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UN peacekeepers suspended for sexual misconduct

Two soldiers serving with the UN peacekeeping operation in Burundi, known as ONUB, have been suspended from duty while they are officially investigated for allegations of sexual misconduct. "This mission will not waver from its responsibility to the Burundian people and international community to ensure absolute implementation of the UN Secretary-General's zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel," ONUB said in a statement on Friday. ONUB said the alleged misconduct took place in the northeastern province of Muyinga and that the investigation started on Monday and would be concluded "expeditiously". "No other further details, or comments, will be provided at this time in order not to prejudice the official investigation," ONUB said. In November, UN headquarters sent two separate teams to the Democratic Republic of Congo to investigate 150 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of the host population by civilian and military personnel serving in the peacekeeping mission there.

This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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