Category: Unami

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Special Representative for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said on Tuesday that there is no evidence of systematic fraud in last month’s legislative elections, despite multiple claims to the contrary by losing candidates and parties.

In her briefing to the UN Security Council in New York on developments following the elections, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert explained that the voting process was “assessed as generally peaceful, well run, featuring significant technical and procedural improvements.”

In the early days of November, violent clashes broke out as supporters of Iran-aligned militias of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attempted to storm Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone as part of protests following the loss of parliament seats by political parties affiliated to the armed groups.

Read More: Iraqi leaders call for restraint as post-election violence escalates

Losing candidates from several parties also lodged formal claims of electoral fraud, but the head of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council later said that no clear proof of such allegations had been provided.

Read More: Iraqi judiciary says no proof of fraud in national election

“So far, and as stated by the Iraqi judiciary, there is no evidence of systemic fraud,” continued Plasschaert, adding that “any outstanding electoral concerns must only be dealt with through established legal channels, in accordance with the law.”

“Let me be clear: under no circumstances must terrorism, violence and/or any other unlawful acts be allowed to derail Iraq’s democratic process,” said the diplomat, urging “calm, restraint and dialogue” as “the only way forward,” to ease tensions across Iraq.

She pointed out, “Results will only be final after ratification by the Federal Supreme Court, which takes place once the Electoral Judicial Panel has adjudicated on those appeals brought before it,” and that, “Any unlawful attempts to prolong or…

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Home » International » UN envoy warns of precarious post-electoral situation in Iraq

United Nations, Nov 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the top UN envoy for Iraq, has warned against a precarious post-electoral situation in the country and called for early government formation.

“Plainly speaking, Iraq’s current outlook is precarious — to say the least. And in the absence of genuine reforms, the situation will not get any better. On the contrary (it will become),” she told the Security Council in a briefing via video link on Monday.

Last month’s elections were assessed as generally peaceful, well-run, featuring significant technical and procedural improvements, said Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq.

She also noted that the elections were hard-earned as they emerged from an unprecedented wave of country-wide demonstrations in 2019 that resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.

After the October elections, parties rejecting the electoral results began demonstrations and sit-ins, which escalated on November 5, with casualties reported in Baghdad. In the early hours of November 7, an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took place.

Hennis-Plasschaert said that she has witnessed a severe lack of trust between parties, between parties and institutions, between parties and authorities in recent weeks, in addition to the long-standing lack of public trust in both politicians and institutions.

“Now, that is not without risk, as mistrust often leads to escalation. Hence, our consistent calls for political dialogue to prevail. And again, any outstanding electoral concerns must only be dealt with through established legal channels, in accordance with the law. There is no point in using others as a scapegoat for electoral grievances,”…

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A military roadblock near the green zone in Baghdad, Iraq. (Photo: AFP) New York (VNA) – Vietnam voiced support for provision of assistance to Iraq in addressing current challenges in the war-torn country during a UN Security Council meeting on November 23.

Discussing the situation in Iraq, the meeting was attended by Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, congratulated the Government of Iraq and Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on the well-managed elections held last month and highly spoke of the UNAMI and international organisations for backing Iraq and the IHEC in the polls.

He also reiterated his support for the UNAMI and UN staff operating in the country.

Quy expressed his concern over terrorist attacks in Iraq over the last few months, particularly a failed assassination attempt against the Iraqi Prime Minister, saying Vietnam strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. He called on all stakeholders to address concerns through existing legal processes and facilitate the promotion of national unity, and constructive and peaceful dialogue.

The diplomat also appreciated the diplomatic efforts made by the Government of Iraq and how it has demonstrated a strong role in regional peace and security issues, particularly the organisation of the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership in August 2021.

He further welcomed cooperation between the Governments of Iraq and Kuwait in searching for Kuwaiti and citizens of third countries going missing in Iraq with the help from the UNAMI and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)./.

VNA

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I. Introduction

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2576 (2021), in which the Secretary-General was requested to report every three months on progress made towards fulfilling the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The report covers key developments relating to Iraq and provides an update on the activities of the United Nations in Iraq since my previous report of 3 August 2021 (S/2021/700) and the briefing to the Security Council by the Special Representative for Iraq and Head of UNAMI on 25 August 2021.

II. Summary of key political developments

A. Political situation

2. Parliamentary elections were held in Iraq on 10 October 2021. The elections were preceded by the dissolution of the Council of Representatives on 7 October. The elections began with a special voting day on 8 October for Iraqi security forces personnel, internally displaced persons, prisoners and detainees. On 11 October, the Independent High Electoral Commission announced partial preliminary results for all governorates. On 13 October, the results of 8,547 polling stations selected by lottery for manual counting, as provided in the electoral law, were added to the overall preliminary results. On 16 October, the Commission stated that it had completed the cross-checking and manual count of 3,681 polling stations which had been unable to send results electronically on election day owing to technical issues. The Commission also announced the full preliminary election results, with a total voter turnout of 43 per cent. In a statement, the Commission reiterated its impartiality and outlined the legal appeals process for disputes regarding the preliminary election results.

3. Following the announcement by the Independent High Electoral Commission of partial preliminary election results, the President of Iraq, Barham Salih, and the Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, issued social media statements on…

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SC/14701
15 NOVEMBER 2021

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez (Mexico):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the Secretary-General’s report on Iraq’s electoral process and the assistance of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to that process, pursuant to resolution 2576 (2021).

The members of the Security Council welcomed the positive assessment of the international UNAMI election monitors and congratulated the Government of Iraq and the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for conducting a technically well-managed and generally peaceful election on 10 October 2021.

The members of the Security Council also welcomed UNAMI and IHEC findings that partial manual recounts of polling stations have matched IHEC’s electronic results-transmission system.

The members of the Security Council commended the Iraqi people for their commitment to the electoral process in the face of dynamic security challenges.

They acknowledged the role of UNAMI in supporting the Government of Iraq’s and IHEC’s efforts to plan and execute genuinely free and fair Iraqi-led, Iraqi-owned elections. They welcomed the efforts of the Government of Iraq, IHEC and UNAMI to promote women’s political participation. The members of the Security Council commended UNAMI for demonstrating objectivity in its efforts to support Iraq throughout the election process.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their condemnation of both the 7 November 2021 assassination attempt against Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al‑Kadhimi and the persistent threats of violence against UNAMI, IHEC and others. The members of the Security Council deplored the use of violence to settle election-related grievances and urged all political parties to pursue legal and peaceful means to resolve these grievances. They condemned attempts to discredit the election.

The members of the Security Council encouraged all stakeholders to respect the legally defined process and to…

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LONDON: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III has ordered the military’s top commander for the Middle East to brief him on details of a 2019 airstrike that killed dozens of women and children in Syria, the Pentagon said.

Austin requested the briefing after allegations by the New York Times that top officers and civilian officials sought to conceal the casualties of the strike, said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

The 2019 strike, exposed by the NYT over the weekend, took place in the town of Baghuz, in Daesh’s last holdout before the end of its so-called caliphate.

A drone controller witnessed a jet drop a bomb on what the operator estimated to be 50 women and children, but the military has now admitted that 80 people were killed, dozens of them women and children.

“Who dropped that?” a confused analyst typed on a secure chat system being used by those monitoring the drone, two people who reviewed the chat log recalled. The NYT reported that another responded: “We just dropped on 50 women and children.”

Two more large bombs were dropped on the crowd, wiping out anyone who survived the initial blast.

It is one of the highest civilian casualty incidents in the international coalition’s war against Daesh, but it had never been publicly acknowledged by military officials.

Despite legal officers immediately reporting the incident up the chain of command, a thorough investigation into the bombing was never conducted.

Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., head of US Central Command — which oversaw the air war in Syria — will “brief (Austin) more specifically on that particular airstrike” and its handling, the Pentagon said.

Kirby refused to comment on the strike in a press briefing. “I’m not going to relitigate a strike…

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Nov. 11, 2021

Hooters may be adding burgers to the menu, thanks to a relationship with Unami Burger, one of 40 culinary brands owned by C3, a company offering cuisine from 40 concepts via shared kitchens, delivery-only venues as well as brick-and-mortar concepts.

The chicken chain is testing the Unami Burger menu item at select restaurants and may eventually roll it out to more restaurants, including its fast casual concept, Hoots Wings, said Sal Melilli, CEO and president of HOA brands, the parent company of Hooters and Hoots

“Through a relationship with C3 we will aim to further build on the exceptional experience that Hooters is known for,” he said in a company press release. “In addition to offering the iconic and exciting Hooters in restaurant, our goal is to further empower both Hooters and Hoots Wings customers by offering quality made food that is created in a timely and convenient way for an on-the-go lifestyle.”

Any expansion of the C3 / HOA Brands relationship will also provide Hooters and Hoots Wings access to C3’s proprietary Go by Citizens app, which provides a one-stop-shop digital experience allowing consumers to order from multiple digital restaurant brands in one transaction. The brands expect the Go by Citizens market to eventually offer both popular menu items from Hooters and Hoots Wings, said Sam Nazarian, C3s founder and CEO.

“We are thrilled for this opportunity to further expand C3’s reach, coupling our growing food tech eco-system with HOA Brands’ global kitchen infrastructure,” he said in the release. “Through this potential new relationship, we expect to work together to further the digital kitchen revolution, offering in-demand, quality food offerings and innovative recipes to customers around the world.”

In addition to the potential expansion among Hooters and Hoots Wings locations, C3 products are available in over 800 digital brand locations in the…

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LAS VEGAS, Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — HOA Brands, the parent company of both the Hooters® & Hoots Wings® restaurant® systems, has agreed to a test market and explore expanding a strategic relationship with Sam Nazarian’s C3 (Creating Culinary Communities), which has quickly become the fastest-growing global food tech platform today.

C3 Logo (PRNewsfoto/C3 by sbe)

C3 is re-imagining the food service industry by tapping into the power of exceptional culinary talent, digital brand IP, and bringing its portfolio of more than 40 culinary brands to C3 established shared kitchens and mobile delivery with the next-gen GO by Citizens app.

HOA Brands is the operator or franchisor of close to 400 Hooters® restaurants in 38 states and 20 countries and is known for its famed chicken wings and popular All-American Hooters Girl® waitstaff. Hooters® Restaurants have long been among the most well-known neighborhood destinations for food, fun and sports viewing. For nearly forty years, Hooters® has been an iconic player in the casual dining segment, focusing on timeless, craveable food. HOA Brands is expanding on that success by franchising a new brand, Hoots Wings®, which offers a fast-casual wings concept designed to compete head to head with Wingstop® and others. Already there are 9 Hoots Wings® in operation, with over 120 franchised locations under development deals.

Working with food tech, Hooters® Restaurants have agreed to test market the C3′ Unami Burger menu item at select Hooters® restaurants. Based on results, the parties may more broadly expand the relationship. The parties expect C3′ renowned Umami Burger to be a great addition to the Hooters® menu, as it was voted “America Best Burger” by GQ Magazine. The expectation is that C3′ items may be offered through Hoots Wings® as…

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GENEVA — The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has condemned “in the strongest terms” the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, following a drone attack overnight on Sunday, aimed on his house in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone.

According to news reports, the exploding drone caused damage to the residence and several of the Prime Minister’s security guards were injured in the attack. Al-Kadhimi, was sworn into office in May last year.

The Green Zone houses government offices and many foreign embassies. No group has so far claimed any responsibility for the attack and remains from the explosive-laden drone have been recovered, as part of an on-going investigation.

“The Mission expresses its relief that the Prime Minister was not hurt in the drone attack,” said the UNAMI statement.

No place for terrorism, violence

“Terrorism, violence and unlawful acts must not be allowed to undermine Iraq’s stability and derail its democratic process,” it continued.

The attack has been condemned by both the government of Iran, and the United States.

On Friday, protests outside the Green Zone, against the results of the last month’s parliamentary elections turned violent, as demonstrators clashed with security forces, reportedly accusing Iraq’s political elite of rigging the vote.

One protester was reportedly killed, and dozens of security personnel were injured. The prime minister has ordered an investigation into what led to the violence.

Turnout for the election was low, with just 41 percent turning out to vote, and supporters of pro-Iranian parties and militias, lost ground, according to preliminary results.

Protesters are reportedly calling for the government, and Iraq’s independent electoral commission, to hold a recount.

Call for restraint

The UN Mission joined the prime minister, in calling for “calm and urging restraint” in the coming days following the assassination attempt.

“Moreover, UNAMI strongly encourages all sides to take responsibility for de-escalation and to engage in dialogue to…

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