• Burkina Faso declares UN Resident Coordinator persona non grata.
• The decision follows a report alleging violations against children by state forces.
• Government cites lack of evidence and unfounded claims in the UN report.
• The UN expressed regret, asserting its obligations in the country.
• Burkina Faso's security situation remains dire due to ongoing insurgency.

The government of Burkina Faso has declared UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak persona non grata, following her involvement in a United Nations report that alleges rights abuses against children by Burkinabe security forces. The report claims serious violations by both the government and jihadi groups but has been met with accusations from the government of being “indiscriminately” biased, containing “unfounded statements and falsehoods,” lacking proper evidence or court rulings, according to trtglobal and Reuters.

The report, titled "Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso," covers violations from July 2022 to June 2024, asserting that 2,483 grave violations against 2,255 children were verified, including recruitment as soldiers and sexual abuse. The Burkinabe government stated it was not involved in the report's preparation nor informed about its conclusions prior to publication, according to Africanews.

In response, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed the organization’s regret over the decision and reiterated that UN personnel are granted immunity to fulfill their duties in host countries. Despite the grievances raised, Dujarric affirmed a commitment to continue engaging with Burkina Faso's authorities, highlighting ongoing challenges stemming from a decade-long fight against Islamist groups, which has intensified after recent military coups in the region, according to Reuters and Africanews.

The junta government further criticized the UN report for lacking “objective sources, proof, or justification,” claiming it communicates “grave and false information.” Government authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate with UN representatives that are “genuinely and sincerely dedicated,” according to trtglobal and Africanews.