Author: jeff

BAGHDAD: Iraq has formally requested that a United Nations support mission set up after the 2003 US-led invasion of the country end its work by the end of 2025.

The country said the mission was no longer needed because Iraq had made significant progress toward its stability and security.

The mission, based in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, was established with a broad mandate to help develop Iraqi institutions, promote human rights and support political dialogue.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said Iraq wanted to boost cooperation with other UN organizations but there was no need for the UN assistance mission, known as UNAMI.

The mission’s head in Iraq often holds meetings with top political, judicial and security officials to preventing and resolving conflicts, however, critics have often described it as interference.

Sudani in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Iraq has managed to take important steps in many areas, particularly those that fall under UNAMI’s mandate.

Iraq’s government has since 2023 moved to end several global missions, including the US-led coalition formed in 2014 to fight Islamic State and the UN’s mission set up to help promote accountability for the jihadist group’s crimes.

Some diplomats and UN officials worry about situation of the human rights and accountability in a country that frequently ranks among the world’s most corrupt and where according to rights activists freedom of expression has been curtailed.

The government of Iraq says it is working to fight corruption and rejects there is less room for free expression.

Somalia’s government also sought the termination of a UN political mission this week. In a letter to the Security Council, the country’s foreign minister sought the departure of the Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

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Iraq has asked for the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMI), set up after the 2003 US led invasion, to conclude its work by the end of 2025. Iraqi officials argue that the mission, known as UNAMI, is no longer required due to significant progress towards stability.

UNAMI, headquartered in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, was established with a broad mandate to support Iraqi institutions, political dialogue, elections, and human rights.

However, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has suggested that Iraq no longer needs the mission’s political support, though it seeks continued collaboration with other UN agencies.

In a letter to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Sudani highlighted Iraq’s progress in areas covered by UNAMI’s mandate.

The head of UNAMI in Iraq often mediates between political, judicial, and security leaders. While supporters see the mission’s involvement as crucial to conflict resolution, critics have sometimes accused it of interference.

Since 2023, Iraq’s government has been winding down international missions, including the US led coalition formed in 2014 to combat the Islamic State and the UN mission promoting accountability for crimes committed by the jihadist group.

Iraqi officials insist the country has recovered from sectarian violence following the invasion and from the Islamic State’s attempt to establish a caliphate, making international assistance less essential.

Despite this progress, some diplomats and critics are concerned about the fragile state of Iraq’s young democracy, given frequent conflicts involving heavily armed political-military groups and human rights challenges.

Critics argue that freedom of expression has declined, while Iraqi authorities claim they are tackling corruption and protecting fundamental freedoms.

Similarly, Somalia’s government has also called for ending a UN political mission. In a letter to the Security Council, the foreign minister…

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