The national flag of Burkina Faso.
(The Post News)– The Burkina Faso junta has expelled United Nations (UN) official Carol Flore-Smereczniak, calling her an “unwelcome person.” Authorities accused her of being responsible for a UN report alleging Burkinabe forces committed serious violations against children during the jihadist conflict.
UN Opposes Move
The UN has, however, rejected Burkina Faso’s decision, emphasizing that governments cannot expel UN personnel by declaring them “unwelcome persons.” Spokesman Stephane Dujarric noted that only Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has the authority to withdraw staff members, following an internal investigation.
The disputed report, Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso, documented 2,483 violations against 2,255 children. While jihadists committed most abuses, the Burkina Faso junta expelled a UN official in a dispute centered on allegations implicating Burkinabe forces and their auxiliaries.
Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Investigators verified 501 violations by the army and volunteers for the Defence of the Nation, including kidnappings and rapes. Nevertheless, authorities dismissed these findings, framing the Burkina Faso junta’s expulsion of the UN official as a defense of national honor.
Authorities had earlier criticized Flore-Smereczniak for calling jihadists “non-state armed groups” instead of “terrorists.” Her July 2024 appointment worsened disagreements. The Burkina Faso junta’s expulsion of a UN official controversy illustrates deepening mistrust between the military rulers and international partners.
Burkina Faso has faced jihadist violence for more than a decade. Despite military campaigns, extremists expanded operations. The junta, seizing power in 2022, pledged stability but has so far failed to contain attacks nationwide.
The ongoing insurgency in Burkina Faso has claimed over 26,000 lives, including civilians and soldiers, with half of those deaths occurring in just the past three years. This surge highlights the deepening insecurity and humanitarian crisis under the country’s current military government, leaving communities increasingly vulnerable to violence and displacement.
Humanitarian groups warn that expulsion could disrupt vital aid delivery. The Burkina Faso junta expels a UN official; the dispute highlights rising political tensions while deepening risks for children and civilians caught in the country’s escalating humanitarian and security crisis.
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