UN votes to briefly extend and then end Iraq mission after 20 years following request from government News
Neptuul, CC By-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
UN votes to briefly extend and then end Iraq mission after 20 years following request from government

The UN Security Council (UNSC) voted Friday to briefly extend and then end the United Nations Assistance to Iraq Mission (UNAMI). The mission’s mandate was extended until December 31, 2025, in order to wrap up the mission’s final phase and withdraw.

Established in 2003 following the US invasion of Iraq, the mission was sent to coordinate humanitarian efforts and aid in restoring the government. On May 8, the Iraqi government requested UNSC end the mission by December 2025, with Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani declaring that there was no need for continuation. It was claimed that the mission was redundant as work towards its objectives was already being done.

Sponsored by the US and passed unanimously, the resolution asked Secretary-General Antonia Guterres to prepare a “transition and liquidation plan.” The UNSC has requested Iraq cooperate in these endeavors and praised the progress made by UNAMI, as well as the efforts being made by the Iraq government at restoring peace and stability. UNAMI’s achievements, as noted by Guterres, include assisting organization of elections, protecting human rights and coordinating rehabilitation for the displaced.

The resolutions calls for streamlining the work being done by UNAMI and aims to aid Iraq in its own reform efforts. US Deputy Ambassador, Robert Wood, further supported the resolution by saying that, “Iraq has changed dramatically in recent years and UNAMI’s mission needed to be realigned as part of our commitment to fostering a secure, stable and sovereign Iraq.”

Iraq spokesperson Bassim al–al-Awadi stated that Iraq will continue to seek support in its reforms and other UN agencies will continue to operate in the country. Iraq had requested, earlier this year, to end the mission of its coalition with US against extremist group, Islamic State. It has also asked for the exit of the U.N. Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by ISIS (UNITAD).

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