Burkina Faso’s military-led government has expelled the United Nations’ top representative, Carol Flore-Smereczniak, declaring her “persona non grata” over her involvement in a report detailing grave violations against children caught in the country’s jihadist conflict.
The UN-backed study, released in March, documented over 2,000 cases of child recruitment, killings, sexual violence, and abuse between 2023 and 2025. It attributed these violations to Islamist militants, government forces, and civilian defense groups.
The junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré since September 2022, condemned the report as baseless and claimed it was not consulted during its preparation. In a statement, the government criticized the lack of supporting documentation or legal rulings to substantiate the allegations against Burkinabé forces.
Burkina Faso has been gripped by a jihadist insurgency since 2015, with groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS responsible for widespread violence. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, fueling political instability and triggering two coups in 2022.
Ms. Flore-Smereczniak, a seasoned UN official from Mauritius, was appointed in July 2024 nearly two years after her predecessor, Barbara Manzi of Italy, was also expelled for highlighting the humanitarian impact of the crisis.
The UN has yet to issue an official response to the latest expulsion. However, Secretary-General António Guterres previously expressed regret over Ms. Manzi’s removal and reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting the people of Burkina Faso.
The junta has faced criticism for its handling of the security crisis, notably rejecting assistance from France in favor of closer ties with Russia. Despite promises to stabilize the country within months, jihadist group JNIM claimed over 280 attacks in the first half of 2025 twice the number recorded during the same period in 2024.
Human rights organizations have accused the military of targeting civilians and curbing political freedoms and free expression. In 2024, the junta extended its rule for another five years and announced that Capt Traoré would be eligible to run for president in 2029, further consolidating his image as a pan-Africanist leader.
