Burkina Faso Junta Expels UN Official Over Report on Child Victims
In a bold move, Burkina Faso’s military junta has ousted the UN’s top representative to the West African nation, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, in response to a damning report on children affected by the ongoing militant conflict.
The junta declared Flore-Smereczniak “persona non grata” due to her involvement in the drafting of a report released in March, which uncovered over 2,000 cases of child recruitment, killings, sexual violence, and abuse spanning a two-year period. The report pointed fingers at insurgents, government troops, and civilian defense forces.
Since seizing power in September 2022 under the leadership of Capt Ibrahim Traoré, the military government criticized the UN for not consulting them before publishing the report, claiming the allegations were baseless and lacked substantiated evidence.
With rebel groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State unleashing violence since 2015, Burkina Faso has been marred by political turmoil, witnessing two military coups in 2022 alone. Capt Traoré vowed to address the security crisis within a short timeframe upon assuming power.
Notably, Flore-Smereczniak took office in July 2024, succeeding her predecessor who was also expelled by the junta. With extensive experience in conflict zones across Ivory Coast, Chad, and Malawi, she has been a key figure in supporting communities affected by violence.
The UN’s relationship with the junta remains strained, as previous expulsions and disagreements have marred their collaboration in addressing the crisis in Burkina Faso. The international community has raised concerns about the junta’s approach to combating militants and its rejection of French assistance in favor of Russian support.
Amid escalating attacks by militant group JNIM, rights organizations have accused the Burkinabé army of human rights abuses, including targeting civilians and stifling political dissent. The junta’s decision to extend its rule for another five years and allow Capt Traoré to run for president in 2029 has sparked further controversy.
As the situation in Burkina Faso continues to deteriorate, the expulsion of the UN official underscores the challenges in addressing the conflict and protecting vulnerable populations. The international community remains vigilant in its efforts to support the people of Burkina Faso amidst ongoing turmoil. – BBC
