UNAMI (Iraq): Statement During Briefing

Thank you Mr. President,

I thank SRSG Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert for her briefing and take note of the Secretary General's report on the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

On the political situation, Kenya commends the preparations towards inclusive, transparent, free and credible elections which will lay a solid foundation for social cohesion, political stability and state building. The recent establishment of a higher committee to promote and monitor women's participation in the electoral process is indeed a positive step on inclusivity.

Kenya supports Iraq's request for the involvement of the United Nations in observing these elections.

We also welcome the European Union's contribution to a UN-led project to support capacity-building within the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) in the preparation for the October 2021 elections.

Furthermore, Kenya takes note of other positive developments including the establishment of the Supreme Court as well as progress on the Federal Budget Law by the Council of Representatives on March 31st after lengthy negotiations between political parties and the federal and Kurdistan Regional Governments.

We encourage the parties to sustain this positive momentum, through coordinated implementation of commitments and inclusive national dialogue, in order to build trust and ease any political tensions, ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Kenya also welcomes the enactment of the Yazidi Female Survivors Law, as major step to addressing the needs of survivors of atrocities, committed by ISIL particularly against the Yazidis, Turkmens, Christians and Shabaks.

On the security situation, Kenya condemns the recent violent attacks in the North. We call on UNAMI to work on the de-escalation of military operations that are threatening the lives of the population including the vulnerable, especially women and children.

We further condemn the Da'esh/ISIL attacks in several Governorates of Iraq, including the recent attacks in Sadr city (East of Baghdad). We insist that terrorists should be treated as such and should not be legitimised through classification as political actors.

We must continue to support the role of the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh/ISIL (UNITAD's) in holding ISIL accountable for crimes committed in the country.

Moreover, it is paramount that Iraq is protected from becoming an international arena for states and non-state actors, to settle scores, to the detriment of the security, political stability, and socio-economic progress of the people of Iraq.

Mr. President,

Kenya takes note of the commendable progress made in the identification of Kuwaiti missing persons as well as Kuwaiti property. We encourage continued dedicated cooperation and look forward to further progress on this file.

This finally leads me to the humanitarian situation. With the thousands of Iraqis that reside in the Al-Hol camp in Syria, repatriation of citizens from the camps and the prioritisation of disengagement capabilities as well as capacity building is essential for the region.

Furthermore, Kenya welcomes the UN and the Government of Iraq's 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan to assist 1.5 million vulnerable people, especially given that 4.1 million Iraqis remain in need humanitarian and protection assistance.

In closing, Kenya reiterates its call for all actors to uphold the political independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. We reaffirm our support for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in its assistance to the Government and people of Iraq in advancing inclusive political dialogue as well as national and community-level reconciliation.

I thank you.