By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 7 -- When peacekeepers from France allegedly raped children in the Central African Republic and the UN learned about it a year ago, the UN and UNICEF did nothing, until French UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous asked to fire the whistleblower in March of this year.
Babacar Gaye but not Ladsous was fired by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon; Inner City Press obtained and put Gaye's letter online here(credited here and here) citing systemic problems.
Early on September 3 yet another French "peacekeeper" rape was announced -- but not by the UN Peacekeeping mission or Ladsous, in the country, but rather by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid.
This pattern of Ladsous not only trying to cover up rapes, but being unwilling to even mention them much less take questions, continued on September 7 when on the third of his four days in CAR, Ladsous blathered with a slew of CAR authorities about everything except the rapes by MINUSCA and Sangaris, which Ladsous tried to cover up. MINUSCA published a read-out, in French only, which did not even mention the rapes. So Gaye was fired for the rapes, his replacement and the continuing deputy Diane Corner can speak about them, and Zeid -- but not Ladsous. It is time for accountability.
Also on September 7, MINUSCA condemned the burning down of a Pentecostal church in Bria, with that UNlike Ladsous released in Enligh and emailed out; the mission put out a video, this time with words -- but only by the Deputy Diane Corner, who Ladsous previously coached / used to answer question he won't about the rape charges. This DPKO video shows IDP children sleeping on the ground; the existence or validity of the consent to film is not clear. We'll have more on this.
On September 6, MINUSCA put out a video of Ladsous walking into a building, and then sitting at table. There was no content at all, much less any answers on Ladsous' role in covering up peacekeeper rapes in CAR. (Here's YouTube of Ladsous refusing to answer, and here.) Later MINUSCA issued a one page faux “news” piece about Ladsous in Bambari, in which he said not a work about the new rape charges there, but instead spoke of his trademark drones.
On September 5, MINUSCA put out a photograph of Ladsous in the country, with Gaye's and now Parfait Onanga-Anyanga's deputy staring downward. On his way to Bangui, Ladsous did an “interview,” in which he bragged of France's good works in Africa without a single word about the Sangaris rapes in CAR.
Ban Ki-moon claims the UN is taking this serious, but the official most involved doesn't even mention it. Meanwhile, a Belgian diplomat called Ladsous the DEPUTY Secretary General of the UN, dissing Jan Eliasson.
Instead, Ladsous brags how France is performing in Mali and CAR. He met -- photograph taken and UN tweeted -- with EU foreign policy chief Mogherini, here. Did SHE raise the question of UN Peacekeepers' and Sangaris' rapes, and impunity? We'll have more on this.
At the September 3 UN noon briefing, Inner City Press put a series of questions to UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, video here, transcript here and below.
On September 4 in Bangui, with Ladsous still absent, Zeid devoted 323 words to "peacekeeper" sexual abuse - but not onle of them was whistleblower, or retaliation, or even about the Panel which has now delayed its work another seven weeks, past the UN General Assembly week of UN Member States.
Zeid's pitch was to blame everything ON the Member States:
"I announced yesterday that yet another alleged case of sexual abuse or exploitation by a foreign soldier has emerged. While in this particular case the perpetrator is alleged to be a solder serving with the Sangaris, who operate separately from the UN forces here in CAR, UN soldiers have also been involved in a series of cases of alleged sexual and other forms of abuse. The Secretary-General has made his shame and disgust at these crimes clear, and I would like to add mine. There is no excuse, no mitigating circumstances, nothing at all to justify the acts themselves or the failure to apply punishments that fit the crime.
"We simply have to do better. And States must help us. Over the years many proposals have been made to improve the way we deal with this issue that so often bedevils peace-keeping operations, not least ways to deter and prevent these appalling acts against defenseless people we are supposed to be protecting. We preach the importance of combating impunity, yet – in the case of our own soldiers -- we more often than not totally fail to do so. Unfortunately, the Member States of the United Nations have repeatedly refused to adopt proposed measures to radically reduce the occurrence of sexual abuse by peacekeepers. I believe it is high time to revisit these ideas, and to do so as a matter of urgency. Earlier this morning, I discussed these issues at length with the UN Force Commander and Deputy Police Commander. The new Special Representative of the Secretary-General is going to join us in a few minutes to tell you more about the MINUSCA side of this problem, and I will be happy to elaborate on some of the measures that have been proposed in the past to try to eradicate it, but which have been rejected by the UN Member States or by individual troop-contributing countries."
As to OHCHR, and Ladsous and DPKO, this is impunity.
From the UN's September 3 transcript:
Inner City Press: I wanted to ask you about this new allegation of sexual abuse in the Central African Republic. First, I mean, this… obviously, the panel thing that you've now just said is being delayed by it seems like it's at least seven weeks, if it's into November, and it was supposed to be a 10-week process was triggered by French troops, by… by allegations against Sangaris. So, I wanted to know and I asked while he was there, did the Secretary-General inquire into these cases, into the… to French legal proceedings in the first series of rapes while he was in France with any of the officials that he met with? And I also wanted to ask you, there's a reference in Prince Zeid's press release about a paternity proceeding. And I wanted to know, are peacekeepers, including UN peacekeepers, are they immune from that or is that something that can… that can proceed? And my final question on this has to do with the waiving of immunity for testimony. I've seen that the UN has waived immunity for its staff to testify in the [Laurent] Gbagbo case. This is a document that's just come out showing that. And I know from this podium in May, you said that the UN didn't waive immunity in looking into the Sangaris cases, that it wasn't somehow necessary. What is the status of UN individuals being able to be called as witnesses?
Spokesman Dujarric: I think, as we said, if… immunity is not there to prevent justice. If people need to testify in court cases and there's a need to lift the immunity, the cases are looked at and routinely immunity is lifted. There was… the issue… and it will be obviously looked at by the panel of the immunity having to be lifted by… in order for the investigator to… the human rights investigator to talk to French authorities is moot. There was contact, and the questions were answered. On your first part, I have said this about three times already. The judicial process in France is such that an investigation is launched by an investigative judge and, once that investigation is over, it is passed on to a prosecutor, to other authorities. It is not up to anyone to ask or to inquire from the judge to where the issue is.
Inner City Press: But didn't… I mean, in his various meetings while he was in Paris, you would think he might ask what step has the French military or Sangaris in particular…?
Spokesman: Obviously, the situation in the Central African Republic came up, and we expect the French, as we do all troop contributors, to take whatever measures indeed are necessary to make sure these cases never happen again.
Inner City Press: And is Mr. [Hervé] Ladsous there? You said a couple days ago…
Spokesman: He's on his way. I think I jumped the gun already. I think he arrives… he may leave tomorrow or arrives this weekend.
Inner City Press: And is this the kind of case that MINUSCA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic] will be announcing in the future or it's just a fluke that Prince Zeid was there that this allegation…?
Spokesman: Yeah, I think Prince Zeid was there. It also was not… these did not involve peacekeepers but he was obviously briefed by the mission staff. He was there. Just it's a coincidence, so I think he found it was incumbent on the chief Human Rights Officer. I will…
Inner City Press: Why was the panel delayed? The final thing I want to ask is…
Spokesman: What they're basically telling us is they have a large volume of work and they need more time. And it's their prerogative. Yes.
On August 31 Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric why Ladsous has been allowed so long to not answer questions about the rapes, and his role in covering them up:
Inner City Press: there is a filmed statement by Under-Secretary-General Hervé Ladsous put on UNiFEED. It was put on the UN's website, and it was taken down. There was no Q&A. What was that produced for, what was the purpose, and why doesn't he just take questions on it?
Spokesman Dujarric: I think the… I think the, you know, I think the opinions expressed by Mr. Ladsous in the video are clear and his very clear condemnation of acts of sexual abuse and sexual violence. Mr. Ladsous is heading off to Bangui, I believe, tomorrow or in the coming days, to take a look for his own at the situation on the ground and to follow up, obviously, on what we've seen in the past month. He has expressed a willingness to then speak to the press upon his return.
We'll see about that - here is what Zeid, not Ladsous or MINUSCA, announced on September 3:
"The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein announced Thursday that UN staff in the Central African Republic (CAR) learned on August 30 that a girl was allegedly sexually abused around a year ago by a member of the French military force, known as Sangaris. The girl, who is believed to have been in her mid to late teens at the time of the alleged abuse, gave birth to a child in April.
“This is the latest in a series of appalling allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by foreign troops in CAR,” Zeid said. “Although this particular case did not involve UN peacekeepers, there have been a number of other cases in CAR – and elsewhere – which have. We simply have to find ways to prevent such odious acts being committed by any soldiers anywhere who are supposed to be protecting vulnerable populations.”
The High Commissioner, who is currently visiting CAR, said that the French authorities have been informed of this latest allegation and said the United Nations stands ready to assist in an investigation. He added that governments of troop-contributing countries have an obligation to investigate all such cases in a timely manner. 'Any UN or other foreign military personnel found guilty must be given sentences that fit the crime,; Zeid said.
The UN human rights chief said his office is working closely with the UN mission in CAR, known as MINUSCA, and with UNICEF which, through its partners, will provide psycho-social support and legal assistance for the girl and her family. The victim has lodged a paternity case with the local authorities."
Back on August 27 Inner City Press asked the UN's Office of the Spokesperson "UNIFEED in the past week circulated a video of DPKO USG Ladsous speaking about sexual abuse by peacekeepers, saying 'leadership' must be held accountable, but taking no questions. The video appeared on the UN website, but has since been removed. Please state when the video was made, for what audience, and why it was removed from the UN Webcast website."
This question was not answered so on August 31 Inner City Press asked the UN's returned lead spokesman Stephane Dujarric, see above, and nnerCityPro.com fast transcription:
ICP: on OIOS, I’ve asked whether Carman LaPointe is in fact attending a conference from September 8 to 11 in Manilla and if so, what would be the point.
Dujarric: Well, I don’t have an updated travel schedule for every USG but I think even if she is on the last days of mandate, I think she has a tremendous amount of experience to share, things to share about what she’s been doing over the last 5 years. I don’t see any issue with her continuing to travel and attend conferences as she sees fit, if she is indeed attending the conference.
ICP: How many people from OIOS are going to the conference?
Dujarric: I don’t know.
It is public money; this applies to Ladsous as well. We'll have more on this.
On August 25 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told French President Francois Hollande of his "commitment in addressing issues of misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, by UN peacekeepers." Full read-out below. If Ban is so committed, as Gaye was treated, he will treat his supervisor Ladsous.
Ladsous, rather than taking any questions, issued a one-way statement on the UN's own "UNIFEED," here, in which he intoned without apparent irony that sexual abuse cases means "the leadership" hasn't done what it should have done. So the Senegalese Gaye who worked for him was fired, but Ladsous not, or not yet.
Ban's trip this week to Paris provides Ban the change to do what he should long ago have done. Will he do it? Will the long delayed other shoe drop?
On August 20 it was Gaye's deputy Diane Corner who took questions about the new round of rape allegations - and not DPKO boss Ladsous. Inner City Press asked Corner, without answer, if Ladsous when he was in Bangui on April 28 was briefed about the rapes -- more about this later. Her answer was that Troop Contributing Countries are given SIX MONTHS to name a national investigative official. Video here; below is a transcript by InnerCityPro.com.
Here is the UN's Ban - Hollande read out:
"The Secretary-General met today in Paris with the President of the French Republic, H. E. Mr. Francois Hollande.
They discussed the latest developments in the lead up to the Climate Change Conference in Paris in December (COP-21) as well as the next steps to be taken to ensure an ambitious outcome. In this regard, they noted the importance of, and different ways of engaging Heads of State and Governments on climate change, including on the margins of the 70th session of the General Assembly in New York in September as well as at other meetings involving leaders. They also agreed on the importance of generating signals about the climate finance package for COP-21 as early as possible, such as at the meeting of Finance Ministers in Lima in October. They also agreed on the importance of operationalizing the Green Climate Fund, and of reaching out to all Member States to further accelerate momentum in the coming months.
They also discussed a number of peace and security issues, including the situation in Ukraine, Syria, Libya and the Middle East Peace Process. On the Central African Republic, they noted progress towards elections and restoring security. The Secretary-General stressed his resolve and commitment in addressing issues of misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse, by UN peacekeepers.
In the aftermath of his visit to Nigeria, the Secretary-General and President Hollande also discussed the threat of Boko Haram across the region and the need to address violent extremism everywhere."
On August 21, Inner City Press asked UN Associate Spokesperson Eri Kaneko about discrepancies and the six month delay, video here:
Inner City Press: since you were the moderator yesterday, I wanted to ask you this. First, you know, there were several of them, that’s why I’m asking, inconsistencies between what Ms. Corner said and the response to question sheet that went out. Some incidents that didn’t appear, for example, she—
Associate Spokesperson: No, we’ve seen, and I asked the very same question. And what our colleagues at DPKO tell us is that the incidents are the same. Nothing… there are no… it’s the same number of incidents listed, sorry. The sheet that we originally gave you, I think, had something like nine or something, but that didn’t include the incidents that we’ve told you about that took place in PK5 and in Bambari this month, as well as a previous incident in 2014, but the rest are all the same.
Inner City Press: But the reason, and I just, I guess maybe you can ask them this again, the problem was that the sheet, as handed out on the 19th, said the incident from December was still, an investigation is still ongoing and then she said it’s closed. So did it get closed in one day or… and the other one was she described an incident in March, but it didn’t seem to be any listed in March on the sheet. This is why I have these concerns.
Associate Spokesperson: My understanding is that is the latest information that we have and that is—
Inner City Press: So what she said supersedes the 19—
Associate Spokesperson: What she said supersedes the 19th.
Inner City Press: Was there a rape in March or there wasn’t a rape in March? That’s the problem I have.
Associate Spokesperson: We’re going to go with her sheet yesterday.
[laughter]
Question: And the more substantive part of it is I hadn’t realized it until she said it as part of a response yesterday but that there’s 10 days for a Member State to say that they’re going to do something, and then the UN gives them six months to name a national investigative officer. So I’ve heard UN officials say that, even after four months after the Thabit rapes in Darfur, that this was too much time to find any evidence. So I wonder, how do you square those two? Does the UN think it’s reasonable to give a country six months to even begin investigating an alleged rape? And, if so, what… maybe is that one of the reasons nobody has ever been convicted…
Associate Spokesperson: I think…
[inaudible]
Associate Spokesperson: Well, first of all, that’s not true. People have been, I think dozens of people actually have been convicted in their national courts. I don’t have the exact number. But what she mentioned yesterday was that, you know, even if… even in that time where we’re waiting to hear back from Governments, whether it be to… whether to get their initial response or whether they import… appoint a national investigator, I believe what she said is they do their best to preserve the evidence, because initially they do look into every case to ensure, well, to look into the credibility of these cases. So she did say… I’m just looking at what she said yesterday.
[The Associate Spokesperson later clarified that there is a six-month timeline for completing investigations, subject to extenuating circumstances.]
Inner City Press: Sure.
Associate Spokesperson: But that they do do their best to, uh, act quickly and preserve the evidence which provides the basis for conviction and punishment to perpetrators.
Let me get back to you, let me get back to you.
The bracketed "clarification," which differs from what DSRSG Corner said, was not conveyed to Inner City Press except when the transcript was put online after 8 pm.
On August 24, the UN emailed Inner City Press: "regarding your question at the noon briefing on Friday on the CAR - just to clarify, there is a six-month timeline for completing investigations, subject to extenuating circumstances."
After the cut-off, there was more:
Inner City Press: I have some other questions, but I just… I guess what I wanted to ask about this is what is the UN’s rationale for giving six months between a State saying, yes, we will investigate and even naming a national investigative person, an official? Why does that take six months? Because it seems almost inevitable whatever you’ve said about preserving evidence, that people move away. People are displaced. In CAR, six months later, you’re probably not going to… some of the witnesses are not going to be there. What’s the purpose of the six months?
Associate Spokesperson: I hear your question. That’s a policy, that’s a UN policy, but as I’m sure you’ve seen in the Secretary-General’s address to the Security Council last week, he himself has said that he would like to improve these mechanisms. So let’s see what happens.
Let's. Transcript of August 20:
Inner City Press: It was said yesterday that the procedure is to give the TCC 10 days to begin an investigation. Can you say, is it a rolling deadline? And, where is USG Ladsous on this? Was he briefed on April 28?
DSRSG Corner: I can tell you I had a conversation with Mr. Ladsous today. I can assure you that he takes this very seriously. In terms of investigations, there is, the Troop Contributing Country has to respond within 10 days once UN Headquarters has been in contact with it. But they cannot refer information, and they have 6 months, from the date of notification, to put in place the national investigating officer. Those are the current UN rules on this. So that is, that’s why sometimes it takes a little longer to put in place the investigation. But we do try to inform people as quickly as we can. What we want to do is try to get enough credible evidence to show that there is a case to answer. Sometimes that takes a little bit of time, we’re working in difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances. For example, in PK5 last week there was a period of time when it was judged unsafe for our personnel to go into PK5, so we had to consider the risk to our personnel as well. That was then reassessed, and we were able to continue our investigations.
Inner City Press: In yesterday’s fact sheet, there was one case where it said the country was informed on July 29, response is awaited. That’s more than 10 days. Has there been a request from the country?
DSRSG Corner: I have to check with colleagues in UN headquarters as to how that is following up. But certainly we are tracking these places very closely. It has to be done through headquarters to get the formal response to whether or not they are going to be appointing a national investigation. That is the procedure. But I can assure you that we do take it seriously and we are very keen to get moving.
Corner did not answer if Ladsous was told on April 28, instead saying that she spoke with Ladsous earlier in the day. So why wasn't he the one answering questions?
On August 19 the UN disclosed three more rape allegations in CAR. UN Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci said UNHQ learned of the allegations on "August 13 or 14." Then why not disclose them until August 19? Inner City Press asked Maestracci if Ladsous will answer.Video here.
Later on August 19 the UN issued a page and a half "in reponse to questions at the Noon Briefing," which @InnerCityPress tweeted hereand here.
But what Corner said on August 20 is not consistent with the August 19 note. Here is InnerCityPro.com's rush transcription of Corner's litany, with annotations in brackets and italics:
The first recorded case was in Bambari in December 2014. That was – the allegation was found to be unsubstantiated and the case has been closed.
[In the August 19 note, for the only allegation from December 2014 it says "investigation is ongoing." Did it get closed in one day, between August 19 and August 20?]
And next was in Bangui in March this year, 2015. This case is under investigation. I should say that a member of uniformed personnel of MINUSCA has been repatriated.
[In the note of August 19, there is no case from March 2015; there are two from May, on one of which "response is awaited from the member state.]
There was a third case reported in Bangui in May. An investigation by an investigator from the Troop Contributing Country concerned is ongoing.
There was a fourth case reported in Bria in the east of Central African Republic in June, and again, the investigation is being handled, is ongoing, by the Troop Contributing Country.
In June, another case was reported in Bangui and again, it’s under investigation by the Troop Contributing Country.
[There are two allegations from June in the August 19 note, but on one it says "response awaited from the member state," while Corner on Augsut 20 said both June allegations are already under investigation by the member state.]
In July, one case was reported in Bangui, one uniformed personnel has so far been repatriated pending the outcome of an investigation.
Also in July, we received one alleged case from Berberati in the west of the central African Republic. This allegation is being handled by United Nations investigators.
In August, two separate cases were reported in Rafai, in the south east of the country. In one case, it was still awaiting a response from the Troop Contributing Country involved, and in the other, a joint investigation is being conducted by the UN and the authorities from the TCC.
Again in August, we received one case as reported by Amnesty International in Bangui. The Troop Contributing Countries have been informed. I should say there are four nationalities involved in this operation, which complicates the work to identify the nationality of the perpetrators and therefore, the Troop Contributing Country which is responsible for carrying forward the investigation.
Lastly, there are three separate cases relating to alleged instances in Bambari, and the matter again is being referred to the Troop Contributing Country very quickly, which has undertaken to take action.
So that’s the state of where we are with each of the cases. As far as we’re aware, there have not been any convictions so far, we have the one case in December which was closed, and the rest of the cases have started since March, and the investigations are still underway.
But this litany does not jibe even with the UN's own "response to questions" distributed the day before on August 19.
The UN note on August 19 said that in 2015 as of July 31 -- that is, before the one Bangui August 3 and three Bambari rapes now disclosed -- there've been nine allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse recorded by OIOS for MINUSCA.
In one case, the contributing country itself asked for repatriation. This is not a trial or discipline.
Even this self-serving presentation is inconsistent with that UN spokesperson Maestracci said earlier in the day. For example, she said “Per procedure, the Troop Contributing Country has been asked to indicate within ten days if it intends to investigate the allegations itself. Should the member State decline to investigate or fail to respond, the UN will rapidly conduct its own investigation.”
But this supposed ten day deadline is not, apparently, the procedures. In the “fact” sheet distributed later on August 19, the UN disclosed a rape allegation notified to the member state on July 29 then says “Response is awaited from the member state.” Awaited after more than twenty, rather than 10, days?
Inner City Press specifically asked Corner about this, but it was not explained.
What was said is that the UN gives TCCs SIX MONTHS to even name a National Investigative Officer. How much evidence is left after that much time? We'll have more on this.
The UN gave a second round of questions to Agence France Presse, but not Inner City Press. Watch this site.
Likeness the ten (or is it twenty?) day deadline can be extended. In another case, the UN says it notified the member state on July 6; “further request to member state, providing further details on identity of the military personnel was sent on 3 August. Response is awaited from the member state -- more than forty days after the first request, and more than two weeks after the second request.
And this is by the UN's own accounting. It is time for an outside accounting and investigation, and for UN Peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous to be held accountable.
Inner City Press observed Ladsous, who has answered no questions on the scandals, emerge smiling from the Security Council on August 19. Inner City Press asked Council President Joy Ogwu if Ladsous, in briefing Councnil members in consultations, disclosed the new rape charges. No, he did not.
We'll have more on this.
Here is some of what Meastracci read out, previously tweeted by@InnerCityPress:
“On the Central African Republic, the UN Mission there said this morning that a new series of disturbing allegations of misconduct have recently come to light. The events allegedly took place in recent weeks. These new allegations concern a report that three young females, including a minor, were raped by three members of a MINUSCA military contingent.
“The allegations were reported to the Mission's Human Rights Division on 12 August 2015 by the families of the three women. After receiving the report, the Mission informed the UN Headquarters in New York, which notified the Office of Internal Oversight Services and the Troop Contributing Country in question. The Department of Field Support has requested to meet with the Member state immediately.
“Per procedure, the Troop Contributing Country has been asked to indicate within ten days if it intends to investigate the allegations itself. Should the member State decline to investigate or fail to respond, the UN will rapidly conduct its own investigation..
“The Mission reiterates its commitment to combating all forms of misconduct by its personnel. It calls on anyone in possession of information to come forward in this regard and assures them that they will be protected,” the statement on Wednesday concluded."
Protected like Anders Kompass?
Consider for example the sadly similar report of UN Peacekeepers raping underaged girls in the DR Congo on which Inner City Press reported in August 2012, noting even then that Ladsous refused to answer Press questions about peacekeeping-related rapes.
In those cases, reported by Victoria Fontan then of theUniversity for Peace, it is not clear even if the peacekeepers are issued were disciplined or put on trial.
Inner City Press on August 17 asked UN Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci about the cases. After being told "you are so no interested in the answers" and then to ask such questions by email rather than in the briefing - why? - Inner City Press has sent this to Maestracci and the lead spokesman:
"At today's noon briefing, after a presentation from the podium about how the UN will follow through, be transparent and help victim(s) of the August 3 rape allegations in the Central African Republic, I asked about the following previous (sample) case in the DR Congo and was told to just “email the information” (and, apparently, not asked about it in other ways, like at the briefing).
In any case, this is the case that I asked about, and I am reiterating the request for the UN and DPKO to say what ever happened in this specific case, which I asked about in 2012 and which was reported in the Toronto Globe and Mail, here:
'In February, 2011, two orphans, Gisèle, then 14, and her sister Espérance, 15, were attacked by five soldiers, three from MONUSCO and two from the Congo’s notoriously undisciplined and brutal army. While the Congolese were beating Gisèle, Espérance was gang raped and beaten by the three white MONUSCO soldiers. She was both badly injured and pregnant. Last October, Espérance gave birth by cesarean section. Her son died two days later.'
"What did the Mission, DPKO and the UN do about this, and what was the outcome?"
On August 19, Maestracci said the UN has no records of these cases.Video here. We hope to have more on this.
Why haven't the SRSGs of other missions like in the DR Congo (or South Sudan) been treated like Gaye? Consider the nation(s) they come from. And the boss and responsible of it all, Ladsous? We'll have more on this.
After Ban Ki-moon briefed the Security Council behind closed doors, US Ambassador Samantha Power but not UNSC President Joy Ogwu of Nigeria spoke for 24 minutes at the stakeout (while taking questions only from Reuters, AP and the WSJ.)
On August 14, Inner City Press asked Central African Republic and UN Peacekeeping rape questions to Ambasssador Joy Ogwu (video here); she replied to Inner City Press:
"Well, I thought I would brief yesterday, but I waited for a long time, this podium was busy, so I decided to leave. Well, there was a consensus on the action that was taken. I think it was Shakespeare who said, there is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood leads on to fortune. The Secretary General got to the point where he drew the line. To say, to indicate that there is, and to reaffirm zero tolerance on this matter of sexual violence against women. I don’t think there were any differences on the action that he took, we supported that action, and indeed that it should broaden beyond the Central African Republic. All the contributors, troop contributors, must be that way, that the point of no return has been reached, and it needs to be taken very very seriously. It had to happen at some point. That’s some line, the dividing line. So there was no specific target."
(The UN's UNIFEED, here, cut the podium reference and Inner City Press' question.)
Also on August 14 Inner City Press asked Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric, video here, transcript here:
Inner City Press: I wanted to ask on sexual abuse and UN peacekeeping. In this room, a couple of times, you've used this figure of 57 complaints and 11 having to do with sexual abuse or sexual exploitation in MINUSCA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic]. And you've said to look at the report to UNGA [United Nations General Assembly] for comparison. But, when you look at that report, it doesn't… MINUSCA's not even in the top three. So, are the numbers that you're using are comparable to these numbers, or can you produce similar numbers for other missions to know what the scope of the problem is?
Spokesman: Those numbers that we have are the most updated numbers for MINUSCA. If we have other updated numbers for other missions, we'll share them with you. [After the briefing, none were provided.]
Inner City Press: That's what we've been asking for, for several days.
Spokesman: Okay.
Inner : Okay. I wanted to ask you about a quote that was given by the Spokesman for MINUSCA that I'm sure you may have seen, to Lauren Wolfe for Foreign Policy magazine.. I'm going to read you this quote, because I think you'll have a response to it. Mr. Hamadoun Touré said as follows: "When peacekeepers arrived at the site, they were attacked immediately with heavy weapons. I'm sorry, but I don't think someone would think of raping someone at this time. I think they just think of escape. He will think, I'm a human being before I am a man. If you're under fire, I think you're just saving your life. Really, in this situation, you don't really think of a girl," i.e. equating the rape of a 12-year-old with being a man or… what do you think of this comment and… and what… what are the implications of it?
Spokesman: I think the comment does not reflect in any way, shape or form the opinion of the Secretary-General, the United Nations or the peacekeeping mission. Clearly, our thoughts and our work and our focus should be on the victims of sexual abuse, whether in the CAR [Central African Republic] or anywhere else. There is no excuse for rape, none, period. So, that's what I'm saying. So, the quote is of… does not in any way reflect the position of the Secretary-General, the peacekeeping or the Mission itself.
Inner City Press: Do you… I’d say the problems extend, go both below Mr. [Babacar] Gaye but also above Mr. Gaye. It seems like… the final thing I wanted to ask you is…
Spokesman: Matthew, I will come back to you.
After this cut-off, later more:
Dujarric: Mr. Lee?
Inner City Press: Here's what I was trying to ask you about CAR, and I also want to ask about Burundi. The Government Accountability Project, who, you know, we've… you've said from there you respect much, said: "In demanding Gaye's resignation, the Secretary-General apparently thought it's time to look serious about peacekeepers and sexual assault." They go on to say that, if the Secretary-General were serious… and they go back to the Sangaris case that was… in which Mr. [Anders] Kompass was… was… says he was urged to resign by Mr. [Hervé] Ladsous, they urged the Secretary-General to suspend the investigation of Mr. Kompass if he's actually serious, as he said at the stakeout. What's your response to that?
Spokesman: I do respect GAP. It doesn't mean I need to agree with them. I think the Secretary-General made an unprecedented decision yesterday, and he sent strong [message] to UN officials that there will be institutional accountability. On the CAR… on the Sangaris case, he has called for and implemented a full review, led by Marie Deschamps in Canada. We look forward to receiving that review and acting on its recommendations.
Inner City Press: I wanted to ask about Parfait. Obviously, in these remarks that you were… put online earlier today, it said that Mr. Parfait Onanga [Anyanga] is now replacing Mr. Gaye, beginning early next week. It seems pretty fast and it's obviously a very fast process. So, I wanted to ask, in terms of Burundi, what exactly is the sticking point on the… multiply decided imminent…?
Spokesman: There are two different situations. The consultations on appointing a new envoy for Burundi are continuing. As soon as we have something to announce we will announce it.
When covering this was over, Ban's spokesman's office was closed. Stories appeared quoting Ban's remarks and praising him, with no mention of the head of UN Peacekeeping Herve Ladsous, who had not deigned to return from his vacation for the scandal and firing of Gaye, or even to call his putative boss Ban Ki-moon.
Now on the morning of August 14 when Ban's Spokesperson's office reopened, there were Ban's remarks out on the counter. They run four and a half pages and do not once mention Ladsous, only Babacar Gaye (whose name is not forever linked with rape as Ladsous' more properly should be) and Gaye's quick replacement Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, who previously represented Ban in Burudni, where Ban cannot this week bring himself to name an envoy amid torture and threats.
Whether anything will come of Ban's four and a half pages remains to be seen. The Free UN Coalition for Access is fighting this lack of transparency, and lack of accountability. Watch this site.
