France denies cover-up over troops' 'sex abuse' in Central African Republic...

France is investigating allegations that its peacekeepers sexually abused children in the Central African Republic after a leaked UN report said victims as young as eight were raped in exchange for food and money.

The French government "was made aware at the end of July 2014 by the UN's high commission for human rights of accusations by children that they had been sexually abused by French soldiers," the defence ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

An investigation was opened shortly after by Paris prosecutors, it said.
French leader Francois Hollande on Thursday vowed to "show no mercy" if the peacekeeping troops were found guilty.

"If some soldiers have behaved badly, I will show no mercy," he told reporters on a visit to the northwestern city of Brest.

 The defence ministry vowed to take measures to ensure that "the truth be found" and said "the strongest penalties" would be imposed on those found responsible. Full story...

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