United Nations peacekeepers in Ivory Coast enticed underage girls to exchange sex for food, according to a diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks.
The US embassy cable written in January 2010 focuses on the behaviour of peacekeepers from Benin stationed in the town of Toulepleu.
The cable said a random poll of underage girls there in 2009 found that eight out of 10 had sexual relationships with Beninese soldiers in exchange for food or lodging.
Asked about the cable this week, UN spokesman Michel Bonnardeaux confirmed that, in April, 16 peacekeepers were repatriated to Benin and have been barred from serving in the UN.
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