The Iraqi government issued a statement today, Sunday, regarding the termination of the UN mission, indicating that it has requested the end of UNAMI's mission by the end of 2025. Government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said: "In commitment to the government's program voted on by the House of Representatives, and in the context of enhancing the role of constitutional institutions, while striving to organize Iraq's relations with international bodies in line with developments that have occurred since 2003, and in a way that serves national interests, the Iraqi government submitted a request to the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General in May 2023 to reduce the mandate of the UN Mission (UNAMI) and to conduct an objective evaluation of its work, in preparation for the final closure of its mission, as the conditions for which this mission was established 21 years ago no longer exist."
He added, "As a result of the Iraqi government's request, the Security Council formed an Independent Strategic Review Team, which conducted an independent evaluation of the UNAMI mission, concluding that there is no need for its continued operation given the positive developments and significant achievements that have been made in Iraq in various security, political, economic, and social fields, as well as its regional and international relations."
Al-Awadi continued, "Based on the report of the Independent Strategic Review Team and the government's conviction, which it has shared with the Security Council and the UN since last year, the government has requested the termination of UNAMI's work by the end of 2025, which is considered a sufficient period to achieve a responsible closure."
He affirmed that "the termination of the mission in Iraq came, in addition to the aforementioned, as a natural result of the developing relationship between Iraq and the UN, deepening cooperation on various other levels." He noted that "the government hopes for a decision from the Security Council by the end of this month that responds to the Iraqi government's request and the recommendation of the independent UN team, while also organizing the follow-up of certain files through a mechanism to be agreed upon, ensuring the continued operation of international agencies working in Iraq."
Al-Awadi expressed "thanks to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to his representative in Iraq Jeanine Plasschaert, and to all the members of the mission for their support to Iraq in recent years," pointing out that "we remember the great sacrifices made by employees of UN missions in Iraq, foremost among them the late Sergio de Mello and his colleagues, who fell victim to a terrorist attack targeting the mission's headquarters in August 2003."
