UN probing sex abuse allegations in Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations says its peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic is investigating the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl by peacekeepers from Burundi in early March and the sexual exploitation of a woman by a member of the Moroccan military contingent in February.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Monday these new allegations follow recently reported allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by U.N. and non-U.N. forces as well as civilians in Kemo prefecture, east of the capital Bangui, in 2014 and 2015. A U.N. team sent to the area is currently gathering information about those allegations, he said.

The United Nations has been in the spotlight for months over allegations of child rape and other sexual abuses by its peacekeepers, especially those based in Central African Republic and Congo.