Latest news with #CarolFlore-Smereczniak
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Burkina Faso expels top UN official over child rights report
NAIROBI — Burkina Faso's junta has expelled the UN's top official to the West African nation over a report about children caught up in the militant conflict. Carol Flore-Smereczniak was declared "persona non grata" because of her role in drafting the report that came out in March. Covering a two-year period, the study detailed more than 2,000 cases of reported child recruitment, killings, sexual violence and abuse — blaming insurgents, government soldiers and civilian defense forces. The military government, which came to power in September 2022 and is led by Capt Ibrahim Traoré, said it had not been consulted by the UN, saying the report contained unfounded allegations. It did not cite any documentation "or court rulings to support the alleged cases of violations against children attributed to the valiant Burkinabé fighters", the government's statement said. Since 2015, rebels affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have waged an insurgency that has killed thousands of people and forced millions to flee their homes. It has prompted political instability, with two military coups in 2022. Capt Traoré took power promising to deal with the dire security situation within "two to three months". Ms Flore-Smereczniak was appointed in July 2024 — more than 18 months after her predecessor was expelled. From Mauritius, she has worked in areas experiencing or recovering from conflict for more than two decades, holding posts in Ivory Coast, Chad and Malawi, according to the UN. The UN representative before her, Italian Barbara Manzi, was declared "persona non grata" by the junta in December 2022 not long after publishing a blog post describing how the crisis was affecting education and health services, forcing many to close down. The UN has not yet officially commented on the latest expulsion, but the UN chief had expressed his regret over the decision to expel Ms Manzi whilst reiterating the UN's desire to engage with the junta to support Burkinabés. There have been concerns over the effectiveness of Capt Traoré's operation to quash the militants — with the junta rejecting the assistance of former colonial power France in favor of Russia. In the first half of 2025, militant group JNIM said it had carried out over 280 attacks in Burkina Faso — double the number for the same period in 2024, according to data verified by the BBC Rights groups have also accused the army of targeting civilians as well as suppressing political activity and the freedom of expression. Last year, the military government announced it was extending junta rule for another five years. It also said that Capt Traoré, who has built up the persona of a pan-Africanist leader, would be allowed to run for president in 2029. — BBC
Business Insider
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
UN coordinator expelled from Burkina Faso over controversial report
Burkina Faso has expelled United Nations regional coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak, declaring her persona non grata in response to a UN report that accuses the West African nation of committing violations against children in armed conflict. Burkina Faso has expelled UN regional coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak, labeling her persona non grata. The expulsion follows a UN report accusing Burkina Faso of child rights violations in armed conflict. The UN expressed regret over the decision, concerned about its impact on humanitarian efforts in the country. The government, which denounced the findings, said it was neither consulted during the preparation of the report nor informed of its conclusions prior to publication. The decision, announced Monday by a government spokesperson, underscores rising tensions between Burkina Faso 's military-led authorities and international organizations over allegations of human rights abuses. The disputed report, titled 'Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso,' details alleged violations linked to the country's ongoing battle against insurgent groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Authorities in Ouagadougou rejected the document as one-sided and politically motivated, stressing that they were excluded from both the drafting process and the review of its conclusions. The government insisted that its forces remain committed to protecting civilians, including children, even as the country grapples with escalating violence from jihadist insurgencies that have displaced millions and disrupted social services. By expelling Flore-Smereczniak, Burkina Faso has signaled its deep displeasure with the UN's handling of the report and its broader concern that international institutions may be undermining national sovereignty. The move comes amid a broader trend in the Sahel, where governments led by military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have increasingly distanced themselves from Western and international organizations, often accusing them of bias and interference in domestic affairs. UN refutes allegations The United Nations has expressed regret over Burkina Faso's decision, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday. 'The Organization is accorded privileges and immunities, including the right for its staff members to remain in Burkina Faso in order to perform their functions on behalf of the Organization, ' he said. The expelled U.N. official, Flore-Smereczniak, was forced to leave the country despite having more than 20 years of experience in development, security, humanitarian, conflict, and post-conflict settings. She was appointed to the post in Burkina Faso just last year, according to the United Nations.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Burkina Faso declares UN coordinator persona non grata
Burkina Faso has declared United Nations regional coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata over a UN report alleging violations against children in the West African country, a government spokesperson said on Monday. Burkinabe authorities were neither involved in the preparation of the UN report, titled "Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso", nor informed of the study's conclusions before publication, the government spokesperson said in a statement. The UN expressed regret over the decision, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday. "The organisation is accorded privileges and immunities, including the right for its staff members to remain in Burkina Faso in order to perform their functions on behalf of the organisation," he said. The government accused the UN of making baseless assertions and stating falsehoods in the report, without citing relevant investigations or court rulings.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Burkina Faso expels UN coordinator over child rights report
BURKINA FASO has declared United Nations regional coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata over a U.N. report alleging violations against children in the West African country, a government spokesperson said on Monday. Burkinabe authorities were neither involved in the preparation of the U.N. report, titled 'Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso', nor informed of the study's conclusions before publication, the government spokesperson said in a statement. The United Nations expressed regret over the decision, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday. 'The Organization is accorded privileges and immunities, including the right for its staff members to remain in Burkina Faso in order to perform their functions on behalf of the Organization,' he said. The government accused the United Nations of making baseless assertions and stating falsehoods in the report, without citing relevant investigations or court rulings. Flore-Smereczniak, who was forced to leave the country, has more than 20 years of experience in development, security, humanitarian, conflict and post-conflict settings and was appointed to the post in Burkina Faso last year, according to the United Nations. Violence fuelled by a decade-long battle against Islamist militants linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State has worsened in Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries where power was seized in a series of coups from 2020 to 2023. The U.N. has in the past condemned what it says have been killings, abuses and abductions of children in the Sahel regional conflict as well as the recruitment of child soldiers. Dujarric reaffirmed the organization's commitment to continue engaging with Burkina Faso's authorities to support the nation and its people. - Reuters
MTV Lebanon
2 days ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Burkina Faso declares UN coordinator persona non grata
Burkina Faso has declared United Nations regional coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata over a U.N. report alleging violations against children in the West African country, a government spokesperson said on Monday. Burkinabe authorities were neither involved in the preparation of the U.N. report, titled "Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso", nor informed of the study's conclusions before publication, he said in a statement. The government accused the United Nations of making baseless assertions and stating falsehoods in the report, without citing relevant investigations or court rulings. There was no immediate response to requests for comment from U.N. officials in Geneva and New York. Violence fuelled by a decade-long battle against Islamist militants linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State has worsened in Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries seized power in a series of coups from 2020 to 2023. The U.N. has in the past condemned what it says have been killings, abuses and abductions of children in the Sahel regional conflict as well as the recruitment of child soldiers.
