UN soldier accused of rape, inquiry under way

The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known as MONUC, has opened an investigation into a UN peacekeeper accused of trying to rape a 10 year-old girl in the eastern DRC city of Goma.

The incident allegedly occurred on 26 December and involved a soldier of the 232-strong Moroccan contingent stationed in the city. The girl was examined at the Goma General Hospital after her family accused the soldier. Results showed that there was a "probable rape attempt", according to MONUC, and investigations were launched by MONUC and the Rwandan-backed Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) armed opposition movement that controls the region.

"MONUC deplores all acts of violence, and particularly any such ignoble act against minors," the UN said on 27 December. "The results of the inquiry should determine who was responsible. There is no question that, should a MONUC staff member be involved, appropriate punitive measures will be taken."

Media sources reported this week that the RCD-Goma has asked MONUC to remove the soldier from Goma. However, a MONUC spokesperson told IRIN on Thursday that no formal request had yet been received. RCD-Goma could not be reached for comment.

This is the first time that a MONUC soldier has been accused of rape, the MONUC spokesperson said. As of this week, the total number of MONUC peacekeepers in the DRC stood at 3,379, including 447 military observers.