South African Peacekeepers Accused of Sexual Abuse Recalled From the Democratic Republic of Congo

The South African army on Sunday made a public announcement regarding the recall of nearly a dozen peacekeepers. The accused are suspected of orchestrating a system of mass prostitution in front of their base in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Earlier on Wednesday, the UN mission in the DRC (Monusco) had arrested eight South African peacekeepers from the eastern town of Beni. The charges levied were of a "systematic and widespread violation" of UN rules against sexual exploitation and abuse. Furthermore, an officer was suspended following these allegations.

The South African army, acknowledging the gravity of the accusations, expressed its decision to recall the soldiers to South Africa to respond. In addition, they dispatched investigators to the DRC to delve deeper into the issue.

Documents from Monusco reveal the peacekeepers are linked to operating 'brothels' and 'makeshift bars' near the Monusco base at Mavivi, near Beni, utilised for prostitution. A preliminary Monusco report indicated that after the arrest of the peacekeepers, an officer "intimidated and verbally threatened" members of the UN which lead to an attempted escape, a scuffle and pursuit by UN military police personnel.

Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General's spokesman, stated that there were reports of the implicated soldiers "meeting after curfew in a bar beyond the base's boundaries, renowned place of prostitution". He further shared that during the arrest, UN police officers were physically assaulted and threatened by members of the South African contingent.

The scandal surfaces amidst pleas from Congolese President, Félix Tshisekedi, urging SADC countries, including South Africa, to assist the Congolese military against the M23 rebellion that has captured significant expanses of Eastern DRC. The DRC government has also expressed discontent with the UN force, requesting for an 'accelerated' exit following 25 years of unsuccessful attempts to curb violence by armed groups.

This is not an isolated incident. Past instances have seen UN contingents in Africa accused of promoting prostitution, exploitation and sexually abusing young locals around their bases. Most notably in June, Tanzania recalled a 60-strong military unit following 'allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse'.