UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The United Nations is committed to taking appropriate action in response to claims peacekeepers in Mali were involved in acts of sexual abuse.
The U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali has more than 6,000 uniformed personnel working to ensure post-coup stabilization.
Al-Qaida and nomadic rebels seized control over parts of northern Mali following a 2012 coup. The Malian government in January called on France, its former colonial power, to help fight off the militants.
U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said countries contributing forces to the U.N. peacekeeping mission were notified of allegations of sexual abuse in Mali that surfaced last week.
"[U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon] has a policy of zero tolerance for any form of sexual exploitation and abuse, and will do everything possible to see that a thorough process of investigation and, as appropriate, accountability takes place," he said in a statement Monday.
Nesirky didn't indicate the nationality of the troops involved in the alleged incident of sexual misconduct.
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, elected in August, was sworn in to office Sept. 4. He defeated challenger and former Finance Minister Soumaila Cisse in a presidential contest that took two rounds to settle.
