Iraqi government issues a statement regarding ending UNAMI mandate in Iraq

Baghdad-INA

The Iraqi government issued a statement regarding ending the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), while indicating that it requested the end of the work of the UNAMI mission by the end of 2025.

Government spokesman Bassem Al-Awadi said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “In line with the government's program approved by the Iraqi Parliament, aiming to enhance the role of constitutional institutions and organize Iraq's relations with international bodies to reflect the progress and developments since 2003, the Iraqi government submitted a request in May 2023 to the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General to reduce the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and to conduct an objective assessment of its operations in preparation for its final closure. This request was based on the premise that the circumstances which necessitated the establishment of UNAMI 21 years ago no longer exist. Following this request, the Security Council formed an Independent Strategic Review Team which concluded that there is no further need for UNAMI's continuation due to significant improvements and achievements across various sectors in Iraq.”
 
“Based on the Independent Strategic Review Team's findings and the government's conviction shared with the UN and Security Council members since last year, the government requested the termination of UNAMI's operations by the end of 2025, a timeline considered sufficient for a responsible closure”, he said.
 
“This decision to end UNAMI's operations in Iraq, apart from the reasons mentioned, is a natural outcome of the evolving relationship between Iraq and the United Nations, fostering cooperation on different levels,” he also affirmed. "The Iraqi government anticipates a UN Security Council resolution by the end of this month in response to Iraq’s request and the Independent Strategic Review Team’s recommendations". 

This resolution is expected to also outline a mechanism for continuing oversight of certain issues in coordination with international agencies active in Iraq.
 
"The Iraqi government would like to express gratitude to the UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Iraq, Ms. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and all UNAMI staff for their support over the past years. We also remember the sacrifices of those who have served in UN missions in Iraq, particularly Mr. Sérgio Vieira de Mello and his colleagues, who fell victims to a terrorist attack targeting the mission's headquarters in August 2003”, Alawadi affimed.