The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has dismissed allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by its peacekeepers.
MINUSCA said that the allegations laid out in articles published by The New Humanitarian and Le Monde on October 16, mentioned places where the mission had not deployed any troops.
"We note with regret that the articles, for which we have provided detailed information, mention contingents that were never deployed in the localities where the alleged incidents took place,” the mission said in a statement on Thursday, October 17.
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It added that "the articles are mainly based on alleged testimonies from victims who, for various reasons, were either unable or unwilling to report the alleged abuse.”
The mission said measures against any sexual misconduct by peacekeepers were in place and victims are able to get the support they need, including reporting alleged cases of abuse.
"The Mission has also put in place a system enabling victims to report incidents through a number of channels,” it said.
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The allegations were also dismissed by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), whose soldiers were accused of sexual abuse against civilians in the country.
"Sexual violence against civilians by peacekeepers is unacceptable and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) takes every accusation against its troops seriously. By the author’s own account of comments from displaced civilians in Bria, sexual assaults that had been occurring previously stopped when Rwandan troops were deployed in the area,” the RDF said in a statement on Wednesday.
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"The discipline, reputation and effectiveness of Rwandan peacekeepers is not in question,” the Rwandan military said.
"For 20 years now, Rwandan peacekeepers have carried out their missions with integrity and respect for local communities, in adherence to core values of civilian protection and the responsibility to protect.”
Rwanda government deputy spokesperson Alain Mukuralinda said the accusation against Rwandan peacekeepers voiced by the two publishers might have been part of a campaign to discredit the country.
"If you analyse, you find that there is a program aimed at tarnishing Rwanda in any way possible,” Mukuralinda said.
The RDF reiterated that it would continue to support peace and stability in the Central African Republic and wherever else Rwandan peacekeepers are deployed.