A Facebook post claiming that MINUSCA is complicit in the abuse of crossing guards is false.
Posted on March 12, 2023, by a Facebook account “Sango Ti Bé-africa,” the post’s caption states: “MINUSCA is said to be complicit in the mistreatment of crossing guards.” Beware of this post’s content.
However, after checking with the UN mission in Central Africa and the crossing guards’ management, it appears this information is unfounded.
Verification:
Contacted via WhatsApp on March 16, 2023, Vladimir Monteiro, spokesperson for MINUSCA, stated: “This is false; it is just manipulation and part of attacks aimed at discrediting MINUSCA.”
Similarly, Guy Karima, one of the spokespersons contacted by AFC, said: “The security agents mentioned did not sign contracts with MINUSCA but rather with this company. It is dishonest to link MINUSCA to the mistreatment of contract agents from a private national company, especially since MINUSCA has not received any complaints.”
Wongo Rachel, an assistant at the private security company “Croisement,” responded: “Our company is linked to MINUSCA through a contract, and so far no cases of mistreatment have been reported from our staff.”
However, Nguessa Bougos, one of the security agents from the Croisement company, denied MINUSCA’s involvement and confirmed that the mistreatment occurs within the company: “The link between MINUSCA and Croisement is the contract, but the management of personnel is handled by the company, where we experience this mistreatment.”
This post emerged following the UN Security Council’s extension of the United Nations mandate in Central Africa for another year.
After verification by AFC, the claim that MINUSCA is complicit in the mistreatment of Croisement security agents is false.
Michael Ndamoyen/Théophile GBOMANDJI/Princia Yalla/AFC
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