Latest news with #Resolution1500
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Ex-diplomat criticizes UN briefing for ignoring Iraq's crises
Shafaq News/ The latest UN Security Council briefing on Iraq glossed over deep political and security challenges and emphasized superficial gains, former Iraqi diplomat Ghazi Faisal said on Wednesday. The Council convened on Tuesday at 5:00 PM Baghdad time (10:00 AM New York), with UN Special Representative Mohamed Al Hassan delivering an update on recent developments and the status of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Established in 2003 under Resolution 1500 following the US-led invasion, UNAMI has since expanded its mandate to include political mediation, election oversight, and humanitarian coordination. Speaking to Shafaq News, Faisal, who heads the Iraqi Center for Strategic Studies, argued that Al Hassan's remarks leaned heavily on optimistic developments while ignoring the structural crises that continue to destabilize Iraq. He suggested the upbeat tone may be intended to ease UNAMI's exit by late 2025 without jeopardizing relations with Baghdad. He contrasted Al Hassan's approach with that of former UNAMI heads Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and Ján Kubiš, who had more openly flagged militant threats, law enforcement breakdowns, forced displacement, and electoral fraud—particularly in 2018. 'Al Hassan focused on electoral transitions, but who's ensuring voter protection and transparency?' Faisal also raised alarm over reports of voter ID cards being sold for up to 500,000 Iraqi dinars (about $354), despite the Independent High Electoral Commission's insistence that only registered cardholders can vote in the 11 November elections, warning, 'If vote buying, military pressure, and partisan influence on state employees persist, it will undermine democratic legitimacy.' While Al Hassan portrayed elections as a peaceful tool for reform, Faisal expressed doubt. 'Fair elections could shift the political landscape—but just as likely, we'll see fraud, coercion, and the recycling of the same ruling elite entrenched since 2003.'
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
UNSC to convene: Iraq on agenda
Shafaq News/ The United Nations Security Council will meet on Tuesday to assess the situation in Iraq. According to UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), the session is set for 5:00 PM Baghdad time (10:00 AM New York). It will feature a briefing by Mohamed Al Hassan, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq, on recent developments and the work of UNAMII. Created in 2003 under Resolution 1500 after the US-led invasion, UNAMI was initially tasked with supporting Iraq's transitional government. Its mission later expanded to include political mediation, electoral support, and humanitarian coordination.
Shafaq News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
UNAMI to pull out of Iraq's Kirkuk
Shafaq News/ The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will close its field office in Kirkuk on Wednesday as part of a plan to adjust its presence in Iraq, according to Deputy Special Representative Claudio Cordone. Following his meeting with the head of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, Mohammad Ibrahim al-Hafez, Cordone stated UNAMI would "continue carrying out its mandate across Iraq until the end of the year" despite the closure, adding jycoordination with local authorities would continue to support the completion of existing programs and projects. The two sides discussed political, administrative, and electoral challenges in Kirkuk, and emphasized the importance of maintaining UN support for good governance, development initiatives, and the promotion of civil peace and coexistence among the province's communities. Al-Hafez expressed appreciation for UNAMI's efforts in Kirkuk, particularly its role in "supporting electoral processes and encouraging peaceful coexistence," emphasizing the Provincial Council's commitment to ongoing coordination with the United Nations on shared areas of work. During the meeting, Al-Hafez also raised humanitarian issues, including the situation of 138 demolished Arab villages, and requested UNAMI's support to "rebuild the villages and facilitate the voluntary and safe return of displaced residents." About UNAMI The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was established under UN Security Council Resolution 1500 in 2003 to assist Iraq's political transition following the fall of Saddam Hussein. Its mandate includes political mediation, electoral assistance, humanitarian coordination, and human rights advocacy. UNAMI's operations were suspended temporarily after the August 2003 bombing of its Baghdad headquarters, which killed Special Representative Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 other personnel. The Mission later resumed operations and continues to operate under a Security Council mandate renewed annually.
