Côte d’Ivoire: UN, Moroccan officials meet to address allegations of sexual abuse
United Nations and Moroccan officials are meeting on allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) that prompted the suspension of the Moroccan contingent serving in Bouaké.
United Nations and Moroccan officials are meeting on allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) that prompted the suspension of the Moroccan contingent serving in Bouaké.
The suspension “complies with the United Nations zero tolerance policy with regard to sexual exploitation and abuse,” UNOCI said in a press release.
The UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is finalizing its investigation, announced by the world body last week, as well as a report on the allegations against the Moroccan peacekeepers.
Meanwhile in New York, representatives from the UN Department of Field Support and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations met with Moroccan officials last week and again today to discuss the situation, UN spokesperson Marie Okabe said today.
Both Departments emphasize that they are determined to take necessary action to ensure that all UN personnel are held accountable to the highest standards of behavior, she stressed.