Latest news with #Flore-Smereczniak
Business Insider
2 days 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.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Burkina Faso junta declares UN coordinator persona non grata over child rights report
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The military junta in Burkina Faso on Monday declared the United Nations resident coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak as 'persona non grata' over an official U.N. report that accused jihadi groups and government forces of abuses against children. In a statement, the government accused Flore-Smereczniak of participating in the preparation of the report — titled Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso — which it says is 'without evidence or supporting documentation' and that conveyed 'serious and false information.'
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Burkina Faso junta declares UN coordinator persona non grata over child rights report
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The military junta in Burkina Faso on Monday declared the United Nations resident coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak as 'persona non grata' over an official U.N. report that accused jihadi groups and government forces of abuses against children. In a statement, the government accused Flore-Smereczniak of participating in the preparation of the report — titled Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso — which it says is 'without evidence or supporting documentation' and that conveyed 'serious and false information.' The U.N. has been approached for comment. The report was published in April and accused both jihadi groups and government forces of abuses against children, including their recruitment as soldiers, sexual abuses and attacks on hospitals and schools. Covering the period between July 2022 and June 2024, it said 2,483 grave violations against 2,255 children had been verified, including some children who were victims of multiple violations Flore-Smereczniak was appointed by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres in July 2024 as the organization's resident coordinator in Burkina Faso as well as the humanitarian coordinator. In a statement at the time, the U.N. said the appointment had been made 'with the host Government's approval.' Burkina Faso, along with its neighbors Niger and Mali, has for over a decade battled an insurgency fought by jihadi groups, including some allied with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Following military coups in all three nations in recent years, the ruling juntas have expelled French forces and turned to Russia's mercenary units for security assistance. But the security situation in the Sahel has worsened since the juntas took power, analysts say, with a record number of attacks and civilians killed both by Islamic militants and government forces. In 2023, the head of the U.N.'s human rights office called for an investigation into the killings of at least 28 people, which local human rights groups blamed on volunteer militias supporting Burkina Faso's army.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Burkina Faso junta declares UN coordinator persona non grata over child rights report
DAKAR, Senegal — The military junta in Burkina Faso on Monday declared the United Nations resident coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak as 'persona non grata' over an official U.N. report that accused jihadi groups and government forces of abuses against children. In a statement, the government accused Flore-Smereczniak of participating in the preparation of the report — titled Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso — which it says is 'without evidence or supporting documentation' and that conveyed 'serious and false information.'
