16 UN Personnel Accused Of Sex Abuse In C. African Republic

Gen Babakar Gaye former head of CAR mission had been forced to resign in August

A civilian staff member with the United Nations mission in Central African Republic is alleged to have committed sexual exploitation, bringing the total number of those accused of sexual abuse to 16 since the peacekeeping mission arrived to help stabilize the country, the U.N. said Tuesday. The U.N. mission gave few details about the allegations other than to say that the suspect is a civilian. Thirteen of the 16 cases involve U.N. peacekeeping personnel, it said.

The U.N. mission "condemns in the strongest possible terms any instance of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by U.N. personnel in the CAR," said the statement issued Tuesday.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general told reporters in New York that the accused "remains in country and will not be allowed to leave the Central African Republic for the time being."

AP report continues:

Local authorities have been informed that the U.N. is conducting an internal investigation, said Dujarric. If the case goes forward, the person will have no U.N. immunity, he said.

Central African Republic has been rocked by violence between Muslims and Christians since mostly Muslim rebels overthrew the president in 2013. Thousands have died, while hundreds of thousands have fled to neighboring countries.

The U.N. took over peacekeeping duties from an African Union force in April 2014. Member states have the sole responsibility to prosecute their troops, but a U.N. investigative report released this summer showed that countries can take little action.

Sexual abuse allegations also have been made against members of the French peacekeeping mission, which is separate from the U.N. one trying to stabilize the country.