Title: Measures taken by MONUSCO against peacekeepers in the DRC
Introduction:
The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) recently announced that it had taken “strong measures” against some of its peacekeepers deployed in the country. “Serious misconduct”, including cases of sexual exploitation, were reported, leading to the arrest of eight soldiers and the suspension of one officer. This affair once again raises the question of the responsibility and ethics of UN peacekeeping forces.
A disturbing incident:
According to internal documents obtained by Agence France Presse, South African peacekeepers were involved in an incident on September 30, 2023 in Beni. Despite the curfew in force, several soldiers left the Mavivi camp and went to a brothel in the town. These acts are not in accordance with the values and standards of conduct of the United Nations, underlines MONUSCO.
The intervention of MONUSCO:
After being discovered by elements of the MONUSCO police, some soldiers managed to flee, while others were arrested. Subsequently, an officer was suspended for intimidating and verbally threatening UN members after the military’s arrest. It should be noted that these are not the first measures taken by MONUSCO to put an end to the frequentation of brothels by the peacekeepers of the UN contingents.
An ongoing investigation:
Currently, the soldiers involved are in detention and an investigation is underway to shed light on this matter. It is crucial that MONUSCO conducts a thorough investigation and that responsibilities are clearly established. Appropriate sanctions should be taken to prevent such behavior in the future.
Conclusion:
This incident highlights the challenges facing UN peacekeeping forces in their mission to protect civilians and promote peace. It also highlights the need to review the selection, training and monitoring processes of peacekeepers to ensure that they behave in an exemplary manner in foreign territory. MONUSCO must send a clear message that such serious misconduct will not be tolerated and that measures will be taken to guarantee the security and respect for the rights of local populations.