Bunia 28 August 2015: MONUSCO conduct and discipline unit in Bunia convened in the conference room of its headquarters local actors as well as substantive sections to set up a whistleblowing mechanism to denounce and prevent any act of sexual exploitation and abuse by the United Nations staff.

The meeting was attended by delegates from the United Nations Joint Human Rights Bureau, advisors on women related matters, child protection section, local human rights NGOs, Congolese National Police and Lawyers. At the end of the discussions, decision was made to set up a joint committee (MONUSCO and local actors) to reporting any allegations against the UN staff on sexual exploitation and abuse.

Moreover, the committee is tasked to update the local population on the UN code of conduct and the means available to fight sexual abuse and exploitation committed by United Nations staff public awareness campaigns, radio programs and plays. Participants highlighted that meetings with NGOs and local populations should continue to bring the two parties to avoid making false accusations which would tarnish the UN image.

Pending the designation of focal points and a monthly meeting with the latter, the idea of setting up a green number to make available to the populations every information needed over the issue submitted for the attention of the population are ongoing.

Laurent Sam OUSSOU