By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, August 13 -- With the UN shown to have covered-up rapes not only in the Central African Republic, by its own UN peacekeepers and the French Sangaris force, but also in Tabit in Darfur and Minova in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before that, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met behind closed doors with the 15 members of the Security Council on August 13. Now on August 14, the US State Department in Washington has issued a statement, below.
Conspicuously absent from the August 13 meeting, and from the UN during this week of scandal for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, was the head of DPKO, Herve Ladsous. He is, in the French way, on vacation; Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric told Inner City Press that Ladsous had not even spoken with Ban about the scandal.
Last month's Security Council president told the press that this months president, Joy Ugwu of Nigeria, would be coming to the UNTV stakeout to provide a summary of the meeting. Then it was said that Ogwu would stakeout along with the US Ambassador, Samantha Power. Then finally, only Samantha Power spoke. Video here.
Power's new spokesperson pointedly allowed only three questions, from Reuters (who she'd called on for Power's most recent stakeout on August 7, here), Associated Press (which also asked about ISIS and an upcoming Arria formula meeting about LGTBI) and finally... the Wall Street Journal.
Inner City Press asked, as it would have asked Joy Ogwu, if making troop contributing countries disclose whether they prosecute suspects and the results was discussed. Power's spokesperson said pointedly, I've already called on [Reuters.] But on August 14, Inner City Press asked Ogwu, here.
Now on August 14, we publish this full text from the State Department's Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner:
"The United States is profoundly shocked and dismayed by allegations and incidents of serious misconduct by UN peacekeepers serving in the UN Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The most recent of those allegations includes rape and civilian casualties during an arrest operation in early August. These allegations raise serious concerns about the mission’s discipline and command. They must be investigated immediately and thoroughly, with appropriate punishment and accountability for the perpetrators.
"We welcome recent actions from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon including convoking leaders of UN peacekeeping missions, and calling for yesterday’s special session of the Security Council to discuss these serious allegations and the efforts he is taking to strengthen the UN's response and institute a policy of zero tolerance for misconduct of any kind by UN peacekeepers and staff.
"The United States remains convinced of the importance of MINUSCA in supporting the transition process underway in the Central African Republic and of the central utility of UN peacekeeping in advancing peace and reconciliation in regions afflicted with violence. Instances of abuse such as these and others in recent years, however, threaten to undermine the credibility of this crucial tool for conflict resolution. We will continue to push the UN for urgent action to improve vetting, implement measures to protect civilians from abuse and exploitation, and investigate any allegations and take and appropriate action. The United States also calls upon Member States to ensure that their personnel serving in UN peacekeeping missions are subject to investigations and appropriate legal action at home for any crimes they may commit while in service as a peacekeeper.
"The United States reaffirms its support for MINUSCA’s vast efforts to support the population of the Central African Republic and we call on all parties to renew and demonstrate their commitment to free, fair, and peaceful elections."
So the US will "continue to push the UN for urgent action" - while the head of UN Peacekeeping Herve Ladsous, who also covered up rapes in Darfur, remains on vacation, UNurgent?
On August 13, the rest of the press corps was there, apparently, just as extras to make it look free-wheeling. And so after entirely predictable hand-picked questions, Inner City Press asked Power, on the mass rapes in Tabit in Darfur, has anything been done? The question was perfectly audible. But there was no answer.
Here's why it's important: many on the Security Council including the US spoke a lot about UN Peacekeeping's cover-up of rapes in Tabit in Darfur last year. But nothing has been done: no one disciplined, much less fired. If there was no follow through on that, how will there be on this?
Relatedly, while much is made of trying to get European countries to contribute more troops to UN Peacekeeping, the French government did nothing about allegations its soldiers raped children in CAR, which that government received from the UN's Ander Kompass in July 2014. So how would their inclusion automatically make things better?
These are questions that should be answered, or at least allowed. These are questions that will be pursued. Watch this site.
Note: from the USUN transcript:
Moderator: [Inaudible] call on folks. Joe. Joe has raised his hand. And then that’s the last question.
