Al-Rafidain Center for Dialogue RCD organized an interactive symposium on the role of the UNAMI mission in Iraq, during which The Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Alice Walpole, reviewed the most prominent functions of the mission in Iraq. She explained that the UNAMI mission in Iraq provides advice and assistance to the Iraqi government in various fields, especially political, electoral and analytical ones, as the mission has specialized work teams in these areas. Ms. Walpole added that the activities of the UNAMI mission are not limited to certain areas of Iraq, but rather that it is comprehensive, and covers all Iraqi regions. The mission's activity concentration in areas liberated from terrorism is due to two reasons, the first is the urgent humanitarian need to improve the conditions of those areas, and the second is the requirement of donors that most of the incoming donations go to urgent humanitarian cases.

The lecturer also touched upon the achievements made in Iraq during 2018, including the holding of parliamentary elections on time and with the participation of all Iraqis in all regions. In addition, the lecturer talked about the challenges facing the Iraqi government, especially the challenge of economic reform, providing job opportunities, and promoting good governance.

Below are the main conclusions and recommendations of the symposium. 

Conclusions:

1.     The year 2018 was considered a challenging year for Iraq. The holding of elections on time, with the opportunity for the participation of all Iraqis, including the displaced and residents of the liberated areas is a positive point.

2.     The new government, which was formed on a political rather than sectarian basis has an ambitious government program that implies items related to reform, investment, the private sector, sustainable development, providing jobs, combating terrorism and strengthening the rule of law, as well as solving political problems with the Kurdistan region related to problems such as the budget and disputed areas.

3.     The United Nations Mission in Iraq has an important contribution to the electoral process, by the advice it provides to the Iraqi government, through its experts in the field of elections. In the last election, The United Nations had a role in preparing the ballot, which is a very important issue. The role of the United Nations, in the recounting and sorting, has given credibility to that process.

4.     The United Nations welcomes the peaceful transfer of power that took place between the former Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi and the new Prime Minister, Mr. Adel Abdul-Mahdi within the constitutional deadlines.

5.     The United Nations welcomes the holding of the Kurdistan elections, and this is a step in the right direction, as those elections were held in an atmosphere of transparency and all allegations of fraud were verified.

6.     The activity of the UNAMI mission in Iraq is not limited to a specific area, as it covers all Iraqi provinces from north to south. The increase of that activity in areas liberated from ISIS is due to two reasons: the first is the urgent humanitarian need for these areas, and the second is that most of the donors’ donations are mainly allocated to address emergency cases.

7.     The UNAMI mission is interested in Iraqi women's issues and seeks to help them, especially in the economic aspects, particularly in the liberated areas. The mission also has important activities with regard to electronic targeting of women, as it seeks, in the same context, to organize online workshops that ensure the participation of large numbers of participants, especially from remote areas, with the aim of raising awareness about cybercrime.

8.     The UNAMI mission is concerned with the human rights situation, and the violations that may occur in this regard. Out of its concern, the mission sent investigation teams to Basra, after reports of human rights violations during the demonstrations.

9.     The UNAMI mission works to assist Iraq under the mandate it receives from the Security Council and with the approval of the Iraqi government. The mission has a group of teams, including a political team, an electoral team, and a third analytical team, working, collectively, to help Iraq in various aspects. The mission's role also includes cooperation with civil society organizations throughout Iraq.

10. Iraq is one of the countries with great economic resources, as it exports about 3.7 million barrels, and therefore donors do not pay money related to achieving development in it, but most donations are limited to treating post-war situations, such as IDPs and others.

11. The UNAMI mission in Iraq has been involved in preparing for the upcoming provincial council elections, and is in continuous cooperation with the Independent High Electoral Commission. The mission was able to include Kirkuk in those elections, which is an important development.

12. The UNAMI mission had talks with Turkey and Iran on water issues and the rivers shared with Iraq, and the mission sees the need for dialogue between Iraq and those countries to solve the water problem.

Recommendations:

1.     The voter turnout, which reached 44 percent, reflects widespread popular dissatisfaction with the government's performance. Iraqi politicians should work to achieve justice and good governance, and to eliminate sectarianism and quotas.

2.     The government should address the problems that led to the demonstrations in Basra, demanding providing jobs and eliminating corruption and foreign interference, which spread to various Iraqi cities. Noting that there is a slowdown in responding to the demands of the demonstrators.

3.     The fact that some female candidates get a lot of votes in the elections is a positive point. There must be a central participation of women in government and its decisions. The lack of a woman and a minority representative in the new government is a matter of concern.

4.     The new government needs to give priority to reform in its various political, economic and social aspects, as well as providing job opportunities that can lead to the consolidation of the foundations of development and the achievement of prosperity and stability.

5.     The United Nations urges Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and the political blocs to complete the formation of the Iraqi government, which stalled due to differences over some ministerial positions, as the delay is a cause for concern to the United Nations.

6.     Iraq needs the support and assistance of the international community and the sustained political support of Iraqi political leaders in order to achieve the success of the government program.

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