The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Coordinator for improving the UN’s response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), Christian Saunders, has praised Kenyan troops serving under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for their exceptional contributions to peace and stability in eastern DRC.
“Thank you for your service in support of peace in the DRC, and thank you to the Government of Kenya for its longstanding commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations,” Mr. Saunders stated during his visit to Kenyan troops at Camp Lieutenant Masulia in Beni, North Kivu Province, on January 21, 2025..
Addressing the issue of SEA, Mr. Saunders urged commanders to remain vigilant. “Do not be complacent. Always remember that having a zero-incident record is, in itself, a red flag that should prompt even greater efforts to combat SEA,” he emphasized.
Upon his arrival, Mr. Saunders inspected a quarter guard mounted by the Kenya Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF-4) and received a briefing on the measures implemented by various contingents to ensure compliance with the UN’s Code of Conduct and its zero-tolerance policy on SEA.
Captain Ann Ngina, KENQRF-4’s National Investigation Officer, highlighted the professionalism of Kenyan troops in fulfilling MONUSCO’s mandate, particularly in protecting civilians from attacks. She credited the contingent’s adherence to duty, ongoing sensitization on the UN Code of Conduct, and zero-tolerance policy for their record of no SEA or misconduct cases.
Her sentiments were echoed by the Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Seda, who reaffirmed the Kenyan contingent’s commitment to maintaining discipline. “Improving the UN’s response to SEA is a collective effort requiring participation from all actors. We will continue to uphold professionalism and ensure that our troops adhere to the highest standards of conduct,” he said.
During his address to a joint assembly of Kenyan, Indonesian, Malawian, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi troops, Mr. Saunders underscored the importance of unity and professionalism in peacekeeping.
“We come from different countries, but we are one family. We all want the same thing: peace and stability in eastern DRC,” he said.
He further stressed the need to combat SEA, noting that it undermines the mission’s core objectives. “SEA not only causes immense harm to victims but also damages your reputation, that of your country, and the trust between the UN and the communities we serve. Such damage can be irreversible,” he warned.
Mr. Saunders was accompanied on his visit by Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) Commander, Brigadier General Richard Tobias Chagonapanja, alongside senior military officers and UN officials.
Before his current appointment, Mr. Saunders served as Assistant Secretary-General in the Department of Operational Support and as Acting Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), among other senior roles.
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