16th September, 2021
By Cecilia Ologunagba/New York
The UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has announced the expulsion of all Gabonese military units from the Central African Republic (CAR) with immediate effect.
UN Spokesperson, Mr Stephane Dujarric, disclosed at a press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday that the repatriation was a decision of its Secretariat.
Dujarric said the decision followed credible reports received by the Mission of sexual abuse by the Gabonese military contingent deployed to the peacekeeping mission.
The unidentified ‘blue helmets’ from Gabon were said to have abused five girls.
Dujarric added that the history of pending allegations involving the Gabonese contingent in the country was also taken into account.
“Gabon has been formally notified of the Secretariat’s decision.
“The Mission also dispatched an immediate response team to the location to assess the situation, establish prevention measures and raise awareness among communities on how to report sexual exploitation and abuse.
“The Mission has referred the victims to humanitarian partners for medical, psychosocial and protection assistance, in line with our policies on support to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse,’’ the spokesperson said.
“In line with the United Nations’ global policy of assistance and support to victims of sexual exploitation or abuse by UN personnel or related staff, the identified victims received immediate care and support through Mission partners, according to their medical, psychosocial and protection needs,” MINUSCA made clear in a statement.
On Sept. 7, the United Nations Secretariat requested the Gabonese authorities to appoint a national investigator within five working days and for the investigation to be concluded in less than 90 days.
The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has also opened an investigation and “stands ready to assist, should a national investigator be appointed.”
The decision was communicated to the Gabonese Government on Tuesday based on a Security Council resolution relating to troops.
The resolution makes clear that “in the face of instances of credible evidence of widespread and systemic sexual exploitation and abuse, or failures to take appropriate steps to investigate, hold perpetrators accountable, or keep the Secretary-General informed of progress, the units of the Member-State should be replaced.”
MINUSCA said that it remains firmly committed to fighting sexual exploitation and abuse by its personnel and to fully implementing “the UN’s zero tolerance policy towards the scourge”.