New case of UN soldier accused of child sex abuse in C Africa

The UN mission in the Central African Republic is investigating a new case of child sex abuse involving one of its peacekeepers, the mission said today.

The head of the MINUSCA mission, Babacar Gaye, ordered the investigation after allegations surfaced on Tuesday that the peacekeeper had sexually abused a girl.

The peacekeeper's country of origin was not released, but a diplomatic source said he was from Morocco.

"Measures have been immediately taken to protect the victim and provide her with appropriate care," said a statement from MINUSCA.

The United Nations has asked Morocco to also open an investigation.

The fresh allegations came a day after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ordered an independent external review of the UN's handling of alleged child sex abuse by French and African troops from December 2013 to June 2014.