UN urges new Iraqi government to be ‘truly representative, inclusive of women’

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The United Nations on Wednesday welcomed the designation of Adil Abdul-Mahdi as prime minister of Iraq and to initiate the formation of the next government, and expressed its support to the new administration in rebuilding the country.

The Iraqi Council of Representative on Tuesday elected Barham Salih as the new president of Iraq. Salih then named Abdul-Mahdi, a former vice president, as Prime Minister-Designate and tasked him with forming government. He has 30 days to submit his cabinet to parliament for approval.

“Iraq needs a stable, national government that brings Iraqis together and restores hope in their country as they move forward in the post-Da’esh [Islamic State (IS)] period,” the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Jan Kubis said in a statement.

“This government should be formed well within the constitutional timeline, should be professional, competent, truly representative and inclusive of women in Cabinet posts.”

He urged political leaders to live up to their pledges on women’s meaningful representation in politics and for the Prime Minister-Designate to appoint qualified women to key cabinet posts.

“As the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the United Nations family in Iraq congratulate Mr. Abdul-Mahdi on his appointment, we recognize the enormous challenges he faces, and we stand side by side with him as he leads the country in its steady march towards a future of stability, economic growth, and prosperity,” Kubis affirmed.

Iraq held nationwide parliamentary elections on May 12. The ratification of results was delayed for months due to a contentious recount process over allegations of fraud and vote rigging.

The new Iraqi government will be tasked with rebuilding the country after a three-year war against IS and balancing relations between Iraq’s biggest allies, Iran and the US.

Editing by Nadia Riva