French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday that he vows to make an example out of any of the French soldiers that are found guilty of child sex abuse charges that were committed in Central African Republic. According to a judicial report, nearly 14 soldiers have allegedly been involved in the abuse between December 2013 and June 2014, all of whom could face punishment.
The child sex abuse charges came out to the public this week from an internal U.N. report. Hollande stated this incident could possibly risk hurting France’s reputation regarding their peacekeeping missions in Central Africa. France’s Defense Ministry stated the alleged abuse occurred at the center for displaced people in the capital of Bangui, involving around 10 children. The ministry said they, “would take all necessary measures to establish the truth.”
Although the soldiers have yet to be questioned by investigators, Hollande claims he, “will be implacable,” towards the accused. During his time in office, Hollande has been a strong supporter of using French military forces to keep their ex-colonies at peace. Mali and Central African Republic were in battle Islamic extremists before the French drove them out in 2013.
By Alex Lemieux
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Photo by Saly Bechsin – Creativecommons Flickr License
