Ouagadougou: The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Burkina Faso, Ms. Carol Flore-Smereczniak, has been declared persona non grata following the publication of a report accused of being false and violating established collaboration principles. This move marks the end of her mission, in line with Article 9 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the government cited serious discrepancies in the report, which they believe compromises the credibility of Ms. Flore-Smereczniak as an interlocutor between Burkina Faso and the United Nations. The report in question, titled "Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso," allegedly contains unfounded claims of violations against children and was prepared without the consultation of national authorities, breaching the agreed-upon dialogue mechanisms.
The Burkinabe government had previously established a framework in 2023 for consultation, monitoring, and alerting on human rights violations in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Despite these efforts, the government stated that Ms. Flore-Smereczniak continued with a unilateral approach, producing reports lacking verified evidence.
Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo, criticized the report for its narrative style that lumped together terrorists and Burkina Faso's defense and security forces, describing it as a collection of baseless claims with no supporting documentation.
The decision to expel Ms. Flore-Smereczniak highlights concerns about the UN's impartiality in supporting Burkina Faso's fight against terrorism and addressing the security crisis. The government viewed the continued unfounded accusations, despite a clarification in March 2025, as an attempt to justify abuses against the Burkinabe population.
In response, Burkina Faso reaffirmed its commitment to the ideals of the United Nations while dismissing Ms. Flore-Smereczniak. The UN has since dispatched a mission to Ouagadougou, with Mr. Maurice Azonnankpo as the interim coordinator, to reconcile positions and promote sincere cooperation respectful of national sovereignty.