Attachments
I. Introduction
- In paragraph 7 of its resolution 2233 (2015), the Security Council requested that I report every three months on progress made towards fulfilling the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The present report covers key developments related to Iraq and provides an update on the activities of the United Nations in Iraq since the issuance of my report dated 26 January 2016 (S/2016/77).
II. Summary of key political developments pertaining to Iraq
A. Internal developments
2. During the reporting period, the Iraqi security forces, the Peshmerga, the popular mobilization forces and tribal forces successfully continued their military campaign against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) with the support of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. Operations focused on expanding control in Anbar, including central Ramadi, as well as consolidating control over liberated areas in Salah al-Din and Ninewa governorates. Meanwhile, preparations are ongoing to retake areas that remain under ISIL control, including Mosul.
3. In February, in an effort to create better conditions for political and economic reforms, including those aimed at countering corruption, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced a plan to appoint members of the executive solely on the basis of competence and technical expertise rather than party quotas. This initiative to comprehensively reconstruct the Government came as Iraq continued to suffer severe economic and fiscal difficulties, partly owing to low global oil prices. At the same time, popular demonstrations in favour of reforms and anti-corruption measures increased. On 31 March, the Prime Minister delivered a list of candidates to the Council of Representatives, requesting it to approve, reject or modify the list. Since then, the Council of Representatives has postponed its vote on the list several times owing to disagreements on the proposed list. On 12 April, the Prime Minister presented Parliament with a revised list of 14 technocrats for the cabinet, including some names proposed by political parties. In response, 112 Members of Parliament launched a petition to “impeach the three presidencies”, stating that the revised list did not deliver on the demands of the people.
4. In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the inter-party political stalemate continued, preventing the functioning of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament. In addition to fighting ISIL, the region also faces serious humanitarian, economic and fiscal challenges, compounded by the continuing differences over oil exports and revenue-sharing with the federal Government.