UN Envoy Urges Iraqis to Elect Leaders Beyond Sectarian Divides
“All citizens of this country should benefit from its wealth and resources. Therefore, the sectarian project remains in the past and must be ended in the future,” he declared.
Jan. 31, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – As Iraq prepares for its upcoming parliamentary elections, the United Nations has urged voters to choose leaders committed to national progress rather than sectarian allegiances.
Mohammad al-Hassan, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Iraq, called on Iraqis to recognize their constitutional right to vote and elect leaders who will prioritize economic and social development over divisive politics.
Speaking at a press conference after Friday congregational prayers at the Iraqi Fiqh Council’s main headquarters in Baghdad’s al-Adhamiyah district, al-Hassan underlined the implication of the elections, highlighting that the future of Iraq depends on responsible and peaceful electoral participation.
“Iraq is heading toward an important constitutional right, which is the election, and we have complete confidence in the Iraqi people's ability to exercise this right with utmost responsibility and peacefully,” al-Hassan stated at the Imam Abu Hanifa Mosque.
The UN representative underlined that Iraqis should elect leaders who are dedicated to the country’s future rather than those who exploit sectarian divisions.
He emphasized the necessity for governance centered on economic growth, infrastructure, and public services, calling on Iraq’s citizens to move past sectarian-based politics.
“All citizens of this country should benefit from its wealth and resources. Therefore, the sectarian project remains in the past and must be ended in the future,” he declared.
His comments come at a critical time when Iraq faces growing economic challenges, political instability, and the persistent influence of sectarian divisions.
The upcoming elections are broadly seen as a crucial moment that could determine Iraq’s trajectory toward stability and prosperity.
The UN has been actively involved in aiding Iraq’s electoral process, advocating for transparency and encouraging broad voter participation.
With political factions competing for influence, the push for non-sectarian leadership could shape the country’s governance for years to come.
