NEW YORK — The top United Nations official in Iraq made an urgent appeal on Tuesday for the prompt formation of a new Government that meets the aspirations of that country’s people.
“National elections took place well over seven months ago and multiple deadlines for the formation of a government have been missed,” Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert told the Security Council.
She pointed out that while political leaders subscribe to the notion of dialogue, the necessary willingness to compromise is painfully absent.
Noting that notorious aspects of Iraq’s political life are repeating themselves in “a seemingly incessant loop of zero-sum politics”, Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert – who also heads the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) – said that Iraqis continue to wait for “a political class that will roll up its sleeves to make headway on the country’s long list of outstanding domestic priorities”.
These include adequate service delivery to all citizens and an end to pervasive corruption, factionalism and pillaging of State institutions.
The UNAMI chief also emphasized the importance of diversifying the economy and implementing desperately needed reforms.
Moreover, she said that predictable governance rather than constant crisis management is needed, stressing that accountability must be a key feature of the State.
While asserting the State’s authority, Hennis-Plasschaert flagged that it is vital to rein in non-state armed actors.
“The neglect of the population’s most basic needs has gone on for far too long,” she underscored.
Turning to the Sinjar agreement, signed in October 2020 by the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan regional government in Erbil, she described it as being seen by many as a “glimmer of hope: a very first but important step in the right direction”.
While the agreement could lead to a new chapter for Sinjar, it first needs stable governance and security structures, she pointed out.
Despite having called for speedy implementation,…
