By DPA
New York : The United Nations (UN) has launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct by its peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including charges of weapons and gold trafficking.
The department of peacekeeping in New York has sent investigators to the vast West African nation, and it’s head said Friday that preliminary findings showed signs that one person was involved in smuggling gold in the country.
“The investigation has found no evidence of gun smuggling, but it has identified an individual who seems to have facilitated gold smuggling,” said Jean-Marie Guehenno.
“We have shared the report with the concerned troop contributors and I’m confident they will take the required action,” Guehenno said. “The issue is closed.”
The peacekeeping department said a team of management auditors would go to Kinshasa “to obtain a full picture of various recent allegations of serious misconduct against UN personnel serving with the UN mission in Congo.”
It said the auditors would evaluate the maintenance of good order and discipline in the mission and report back to UN headquarters. The UN mission in Congo has more than 20,000 military personnel and civilians – its largest force in the world.
The Pakistani contingent in the mission was accused of selling gold and guns to Congolese militia groups, which had to be disarmed by the peacekeepers in 2005 and 2006. But an investigation cleared the Pakistanis, the UN said.
UN peacekeepers in Congo have come under fire in the past, charged with sexually exploiting refugees under their care. Several peacekeepers were found guilty and repatriated to face punishment at home by their governments.