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Diplomatic missions, back Kurdistan Region’s election date decision

2024-03-03T16:34:41+00:00

Shafaq News/ The diplomatic missions in Erbil and Baghdad welcomed, on Sunday, the announcement of the date for the Kurdistan Region Parliament elections.

The Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, said in a statement, “the diplomatic envoys supported holding “free, fair and transparent” elections and urged the political forces in the Kurdistan Region to stick to the final date for the elections.”

The consulates of the US, France, Italy and the Netherlands in Erbil said on Twitter that they supported the election date, and that holding the elections is a way of applying the principles of democracy.

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq “UNAMI” also said that it supported setting the date for the elections and that it was ready to help.

Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Political) at UNAMI said, “It’s 10 June for the Kurdistan Parliamentary elections. Looking forward to no more obstacles. UN in Iraq is ready to continue to provide its support as requested.”

Noteworthy, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced on Sunday, that it opened the registration for the Kurdish political parties and blocs that want to take part in the Kurdistan Region Parliament elections in 2024, from March 5 to March 14, which cannot be extended. The registration will be in Baghdad at the Department of Political Parties and Organizations Affairs and at the electoral offices in the Kurdistan Region provinces.

Earlier today, The Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani signed a regional order that sets the date for the next Kurdistan Region Parliament elections.

The order, which is based on the second paragraph of the first article of the amended Kurdistan Region Presidency Law No. (1) of 2005, sets June 10, 2024…

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Group assails track record of Comelec contractor

group assails track record of comelec contractor

Group assails track record of Comelec contractor

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is being hounded by questions over the track record of a South Korean company that won the service contract for the 2025 elections.

A group skeptical of the winning bidder cited reports of the company’s machines malfunctioning when used in the elections in two other countries.

Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP) on Friday expressed concern over the awarding of the P17.9 billion vote-counting contract to Miru Systems, given the issues that cropped up during the

2023 elections in Iraq and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

DWP cited local and international news reports about Miru machines encountering glitches that “resulted in delayed voting, widespread chaos, and worst, massive erosion of public trust.”

Iraq election

Regarding the 2023 elections in Iraq, Miru has already denied the allegations and cited an earlier statement from the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (Unami) that described the elections as “fair and successful.”

But on Dec. 12, 2023, Claudio Cordone, deputy chief of Unami, clarified in a news statement that their mission does not have an electoral monitoring role.

“Unami will not observe or monitor the Dec. 18 elections, and is therefore not in a position to undertake an assessment of the manner in which the elections are conducted,” the news release read.

DWP also noted that Miru had yet to respond to questions from third-party election observers in Kinshasa, such as the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (Cenco) and the Church

of Christ in Congo (ECC).

Congo polls

According to the preliminary election report of Cenco and ECC gathered from the 60,000 nationwide volunteers, about 45.1 percent of the polling stations experienced problems with their

electronic…

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Speech by Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert | Sixth Baghdad International Dialogue, 24 February 2024 [EN/AR]

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Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I’m glad to be part of this dialogue which explores opportunities to strengthen regional connectivity and integration. A timely gathering, I would say. As always, it is a great honour to be here. In Baghdad. A city steeped in history and tradition. A city I have called my home for over five years now.

Ladies and gentlemen, Iraq’s centrality to regional stability cannot be overstated. For numerous reasons. This is a point I have made many times.

Now, I assume there is no need to spell out the many highs and lows which faced Iraq over the past decades. All of you will already be aware, our Iraqi friends and colleagues most of all.

Instead, I wish to use this opportunity to emphasize that, today, Iraq is increasingly well positioned as an arena for dialogue and investment.

Within this context, domestic stability is (of course) key. Key for the Iraqi people, first and foremost. But also key for people of the region and beyond, as well as key for (for instance) foreign and private investors.

For any country to advance on the global or regional stage, it must be trusted. And, equally important, it must be able to trust others. And yes, that can be easier said than done. As we all know: trust is hard to gain but easy to lose. And nobody denies that legacies from the past can still impact the present. In other words: building trust requires constant and hard work. And that includes the ability to self-reflect.

One thing is for sure: each and every country benefits from being a reliable partner. Why? Because, at the end of the day, everything is connected.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Iraq of today is very different from that of two decades prior. It…

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Iraq to officially investigate UNDP bribery allegations

A meeting organized by the Iraqi National Security Advisory and with the IOM and UNDP is held to discuss the role of community leaders in the return and reintegration of displaced Iraqis, in Irbil, Iraq, on 23 June 2022. [Getty]

The Iraqi Integrity Commission has launched an investigation into corruption allegations linked to the UN’s work in Iraq, following accusations of bribery published earlier this month by British newspaper The Guardian.

The announcement was made on the Commission’s official Facebook page.

The Guardian report alleged UN employees in Iraq working under a United Nations Development (UNDP) programme had accepted bribes from Iraqi businessmen to secure contracts for reconstruction projects.

The Integrity Commission responded by forming a team to investigate the claims and is seeking evidence and clarifications from the newspaper’s editors, according to its statement.

The UN mission in Iraq (UNAMI) confirmed the departure of its Special Representative, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, but distanced itself from the corruption allegations against sister agency UNDP and denied this was linked to the scandal.

UNAMI emphasised its commitment to “accuracy” and urged the media to avoid “misleading information.”

“UNAMI would like to set the record straight regarding the recent circulation of misleading reports in various Iraqi traditional and social media outlets concerning the departure of Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert,” said the UNAMI in a statement on Wednesday.

“UNAMI emphasises that the SRSG’s departure in May aligns with usual practices within the United Nations, including the standard rotation of senior UN officials,” it added. 

Hennis-Plasschaert concluded her five-year term on 6 February, calling for Iraq to remain neutral in regional conflicts.

She faced criticism during her tenure for alleged bias towards certain Iraqi factions, according to our Arabic service Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

What is the UNDP accused of in Iraq?

According to the investigation by The Guardian,…

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Maraykanka waxa ka go’an Ciraaq xasilloon oo nabad ah

Washington — 

“Maraykanka waxaa weli ka go’an inuu la shaqeeyo dawladda Ciraaq, si loo xoojiyo oo loo sii qoto dheereeyo iskaashiga dawladeed ee muddada dheer soo jireenka ah si aan u raadinno Ciraaq ammaan ah, xasilloon oo madaxbannaan,” ayuu yiri danjire Robert Wood, oo ah ergeyga hawlaha gaarka ah ee Maraykanka u qaabilsan arrimaha siyaasadda ee Arrimaha Qaramada Midoobay.

Nasiib darro, maleeshiyaadka taabacsan Iran ayaa ku hanjabaya inay wiiqi doonaan guulihii adkaa ee Ciraaq laga gaaray tan iyo markii dhulka looga adkaaday Daacish toddobo sano ka hor, ayuu yiri Ambassador Wood.

Tan iyo Oktoobar 2023, kooxahani waxay weerareen ciidamada Maraykanka iyo kuwa isbahaysiga ee Ciraaq, Suuriya iyo Urdun in ka badan 165 jeer. Nasiib darro seddax askari oo Mareykan ah ayaa la dilay, tobanaan kalana waa lagu dhaawacay 28-kii Janaayo markii maleeshiyaadka xulafada la ah Iran ay weerareen ciidamada Mareykanka ee fadhigoodu yahay Jordan si ay uga qeyb qaataan dagaalka ka dhanka ah Daacish. “Khasaaretani waa mid aad u xun, tani waa wax aan la aqbali karin. Weerarradan oo kale ma sii socon karaan.”

Danjire Wood ayaa sheegay in weerarro badan oo kuwan la mid ah oo ka dhacay Ciraaq oo lagu beegsaday ciidamada Mareykanka iyo kuwa isbaheysiga ee lagu martigeliyay saldhigyada Ciraaq ay sababeen khasaare dhimasho iyo dhaawac, oo ay ku jiraan saaxiibada Ciraaq ee leh hindisaha dagaalka wadajirka ah ee ka dhanka ah ISIS:

“Kooxaha hubaysan ee ka hawlgala meel ka baxsan gacanta dawladda waxay caqabad weyn ku yihiin maamulka dawladda Ciraaq iyo dadka Ciraaq, iyagoo ku hanjabaya inay xoojinayaan xasilloonida Ciraaq ay si adag ula dagaallameen si ay u gaaraan.”

Hawlgalka Kaalmaynta Qaramada Midoobay ee Ciraaq, ama UNAMI, waxa ay weli hayaan shaqo muhiim ah oo ay tahay in la qabto, ayuu carrabka ku adkeeyay Danjire Wood:

“UNAMI waxay horey u bixisay kaalmo aad u qiimo badan…

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Abandoned dog found tied to a pole in Cranford

CRANFORD, New Jersey (WABC) — An abandoned dog was found tied to a pole in Cranford, New Jersey Thursday morning.

Around 6 a.m., someone called police after seeing a dog was tied to a pole on Lexington Avenue near Unami Park.

The dog, named Zeus, was left with a sign that said, “Not rabid, no biting, need a home.”

Animal Control Solutions took in the Pit-mix and said he is healthy and warming up with the staff.

Police say the dog was left to fend for himself, cold and alone.

“It was 25, no water, no food around it,” said Captain Matthew Nazzaro with the Cranford Police. “There really is not an excuse for leaving a dog. There may be reasons, but there is not a reason to leave a dog in these extreme temperatures.”

Police were able to figure out the dog was microchipped, and they are now looking for his previous owner.

There is an investigation into Zeus’ abandonment, and Nazzaro says depending on the outcome, the person responsible could face charges.

Police are asking anyone with information about the dog to call 908-272-2222.

ALSO READ | New York City, Tri-State animal shelters at capacity, emblematic of national crisis

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France is deeply concerned by the repercussions of regional tensions in Iraq

Madam President,

I thank the Special Representative for her briefing. I welcome the presence among us this morning of the representatives of Iraq and Kuwait.

France welcomes the efforts of the Iraqi government to implement the reforms awaited by the Iraqi population, and calls for their continuation.

France welcomed the smooth holding of provincial elections on December 18, the first since 2013. We welcome the support provided by UNAMI to the Independent High Electoral Commission. Recent announcements concerning the appointment of new local authorities are encouraging. France hopes that parliamentary elections can be held in Iraqi Kurdistan as soon as possible.

We encourage Iraq to pursue its reforms, as announced by the Iraqi Prime Minister, particularly in terms of diversifying its economy, fighting corruption and impunity, and protecting human rights.

With regards the relations between Baghdad and Erbil, France calls for a resumption of dialogue, particularly on the sharing of oil revenues and security issues. This is in the interest of both parties.

Madam President,

France will closely examine the conclusions of the strategic review on UNAMI next March.

This strategic review requested by the Security Council is independent, and we will carefully look at its conclusions and recommendations. France welcomes the essential role played by UNAMI in providing assistance to Iraq in many areas, while fully respecting its sovereignty. France thanks and congratulates the Special Representative for the exceptional commitment she has demonstrated in the service of Iraq and the Iraqi people throughout her mandate over the past five years.

As a strategic partner of Iraq, France will continue to listen to the Iraqi authorities on the future of UNAMI. Our shared objective is for any change in its mandate to be successful, and we will work together with Iraq and the United Nations to achieve that.

France is…

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Restraint Crucial to Preserve Hard-Won Stability, Achieve Durable Progress in Iraq, Top UN Official Tells Security Council, Amid US Air Strikes, Ongoing Gaza Conflict

9543RD MEETING (AM)
SC/15578
6 FEBRUARY 2024

Restraint is required to create the environment Iraq needs to consolidate hard-won stability and realize sustainable progress, the senior United Nations official in the country told the Security Council today, amidst United States air strikes in Iraqi territory on 2 February and the ongoing conflict in nearby Gaza.

“Messaging by strikes only serves to heighten tensions, to kill or injure people and to destroy property,” stressed Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), as she briefed the Council on the Secretary-General’s reports concerning missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property (document S/2024/95) and concerning UNAMI (document S/2024/96).

If attacks originating from within and outside of Iraq’s borders continue, this will undo the country’s hard-won stability and other achievements made over the past 18 months, she said. An enabling environment is essential for Iraq to continue on its path of stability and progress, but such an environment requires restraint from all sides. While spotlighting certain progress — including the holding of local elections for the first time in 10 years on 18 December 2023 — she emphasized that climate-change-related events “combine to paint a rather bleak picture, in which existing fault lines come under increasing pressure”.

Also updating on events in the Kurdistan region and the Iraqi Government’s commitment to the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property, she nevertheless emphasized that swifter progress is needed. Further, the Government’s plans for sustainable progress, real reform and better living standards will become more difficult to realize with each passing year. Therefore reiterating the importance of ceasing attacks and creating an enabling environment, she stated: “It is quite simple: the enormous risks and potential devastating consequences…

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UK Touts Iraq’s Potential as Regional Stabiliser at UN

Thank you, Madam President, I would like to welcome the representatives of Iraq and Kuwait to the chamber.

Let me start by thanking the Special Representative for her briefing, and for the important work of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq. I would like to highlight three points of particular importance for the UK.

First, we commend the progress being made by Iraq across the breadth of political and economic issues set out by the Special Representative. UNAMI’s contribution to that progress is deeply valued by the United Kingdom. We look forward to discussing the outcome of the Strategic Review being led by Volker Perthes and the future shape and function of UNAMI, in discussion with relevant parties, including of course the sovereign state of Iraq.

Second, Iraq has the potential to play a strong stabilising role in the region. To do so, it is critical that its territory not be used by Iranian proxies to destabilise the region. We offer our condolences to the families of those killed in Iran’s 15 January strike on Erbil. We urge Iran to deescalate tensions in the region. We reiterate our commitment to the Global Coalition against Daesh, which operates within Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government, as well as our commitment to a secure and sovereign Iraq.

Third, we congratulate Iraq on holding its first provincial elections for a decade. We look forward to the holding of elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq without further delay and encourage all relevant actors to take steps to ensure necessary preparations are made to ensure they are free, fair and timely. We hope a sustainable outcome on the transfer of budget allocations from Baghdad to Erbil can be agreed and we encourage relevant political parties to play a constructive role to support that.

Finally, Madam President, we…

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Implementation of resolution 2682 (2023) Report of the Secretary-General {S/2024/96)

Implementation of resolution 2682 (2023) Report of the Secretary-General {S/2024/96) – Iraq | ReliefWeb Skip to main content

Iraq

Format UN Document Source Posted 6 Feb 2024 Originally published 6 Feb 2024 Origin View original

Attachments

Introduction

  1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2682 (2023), in which the Secretary-General was requested to report every four 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 his previous report of 26 September 2023 (S/2023/700) and the briefing to the Security Council by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of UNAMI on 10 October 2023.

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