In a unanimous decision, the UN Security Council has agreed to conclude the United Nations political mission in Iraq by the end of 2025, marking the end of more than two decades of international support.

 

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Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani formally requested the closure of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in a letter to the council. Al-Sudani commended UNAMI for overcoming “great and varied challenges” and stated that the mission’s necessity has diminished.

The UNSC resolution adopted on Friday extends UNAMI’s mandate for a final 19 months, with the mission ceasing all operations on December 31, 2025. Farhad Alaaldin, Foreign Affairs Advisor for Iraq’s Prime Minister, expressed gratitude on social media for UNAMI’s efforts over the past two decades.

The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 2732 (2024) unanimously

UNAMI mission to end by Decmeber 2025 as #Iraq requested

Thanks to UNAMI for all their work during the past two decades and special thanks to @JeanineHennis for your leadership in the past 5 years. pic.twitter.com/6GhaUtOe0s

— Farhad Alaaldin (@farhad965) May 31, 2024

UNAMI was established in 2003 at the request of the Iraqi government following the US-led invasion. The mission, comprising around 700 staff, has played a crucial role in advising on political dialogue, reconciliation, elections, and security sector reform.

During its previous renewal in May 2023, the Council commissioned a strategic review led by German diplomat Volker Perthes. His report in March suggested that a defined closure schedule would reassure Iraqis that the transition would not undermine democratic progress or threaten stability.

International Support for Iraqi Sovereignty

The decision to end the mission received widespread support from global powers, including Russia, China, Britain, and France. Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Anna Evstigneeva emphasized Iraq’s readiness to take full responsibility for its political future, underscoring respect for Iraqi sovereignty and opposition to external interference.

The United States, which drafted the resolution, acknowledged Iraq’s significant changes in recent years and the need to realign UNAMI’s mission. Deputy US ambassador to the UN Robert Wood highlighted the collective commitment to fostering a secure, stable, and sovereign Iraq.

Political analysts suggest that Prime Minister Sudani’s move is aimed at showcasing Iraq’s transition into a new phase marked by sovereignty. Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, noted that while UNAMI had some successes, it faced challenges in ensuring accountability and fostering an independent civil society.

The people were divided between supporters and opponents, and we see an opinion as follows:

• Parliamentarian Sajjad Salem said: “Leaving the Iraqi people alone as they wage their struggle against the daily tyranny of armed factions and militias without any international humanitarian effort to monitor the human rights file would undermine every international humanitarian effort in Iraq after 2003, and Iraq will record an unparalleled deterioration in this situation.” the side.
• Dr. Khaled Al-Obaidi said in his tweet : “The UN Security Council’s announcement of the termination of the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) represents a pivotal step in strengthening Iraqi sovereignty, and paves the way for a future led by Iraqis themselves to support reform efforts and promote good governance.”

Global Trend of Hostility Towards UN Missions

The UN has faced increasing hostility towards its missions in recent years, particularly in Africa. Countries such as Mali and Sudan have recently requested the departure of UN missions. Richard Gowan of the International Crisis Group observed that the UN Security Council is now more inclined to comply with host nations’ requests to terminate long-standing missions.

“For a long time, the Council’s default position was to keep UN missions in place indefinitely. Now the new default is to let them go quietly,” Gowan remarked.

As Iraq prepares to bid farewell to UNAMI, the international community will be watching closely to see how the country navigates its political future independently.

Read also: U.S. President Invites Iraqi PM Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani For Official Washington Visit