Burkina Faso junta expels UN coordinator

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Burkina Faso’s military government on Friday announced the expulsion of the UN resident coordinator in the West African country.

Barbara Manzi has been ordered to leave the country immediately, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry.

Manzi is "declared persona non grata on the national territory, and she is therefore requested to leave Burkina Faso today, December 23, 2022," the statement said.

No reason was given for the UN official’s expulsion, but sources said Manzi had wanted to evacuate families of UN diplomats posted in the capital Ouagadougou for security reasons.

Manzi was appointed to the post by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and she arrived in Burkina Faso in August 2021.

She also served as humanitarian coordinator.

The development comes days after the junta expelled two French citizens accused of espionage.

The West African country has witnessed two coups this year.

In January, the military ousted elected President Roch Marc Kabore. Amid growing insecurity, the country witnessed a second coup in September when angry soldiers led by Capt. Ibrahim Traorer deposed Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.