UN Security Council to deliberate on future of UNAMI

The UN Security Council is set to determine the future of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) this month. The UN-commissioned independent strategic review broadly aligns with the Sudani government's position, yet discrepancies in transition timelines could affect the orderly conclusion of UNAMI’s mandate.

The strategic review, submitted last month, advocates a two-year phased termination of UNAMI's operations. The report's author, Volker Perthes, has proposed beginning the phase-out at the end of this month, with a final conclusion by May 31, 2026. However, in a recent letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister Sudani argued for an earlier termination by December 31, 2025.

Analysis by Iraq Horizons suggests that the differing timelines reflect strategic positioning ahead of the expected parliamentary elections in October 2025. Sudani seeks to take credit for affirming Iraq's sovereignty by concluding the political mission, while the December 31 deadline assures his key backers within the Coordination Framework of a definitive end to UNAMI's mandate.