Eight United Nations (UN) peacekeepers stationed in Beni, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, have been arrested in connection with reports of alleged sexual exploitation and acts of violence.
According to internal documents obtained by AFP from the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), an officer was also suspended over the development.
AFP reported that the UN Mission made an announcement on Wednesday regarding “strong measures” taken against peacekeepers who are under suspicion of “serious misconduct”.
According to the documents obtained by AFP, the peacekeepers were arrested on October 1 while the officer was suspended a week later.
The concerned individuals are part of the South African contingent of the UN Force and may be linked to a “systematic widespread violation” of UN regulations, as described in internal reports.
In a statement released late Wednesday, MONUSCO stated, “The Office of Internal Oversight Services has been informed, and precautionary measures have already been implemented in line with the UN Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy.
“These measures include the suspension, detention, and confinement of the peacekeepers involved, with a strong condemnation of such behavior as “unworthy of UN personnel”.
One of the internal documents indicates that establishments with names like ‘Soweto’, ‘Bloemfontein’, and ‘Cape Town’, mirroring South African towns, have emerged near the MONUSCO base at Mavivi, near Beni.
A preliminary report also mentions that the officer in question “intimidated and verbally threatened UN personnel” following the arrest of the peacekeepers.
Since May, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has been urging SADC (Southern African Development Community) countries, including South Africa, to deploy troops in support of the Congolese army, particularly in response to the M23 rebels who have captured significant portions of North Kivu province.
Furthermore, the DRC government has been advocating for an “accelerated” withdrawal of the UN Force by December, accusing it of failing to quell violence perpetrated by armed groups during its 25-year presence.
