Iraq announces end of Oil-for-Food program imposed by UN following Gulf War
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Saturday announced the end of Iraq’s obligation of the Oil-for-Food program within Chapter VII of the United Nations charter.
Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, prompting the UN Security Council to impose Chapter VII of the UN Charter on Iraq, which includes sanctions and considers the country a threat.
The former Iraqi dictator occupied Kuwait for seven months from August 1990 to February 1991 before being driven out by an international coalition led by the US.
The Oil-for-Food program was established by the United Nations in 1995 under the UN Security Council Resolution 986.
The program was created in response to UN sanctions on the dictatorial system in Iraq which allowed the country to sell oil in the world market in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian needs for its citizens.
Kuwait has objected to Iraq’s departure from Chapter VII for years due to unresolved disputes over borders, missing persons, property, and other issues with the country.
The decision to remove Iraq from Chapter VII came after the “diplomatic successes” of Baghdad, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry announced in a statement.
“All the measures imposed by the Security Council in resolutions 1958 (2010) and 2335 (2016) pursuant to Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations have been fully implemented by the parties,” according to Resolution 2390 (2017) of the Security Council published on Friday.
Following the adoption, Amy Noel Tachco (United States) applauded Iraq’s complete implementation of measures under the program, although the country “still faces many challenges.”
She looked forward to closer cooperation internationally and bilaterally in support of Iraq as a federal, democratic, and prosperous country.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry quoted the Security Council, which noted the resolution was “an important step in the restoration of Iraq’s natural status and international standing, which confirms the end of Iraq’s obligations under Chapter VII of the Oil-for-Food program after it was implemented in full.”
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany