UN Mission in Ethiopia, Eritrea to probe misconduct charges against former peacekeeper

The United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) today said it would investigate recent allegations of serious misconduct against a former member of the peacekeeping contingent.

According to a statement released from UNMEE headquarters, Italian media first reported last week that an unidentified former member of the Italian contingent was being investigated in Italy by a military prosecutor for allegedly having sex with underage girls while serving in the Mission area. The Italian units serving during the alleged incident have already been rotated out of the Mission and replaced by new Italian peacekeepers.

Noting that the allegations had never been previously reported to the mission, UNMEE said it considered them "very serious" and pledged to investigate the incident.

"The Mission has zero tolerance towards such acts and will do its utmost to quickly and thoroughly establish the facts. UNMEE will strive to respect the laws, culture, traditions, customs and practices of the two host countries," the statement said. It added that once the information has been gathered and assessed, the head of the Mission, Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, will determine the scope and depth of appropriate measures to be taken.

"All UN peacekeepers are bound by their Code of Conduct which reminds them that they should not indulge in immoral acts of sexual, physical or psychological abuse or exploitation of the local population, especially women and children," UNMEE said.