The UN whistleblower who exposed the rape of children by peacekeepers in Africa has quit his post to protest what he sees as the "complete impunity" of those responsible, he announced in an interview on Tuesday.

The resignation of Anders Kompass, director of field operations for the UN human rights office (OHCHR), was confirmed by a UN spokesman.

The spokesman said the move had been known about for several weeks and would take effect at the end of August, but he did not give a reason for Mr Kompass' departure.