I got a chill down my spine when I heard about the atrocities being perpetuated by peacekeepers and aid workers in serving in some African countries.

I was listening to one of the international radio stations when I heard about the abuse of women and girls by the soldiers and humanitarians.

British Save the Children authored the report that hundreds of children from Ivory Coast, Haiti and Southern Sudan experienced widespread abuse at the hands of soldiers and aid workers.

This is not the first time a report like this one is being churned out. I remember very well in 2004 when Save the Children produced a similar report showing similar details. This report made great recommendations.

The researchers by Save the children have not unearthed anything new. They have merely reminded us about the crimes our service personnel are committing out there.

It is such a monstrous abuse of authority and a gross violation of human rights. Therefore, I would like to ask what the difference is between the wrongs rebels and these soldiers are committing?

What I think is that the difference in terms of abuse is the same because peacekeepers and rebels in some African countries are committing similar offences.

The abused people feel betrayed and disappointed and I would like to suggest that the powers that be introduce better reporting mechanisms to curb the injustice.

The United Nations and Humanitarian organisations have made serious commitments but all in vain because that have not adhered to any of them.

I am particularly interested in the recommendation that erring soldiers should be punished by freezing their salaries and setting a fund to help victims.

There is also a need for a zero tolerance policy for the aid workers and peacekeepers because the wanton abuse of vulnerable people is escalating.

Peacekeeper and aid workers found wanting must be dismissed from service and prosecuted. How else can we reward individuals that have failed to live up to the expectations of human kind?

The sending countries need to commit well-trained and dedicated staff to serve in these needy areas.