In a statement released on Saturday, Mr Guterres stated that he had full confidence in the UN system in Burkina Faso, as well as in Ms. Manzi’s commitment and professionalism.
For years, Burkina Faso has suffered from political turmoil and 2022 alone has seen two military coups. This year also saw a continuation of the deadly terrorist attacks that have long ravaged the country: at least 79 was killed during an attack on a town in the north of the country in June and on Monday a minibus was hit by a landmine, killing about 10 people.
Amid this lack of security, Burkina Faso is facing a major humanitarian crisis, with more than one million people in Burkina Faso displaced from their homes, victims of ongoing conflict and poverty.
In November, in a blog published of UN News, Ms. Manzi described the vulnerability of education and health services to terrorist groups, many of which have been forced to close, exacerbating the crisis.
According to media reports, the Burkina Faso Foreign Ministry cited Ms. Manzi’s decision to withdraw non-essential staff from the capital Ouagadougou as a justification for her personal statement as unwelcome. welcome.
However, as Mr. Guterres pointed out in his statement, the persona non grata doctrine does not apply to UN officials.
“In accordance with Articles 100 and 101 of the Charter of the United Nations, officers of the United Nations, appointed by the Secretary-General, are accountable only to the Organization and to the Member States of the United Nations committed to respecting the international character of the United Nations. their monopoly,” declared the head of the United Nations.
The statement goes on to explain that UN staff members have the right to remain in Burkina Faso to carry out their functions on behalf of the Organization and that only the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as Executive Director, has the right to remain in Burkina Faso. authority of the Organization, shall have the authority to withdraw any officer of the United Nations.
Guterres reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to continue working with the transitional government in Burkina Faso, while supporting the country and its people.
