The United Nations said on Tuesday it has received 44 allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers and staff in UN missions so far this year involving more than 40 minors.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said 29 allegations were reported in the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, seven in the UN mission in Congo, and two in the mission in Haiti. One allegation each was made in the UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and the disputed Abeyi border region between Sudan and South Sudan as well as in the UN political missions in Libya and overseeing the Middle East peace process.

The United Nations has been in the spotlight for months over allegations of child rape and other sexual abuses by its peacekeepers, especially those based in Central African Republic and Congo. There have been similar allegations against the French force known as Sangaris, which operates independently in Central African Republic.