Burkina Faso's junta declared the highest-ranking UN official in the country "persona non grata" on Monday, following a United Nations report that claimed Burkinabe forces committed child rights violations during the ongoing conflict against militant groups.

In a statement, the junta government accused UN resident humanitarian coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak of being responsible for drafting the March report, saying it included unfounded allegations against the army and defense forces, and as a result, ordered her to leave the country.

"This report, which resembles a compilation of baseless assertions and falsehoods, contains no appendices with copies of investigation reports or court rulings to support the alleged cases of violations against children attributed to the valiant Burkinabe fighters," the government stated. 

UN regrets Burkina Faso's decision

A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres informed AFP that the organization "learned with regret" about the junta's declaration, while emphasizing that the decision lacked any legal justification.

"The United Nations system, led by the resident coordinator, has been dedicated to working with the authorities to support development efforts and provide much needed humanitarian assistance," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, adding that "the doctrine of persona non grata does not apply to United Nations officials." 

"Only the secretary-general, as the chief administrative officer of the organisation, has the authority to decide, after careful investigation, with respect to the withdrawal of any United Nations official," he emphasized.

Flore-Smereczniak, a Mauritian national appointed to the position in July 2024, had previously drawn criticism from Burkina Faso's government in February for using the neutral terminology of "non-state armed groups" and "militias" rather than labeling insurgent movements as "terrorists".