UN peacekeeper in S. Sudan accused of inappropriate touching

JUBA, South Sudan – The United Nations says a Nepalese peacekeeper in South Sudan has been accused of inappropriately touching a teenage girl in exchange for money.

The allegation in the town of Aweil comes two months after 46 Ghanaian peacekeepers were recalled when some members allegedly paid local women living in a protection camp in the town of Wau for sex.

A U.N. statement says an investigation into the latest allegation is underway.

Multiple U.N. peacekeeping missions have faced allegations of sexual abuse or exploitation in recent years, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling it a “global menace” that must end.

The U.N. has about 15,000 peacekeepers in South Sudan, whose civil war is well into a fifth year.