The United Nations has suspended a Moroccan peacekeeping unit in Ivory Coast following an investigation into allegations of widespread sexual abuse committed by U.N. peacekeepers in the nation.
U.N. officials said Saturday the Moroccan contingent of at least 732 soldiers has been confined to its barracks in the northern city of Bouake.
Soldiers from Morocco, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ghana make up the U.N. peacekeeping force of about 9,000 U.N. troops in Ivory Coast.
In a statement Friday, the U.N. said its internal investigation revealed serious allegations of abuses in Ivory Coast and a full investigation is under way.
The world body restated its zero-tolerance policy against sexual abuse and exploitation in response to numerous allegations of misconduct by U.N. peacekeeping forces around the world.
The U.N. peacekeepers, backed by troops from France, are deployed in the West African nation to prevent new fighting between the northern-based rebels and the southern-based government. The two sides signed a peace deal in March.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
