On the allegations of sexual abuse by African Union Peacekeepers

April 7, 2006 — Refugees International is gravely concerned, but not surprised, to hear of reports of sexual exploitation and abuse by African Union peacekeepers in Darfur, Sudan. The allegations of soldiers paying for sex, women becoming pregnant by peacekeepers, and the rape of young girls are extremely disturbing – all the more so because the African Union had been well aware that these events might happen. No military, even the US military, is exempt from sexual exploitation and abuse.

The international community, particularly the United States, must continue to support the African Union Mission in Sudan so that they can continue to protect civilians in Darfur and adequately address allegations like these. It is important to remember that the main perpetrators of the horrific acts of rape against Darfurian women are Sudanese armed groups and bandits; the African Union peacekeepers are the only force available to protect civilians. Until the government of Sudan stops allowing the violence in Darfur to continue unabated, the African Union is the only thing that stands between the women of Darfur and genocide.

Refugees International has repeatedly warned the African Union that they needed systems in place both to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse in the first place, as well as to address any charges of misconduct that might occur. In July 2005, RI issued a bulletin calling on the United States to provide more support to the African Union around this issue. In November 2005, RI released an extensive review of the challenges facing the African Union Mission in Sudan and one of the key recommendations was for the AU to establish a Conduct Discipline Unit and to ensure that all soldiers were aware of its Code of Conduct. After visiting Darfur in December 2005, RI issued a second bulletin cautioning the African Union that they must implement a mechanism to receive complaints directed against their troops for sexual exploitation and abuse.

The African Union is doing the right thing by investigating these allegations immediately. We encourage them to be transparent with their findings and applaud their statement that they will deal severely with those found to be guilty. Despite a slow start, the United Nations has increased its measures to handle the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse in its peacekeeping missions. The UN should provide technical assistance to the African Union as it crafts its response. Refugees International also reminds the African Union that the survivors of this violence must be supported.

It is extremely important that those soldiers found guilty are punished for their crimes – it is not enough to simply repatriate the guilty parties. The countries who answered the call to send in troops to protect the people of Darfur must show that when their own soldiers are the perpetrators of violence that they will hold them accountable.