Politics

UN Requests 'Urgent Report' on S. Sudan Sex Abuse Allegations

SEP 22 2022·Updated FEB 27 2024

Story

Image credit: Reuters [via Al Jazeera]

The Facts

UN Sec. General António Guterres has requested an "urgent report" detailing what actions have been taken by UN officials in South Sudan to address allegations of sexual abuse by aid workers at an UN-run camp and ensure accountability.
Al Jazeera
This comes after an investigation by Al Jazeera and The New Humanitarian reportedly revealed years of unchecked and widespread sexual exploitation at a UN-run refugee camp in Malakal, South Sudan, which hosts about 37K people.
The New Humanitarian
Although aid workers are said to have known since 2015 about the reported abuses at the Protection of Civilian (PoC) camp, the problem allegedly grew worse despite the efforts of a UN task force, the investigation says. The camp was set up in 2013 for people fleeing Sudan's civil war.
WiredPRNews
Earlier, in a Mar. 21 letter, the deputy head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, expressed grave concern and called for an internal review amid allegedly "increasing incidents of sexual abuse and exploitation" at the camp. The letter was reportedly only made public following the investigation.
The New Humanitarian
The investigation is reported to have also found that the alleged sexual abuse occurred "on a daily basis" and was perpetrated mostly by UN and NGO humanitarian workers who would allegedly rent out houses to sexually exploit women. UN peacekeepers also reportedly paid bribes to gain access to the victims.
Al Jazeera
The accused perpetrators come from organizations such as the International Organization of Migration, Doctors Without Borders, the World Food Program, and World Vision. Allegations include rape and sexual abuse of minors, and other forms of sexual exploitation.
WiredPRNews

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The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

Seven years after the first accusations of abuse were reported, it's clear that the UN has been ineffective in dealing with this unacceptable crisis. Though Guterres' call for a report is not a bad thing, it's only the latest in a series of inadequate "calls for action." This situation is horrific and shows systemic failure in the UN system.

The New Humanitarian

Pro-establishment narrative

Though outrageous incidents of sexual abuse haven't been fully eradicated, the UN has made strides. Since Secretary-General Guterres came to office, new protocols in training, risk assessments, and action plans have been implemented. This most recent call to action demonstrates the UN's commitment to helping these victims.