UN Withdraws Gabon Peacekeepers in Central African Republic 

LIBREVILLE, GABON - The United Nations is withdrawing 450 Gabonese peacekeepers from its mission in Central African Republic following allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, Gabon's government said Wednesday. 

"Following the numerous cases of allegations of exploitation and sexual abuse being processed, the United Nations today decided to withdraw the Gabonese contingent from MINUSCA," the statement said, referring to the mission there.

Gabon's defense ministry said it had opened an investigation into the allegations. 

"If they are proven, their perpetrators will be brought before military courts and tried with extreme rigor," Gabon's defense ministry warned.