Burkina Faso’s military government has ordered the expulsion of the United Nations’ top representative in the country following a UN report that detailed widespread violations against children caught in the jihadist conflict.

Carol Flore-Smereczniak was declared persona non grata over her role in drafting the study released in March, which covered a two-year period and documented more than 2,000 cases of child recruitment, killings, sexual violence, and other abuses.

The report implicated Islamist insurgents, government forces, and civilian militias.

The junta led by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, who came to power in September 2022, rejected the findings and accused the UN of failing to consult it before publication.

In a statement, the government said the allegations against what it described as “valiant Burkinabé fighters” were not backed by documentation or court rulings.

Burkina Faso has endured a jihadist insurgency since 2015, with groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State killing thousands and forcing millions from their homes.

The worsening insecurity has fueled political instability, including two military takeovers in 2022. Capt. Traoré, who seized power with a pledge to restore security swiftly, has come under criticism over the limited results of his military operations.

Flore-Smereczniak, a Mauritian with more than two decades of experience in conflict and post-conflict missions in countries such as Ivory Coast, Chad, and Malawi, had been appointed to the post in July 2024. Her expulsion comes less than two years after her predecessor, Italian national Barbara Manzi, was also forced out after writing about the impact of the crisis on education and health services.

The United Nations has not yet commented on Flore-Smereczniak’s removal. However, when Manzi was expelled, the UN Secretary-General expressed regret and reaffirmed the organisation’s willingness to cooperate with the junta in supporting Burkinabé citizens.

The military government has also faced scrutiny for distancing itself from France, its former ally, and deepening ties with Russia. Rights groups accuse the army of abuses against civilians and restrictions on political freedoms. Verified data shows that jihadist attacks nearly doubled in the first half of 2025, with more than 280 incidents recorded compared to the same period in 2024.

In 2024, the junta extended its rule by five years and declared that Capt. Traoré would be eligible to run for president in 2029, reinforcing his image as a pan-Africanist leader.