Key Takeaways:
- POLITICS: Iraq Marks End of UN Mission; Top Court Ratifies Election Results; Basra Locals Initiate Autonomy Bid – On December 13, UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Baghdad to mark the approaching conclusion of the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI). Last year, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to end UNAMI’s mission on December 31, 2025. Guterres said that Iraq “is now a normal country, and relations between the UN and Iraq will become normal relations with the end of UNAMI,” adding that “today’s Iraq is unrecognizable and remarkable” compared to the violent early years of its transition. Guterres stressed that UNAMI’s departure does not mean the end of cooperation between Iraq and the UN, noting that “many UN agencies, funds, and specialized programs will remain here, continuing their vital development work in support of Iraq and Iraqis.” Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani said the end of UNAMI’s work reflects Iraq’s achievement of “full self-reliance.” On December 14, Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court ratified the final results of the November parliamentary elections and confirmed the list of winners submitted by the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on December 8. The following day, President Abdullatif Rashid issued a decree instructing the incoming parliament to convene its first session on Monday, December 29. On December 18, IHEC officials in Basra said the commission approved a request by civil society organizations to release official forms to collect endorsements for a proposal to create a federal region in the province—a sensitive issue long opposed by ruling parties. Endorsement by 2% of voters will trigger the next legal step, requiring 10% of Basra’s eligible voters to support the proposal before a referendum can be held. In other developments, on December 12, Guterres nominated former Iraqi President Barham Salih to head the UN refugee agency….
