UN: Credible elections, return of IDPs needed for Iraq stability

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The head of the United Nations (UN) mission to Iraq said on Tuesday that the credibility of upcoming elections and the safe return of those displaced by conflict are crucial to lasting security in Iraq.

Stressing the need for governance that represents all components of Iraqi society, Ján Kubiš told the UN Security Council, "Only a new government based on such an approach will guarantee the future of Iraq as a united, democratic, fully sovereign and independent federal state, as a factor of stability, cooperation and prosperity for its people and for the region."

The diplomat highlighted positive developments, such as the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) and recent international pledges of $30 billion for Iraq reconstruction, but also pointed out remaining challenges. These included the need for "specific measures to facilitate women's participation" and reforms to "improve accountability and promote inclusiveness and reconciliation."

Iraq’s representative to the UN Mohammed Bahr al-Ulum thanked the Security Council, but took some exception to critiques made that day and in recent UN reports on Baghdad’s relations with the Kurdistan Region, women’s rights, conflict prevention, and racial minorities in Iraq. He told the council that Iraq did not support the latest report’s recommendations on these topics, and characterized the nation as “wealthy,” due to its ethnic diversity.

Kubiš, also the UN’s Special Representative to Iraq, expressed hope that the UN would continue to play a coordinating role in areas such as good governance, combating corruption, improving economic growth, and delivering humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs).

He also noted that Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission had steadily continued its election preparations, having registered 205 political parties and 27 coalitions, and pressed for resolution of outstanding issues between Iraq and Kuwait concerning missing persons and property.