The closing of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq presents Baghdad with an opportunity to assert full sovereignty after years of conflict, officials and experts told The National.
At the government's request, Unami will stop operations by the end of this month after 22 years of assisting the country in its transition to democracy after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled longtime ruler Saddam Hussein.
The mission was established to support Iraq's rebuilding of state institutions and democratic governance. It also helped to co-ordinate post-conflict humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.
“The end of Unami marks Iraq's renewed assertion of sovereignty after two decades of political support from the UN,” a government official told The National.
However, the UN will remain a vital asset in addressing Iraq’s economic, social, and institutional challenges through technical and co-operative efforts, he said.
“Handled wisely, this transition coul
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