Lassina Zerbo (born 1963) is a Burkinabé politician and scientist who served as the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from December 2021 to January 2022. Prior to his political appointment, he had a distinguished career in international nuclear non-proliferation, notably as the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) from 2013 to 2021.
Early Life and Education
Lassina Zerbo was born in 1963 in Burkina Faso. He pursued higher education in France, earning a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of Paris XI (Paris-Sud). His scientific background focused on seismology and geophysics, which later became instrumental in his work on nuclear test monitoring.
Career
Scientific and International Career
Zerbo began his career in the field of geophysics, working for various international organizations. He joined the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) in 2004, an international organization based in Vienna, Austria, which monitors the globe for nuclear explosions. Within the CTBTO, he quickly rose through the ranks.
From 2009 to 2013, Zerbo served as the Director of the International Data Centre (IDC) at the CTBTO. In this role, he was responsible for operating the global verification system designed to detect nuclear tests worldwide. He managed a network of 337 monitoring facilities, including seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide stations.
In 2013, Zerbo was elected as the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, a position he held until 2021. As Executive Secretary, he was a vocal advocate for the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and worked tirelessly to build international support for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. He engaged with governments, scientists, and civil society to promote the Treaty's universal adoption and strengthen its verification regime. During his tenure, he also championed scientific innovation and the use of CTBTO data for civilian applications, such as tsunami warning systems and climate change research.
Political Career
After his departure from the CTBTO, Zerbo returned to Burkina Faso and entered the political arena. He ran as a candidate for president in the 2020 Burkinabé general election, representing the Party for Development and Change (PDC).
In December 2021, Zerbo was appointed Prime Minister of Burkina Faso by then-President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. His appointment came during a period of significant political instability and a growing jihadist insurgency in the country. His government focused on addressing security challenges, humanitarian crises, and economic development. However, his tenure was short-lived. In January 2022, a military coup led by Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba overthrew President Kaboré's government, resulting in the dissolution of the government and Zerbo's removal from office.
Awards and Recognition
Lassina Zerbo has received several international accolades for his work. In 2013, he was honored with the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Great Immigrant Award for his contributions to American society. In 2018, he received the Nuclear-Free Future Award for his efforts in promoting nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament through his leadership at the CTBTO.