokesman for the U.N. mission in Congo (MONUC).
He said the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) was investigating the alleged incidents in North Kivu province, where U.N. troops have been policing a shaky ceasefire between rival rebel and militia factions and government troops. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: africa.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Joe Bavier; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Giles Elgood)
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