The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has concluded an investigation into allegations of gold and arms smuggling by peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There are 16,500 peacekeepers currently working in the DRC and the smuggling allegations have been made against troops from Pakistan.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), an IANSA member, criticised the OIOS' findings for inadequately responding to the gold smuggling claims and failing to respond at all to allegations of arms dealing. In a letter to the Chief of UN Peacekeeping, HRW expressed disappointment at the ‘apparent narrowness’ of the report, a lack of transparency, the slow progress of the investigation, and an ongoing lack of accountability.

The claims indicate yet another possible source of weapons and ammunition in the DRC. Firearms remain an ongoing cause of instability in the country and significant efforts have been made to determine their origins. Late last year Control Arms published research on bullet casings found in the Ituri Province. Analysis showed that ammunition manufactured in Greece, China and the United States had ended up in the hands of rebels in the DRC.