UN probes claims of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in Sudan

FOUR UN peacekeepers in southern Sudan have been sent home in the past year following investigations of alleged sexual abuse and the organisation is looking into reports that more than 20 children were raped and abused, a UN spokeswoman has said.

Michele Montas said the United Nations was “deeply concerned” by a report in a British newspaper alleging that UN personnel in Juba, the capital of southern Sudan, were involved in sexual exploitation and abuse. The UN was trying to determine if the allegations were new or involved existing cases already under investigation.

Meanwhile, Sudan yesterday described the alleged sexual abuse as “outrageous” and said it would launch its own investigation.