C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001951

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR IO/PSC M.GURCH AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2016
TAGS: KPKO PREL ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO
COMBAT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN UN PEACEKEEPING
MISSIONS

REF: SECSTATE 112531

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES VICKI HUDDLESTON. REASON: 1.4(D)


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Neither host government, local media nor
NGOs report any significant sexual misconduct or trafficking
in persons (TIP) attributable to UN peacekeeping personnel in
Ethiopia. However, both NGOs and UNMEE headquarters report
several dozen children born out of wedlock who have allegedly
been fathered by UN peacekeepers. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) In response to reftel, Embassy Addis Ababa made
inquiries regarding the United Nations mission efforts to
prevent TIP and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) activity
among its peacekeeping forces in Ethiopia. United Nations
forces in Ethiopia are primarily stationed on the Ethiopian
and Eritrean border (Tigray region of Ethiopia), serving in
the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).
In making this assessment, post contacted the Ethiopian MFA,
local UNMEE staff, NGOs working in the Tigray area and
reviewed recent press regarding UN work in Ethiopia.


3. (SBU) The Ethiopian MFA reported not having received any
information to suggest that either UNMEE employees or
peacekeepers have been involved in TIP or SEA activities.
Further, in the recent past, the local Ethiopian media has
not published any such accusations. Locally engaged staff
(LES) at post report that, in the capital Addis Ababa at
least, there is no popular perception of such activity.


4. (C) In contacting NGOs operating in the northern Tigray
region adjacent to the border with Eritrea where most of the
UNMEE staff live and work, post received a contrasting
perspective. Specifically, representatives of Catholic
Relief Services (CRS) allege that some UNMEE personnel are
engaged in illegal sexual activity with young women in
Adigrat and other towns in Tigray. CRS reports that some
UNMEE personnel ask sexual favors from young women for money.
While the relationship is allegedly consensual, parents of
young women in the area are allegedly increasingly concerned
by reports of such activity. Some women are said to have
borne children fathered by UNMEE personnel, while none
receive child support. CRS representatives explained that
UNMEE personnel are stationed for a limited time and when
they leave the country, the stigma attached to the fatherless
children is significant in this traditional, conservative
community. Post does not have statistics for the number of
women involved in this issue, but CRS reports the number
could be as high as twenty, and that possibly many more go
unreported. CRS indicated that there are no reports of TIP
activity.


5. (C) Post discussed such allegations with UNMEE
headquarters staff in Addis Ababa. UNMEE reported that in
the past they have received some complaints of peacekeepers
in the Tigray region fathering children with Ethiopian women
and leaving Ethiopia with no financial compensation for the
mothers. However, they indicated there have been no reports
recently. UNMEE representatives also pointed out that
increasing attention has been paid to this matter and that
all incoming UN staff and peacekeepers receive &lectures8
from UN management on proper behavior and etiquette while in
Ethiopia. Further, a Conduct and Disipline team has been
created by local UN management with the mandate to
investigate any such claims and to bring any reports of such
accusations to the attention of UN management. Aside from
the few reported paternity cases, UN mission staff in Addis
Ababa have not received any complaints regarding TIP or SEA
activity in Ethiopia.
HUDDLESTON