Condemning all cases of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by its personnel, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) today said that it is determined to “stamp out” this “extremely seriously problem.”

Welcoming Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s commitment to strictly enforce his ‘zero tolerance’ policy against sexual exploitation or abuse by United Nations personnel, the Security Council today stressed the importance of the UN quickly investigating the most recent allegations of misconduct by peacekeepers, and if substantiated, working with the troop contributing countries involved to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Staff from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have met with a young girl in the Central African Republic reportedly raped by a UN police officer, the head of the agency has announced, explaining that UNICEF is providing her with “every possible help,” including medical assistance and support to deal with the psychological impact of the ordeal.

Vowing “decisive action” on reports of sexual exploitation committed by United Nations peacekeepers deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that he has accepted the resignation of the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, scheduled a special session of the Security Council on the matter, and pledged the Organization’s commitment to bringing any and all perpetrators of such abuse to justice.