INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Shafaq News/ the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq
(UNAMI) for one year, until 31 May 2023.“The Council is generally united in its support for UNAMI and its mandate
The draft in blue retains UNAMI’s core tasks, including providing advice, support, and assistance to Iraq on the advancement of inclusive
political dialogue and national and community level reconciliation, coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid, promoting accountability
and the protection of human rights, and reporting on electoral preparations and processes.” The UN Council said.According to the
statement, no changes have been made to the text
Still, UNAMI will no longer be providing an enhanced electoral support role now that the 10 October 2021 federal parliamentary election has
taken place.The Security Council said that despite the consensus among Council members on the UNAMI mission but “there were significant
differences regarding climate change
UNAMI’s previous mandate contained preambular language, which recognized that the adverse effects of climate change “can contribute to
desertification and drought, the humanitarian situation and stability in Iraq.” The relevant paragraph also emphasized the need for
comprehensive risk assessments by the Iraqi government and the importance of taking “meaningful actions to adapt to or mitigate challenges
posed by climate change and ecological change,” while the operative part of the resolution directed UNAMI to assist Iraq with facilitating
regional dialogue and cooperation on the adverse impacts of climate change, among other issues.Norway added to the UNAMI mission a new
operative paragraph requiring support for Iraqi efforts to mitigate or adapt to climate change
That it was opposed by Brazil, China, India, and Russia
At the same time, India suggested removing the existing operative text regarding regional dialogue and cooperation on the adverse effects of
climate change and replacing it with language that refers to desertification and drought instead
In response, the penholder apparently amended India’s suggested changes to the text regarding regional cooperation and dialogue by adding
language which indicated that desertification and drought are examples of the adverse effects of climate change
This proposal was unacceptable to Brazil, China, India, and Russia, who broke silently over this issue
The preambular paragraph on climate change was also amended during the negotiations
The new language clarifies that climate change can “adversely impact” the humanitarian situation and “aggravate any existing
Earlier iterations of this text referred only to “existing instability” in the country
However, it seems that “any” was added to this sentence to address concerns raised by Iraq.“The draft in blue contains new language
that calls for the swift and peaceful formation of a new government that can deliver on national priorities for the Iraqi people, such as
economic reform, regional cooperation, stabilization, development, and the promotion and protection of human rights
This language was added to address the current political deadlock in the country, which shows little sign of abating in the aftermath of the
10 October 2021 parliamentary election
While minor edits were proposed to this paragraph by some Council members, there was no opposition to including it
Language on government formation was also added to the existing paragraph concerning the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women
at all levels of decision making, apparently following a suggestion from Ireland.” The Council said.“There is also new text in the draft
resolution that condemns the 7 November 2021 assassination attempt against Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and commends Iraq for
conducting a technically well-managed election last October
This language was also included in a press statement issued by Council members on 15 November 2021, and it seems that no one opposed
including it in the draft.”“Language regarding the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Iraq has also been added to the draft in blue
The Secretary-General’s latest report on UNAMI, which was published on 29 April, notes that humanitarian funding has declined dramatically
in Iraq and indicates that the Humanitarian Coordinator has requested the government to either “assume responsibility for delivery of
services where international funding is insufficient, with other services to be transitioned by December 2022” or “provid[e] funding to
the UN and its partners to allow the continuation” of these services
To reflect this development, text directing UNAMI to assist the Iraqi government with the “transition of humanitarian services to
government systems” was added to the operative paragraph regarding the delivery of humanitarian and medical assistance, while language
which notes that the Council is “looking to” the Iraqi government as it assumes increased responsibility for the provision of
humanitarian services was added to the preambular section.”“Existing text concerning the relationship between the federal government of
Iraq and the Kurdistan regional government (KRG) was also amended during the negotiations
UNAMI’s current mandate directs the mission to encourage the federal government and the KRG to implement their 2021 budget agreement fully
and negotiate agreements on other outstanding issues
The new language in the draft resolution expands on this text and instructs UNAMI to actively support the federal government and the KRG to
engage in regular and structured dialogue “in a manner consistent with the unity of Iraq and its constitution,” including concerning
“security provisions, budgetary arrangements, and the management of Iraq’s oil and gas resources.” It also calls for implementing
existing agreements between each country, “including the 2020 Sinjar agreement”
This language appears intended to address recent developments in Kurdistan, including clashes between the Iraqi military and the Sinjar
Resistance Units (YBS) in Sinjar and the Iraqi Supreme Court’s 15 February decision to overturn a 2007 oil and gas law enacted by the KRG
It seems that it was added by the US after it consulted with Baghdad and the KRG.”The draft in blue also extends UNAMI’s reporting cycle
from three to four months
It appears that this change was made following a request from the government of Iraq.
