Central African Republic: Peacekeepers accused of child-abuse

The United Nation is alleging that peacekeepers from Georgia, France and another unnamed European nation abused children while deployed in the Central Africa Republic.

The crimes were committed in 2014 but new information came into light only in recent weeks and the authorities concerned including the European Union are now conducting investigations.

“These are of course extremely serious accusations and it is crucial that these cases are thoroughly and urgently investigated. We are heartened by the initial response we have received from the countries concerned, as well as from the European Union, which show that they take these terrible allegations very seriously. We will continue to closely follow up on these cases, and any others which emerge as the U.N. team on the ground continues its investigations.,” said Rupert Colville, U.N.H.C.R spokesperson.

A statement released by the United Nations indicate that girls and boys aged 7 and 9 respectively are alleged to have been abused by the troops.

A number of girls aged between 14 and 16 have alleged they were raped by Georgian members of the EU’s operation Eufor.

One girl was quoted saying that she had performed sex to French soldiers in exchange of a bottle of water and a sachet of cookies.