The United Nations (UN) has accused its troops from Gabon, Morocco, Burundi and France involved in the peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic of exploiting girls sexually.
Quoting an unnamed UN official, The Washington Post on January 11 said that the troops paid teenage girls as little as $ 50cts in exchange for sex.
Last week, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) vowed tough action over the allegations.
The latest allegations now bring to 26 the number of sexual abuse cases involving UN peacekeepers in the CAR.
Mission chief Parfait Onanga-Anyanga told troops and police in Bangui that there would be “zero tolerance” for such actions and “no complacency for perpetrators,” he added.
The UN has asked the three African countries mentioned adversely to investigate their soldiers serving in the MINUSCA over the matter.
CAR plunged into chaos and sectarian violence in March 2013 after the Seleka and anti-Balaka rebels toppled the then president, Francois Bozize forcing him to flee.
