The UN says that “Iraq is running out of time” and calls for “a dialogue without preconditions” in the face of the political crisis

Oct. 10 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United Nations has warned this Monday that “Iraq is running out of time” in the face of the serious political crisis that is shaking the country and has demanded from all parties “a dialogue without preconditions” to form a government, a year after the celebration of early parliamentary elections.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) recalled that “a year ago, Iraqis went to the polls hoping to chart a new future for the country” and stressed that the elections were called “under public pressure through nationwide protests in which hundreds of young Iraqis lost their lives and thousands were injured.

“Unfortunately, this reaffirmation of democracy was followed by a policy of division, generating bitter disillusionment among the population,” the mission said in its statement, in which it stressed that “this long crisis is generating more instability.” .

“The latest events are a test. In addition, it threatens the livelihood of the people,” he warned, before emphasizing that “the approval of the Budgets for 2023 is imperative” and lamenting that the “tireless efforts” to move towards stability have not borne fruit.

Thus, UNAMI has said that “it is time for the political class to assume its responsibility and back its words with actions.” “Through compromise, they must collectively reach agreement on key issues that reaffirm their stated goal, which is to meet the needs of Iraqis and establish a fully empowered and effective government. Now is the time to act,” he concluded.

Iraq has been the scene of new mobilizations in recent days, coinciding with the third anniversary of the October 2019 protests, which resulted in at least 600 deaths throughout the country due to the reaction of the Iraqi Police and pro-Iranian militias.

The protests were active for several months to demand an end to the system of government in place since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, an end to corruption, better basic services and employment.

The protests led to the resignation of the then prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, who was replaced –after the rejection of several nominees– by Mostafá al Kazemi, who initiated a series of reforms and called early elections, held on October 10, 2021.

In these elections, the party led by the Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr won the victory, although it has even been unable to form a government due to the blockade of the pro-Iranian parties and militias, which has caused his bloc to withdraw from negotiations and Parliament, deepening the political crisis in Iraq.

Al Sadr himself ordered the armed groups under his control on Friday to suspend their activities in practically the entire country so as not to increase tension after weeks of fierce clashes in the province of Basra between the religious’s forces and the Mobilization Forces (FMP), a coalition of pro-Iranian militias.