The Iraqi government has requested the United Nations to end the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) by the end of 2025. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating that Iraq has achieved significant progress in areas under UNAMI’s mandate, making the mission redundant. While the mission is typically extended annually by the U.N. Security Council, Sudani suggested a one-year extension to wrap up tasks and ensure a permanent closure by the end of 2025. Established in 2003 after the U.S. invasion, UNAMI was tasked with facilitating dialogue, election logistics, human rights monitoring, and aid coordination in conflict-affected areas.
A spokesperson for UNAMI declined to comment on the Iraqi government’s request to end the mission. However, Iraqi government spokesperson Bassim al-al-Awadi mentioned that the work of other U.N. agencies in Iraq would continue, and Baghdad would seek technical support for projects such as electoral processes. Sudani’s government has been actively seeking to reduce Iraq’s presence in international bodies established post-2003. Earlier this year, Iraq initiated discussions to phase out the U.S.-led military coalition’s mission in fighting the Islamic State group. Additionally, Iraq chose not to renew the mandate for the U.N. Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by ISIS and requested the team to exit by September 2024.
The move to end the UNAMI mission is part of a broader strategy by the Iraqi government to reduce the presence of international bodies in the country. This follows previous decisions to wind down the U.S.-led military coalition’s mission and to end the mandate of the U.N. Investigative Team for ISIS-related crimes. By accomplishing key milestones in governance, human rights, and other areas, Iraq aims to demonstrate its ability to handle these responsibilities independently. Baghdad has expressed its willingness to continue working with other U.N. agencies for technical support on important projects like electoral processes.
The request to close the UNAMI mission reflects the Iraqi government’s confidence in its ability to manage governance, human rights, and other reform processes internally. Despite the request to end the mission by 2025, Sudani’s government has suggested a one-year extension to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities. Iraq’s decision to reduce international presence in the country follows a pattern of asserting its sovereignty and independence in managing domestic affairs. The move aligns with Iraq’s efforts to take control of its governance structures and address key issues without the ongoing support of external bodies.
