Implementation of resolution 2682 (2023) - S/2024/96

Report of the Secretary-General

Introduction

S/2024/96

Distr.: General

25 January 2024 Original: English

II. A.

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2682 (2023), in which the Secretary-General was requested to report every four months on progress made towards fulfilling the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The report covers key developments relating to Iraq and provides an update on the activities of the United Nations in Iraq since his previous report of 26 September 2023 (S/2023/700) and the briefing to the Security Council by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq and Head of UNAMI on 10 October 2023.

Summary of key political developments

Political situation

2. On 18 December, Iraq held Governorate Council elections in 15 federal provinces for the first time in 10 years. In Kirkuk Governorate, the Governorate Council elections were the first held since 2005. The Independent High Electoral Commission opened a total of 38,043 polling stations in 7,766 polling centres for general voting on 18 December, and for special voting for Iraqi security forces personnel and internally displaced persons on 16 December. After casting his vote on 18 December, the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia‘ Al Sudani, congratulated the Iraqi people for the “significant national day” which witnessed “the realization of a constitutional right that had been postponed for a decade”. He also commended the security forces and the Commission for their efforts and described the elections as a “crucial pillar for implementing administrative decentralization and ensuring the representation of the people” within the governorates.

3. Media reports indicated an orderly and peaceful voting process with a small number of security incidents between the opening of polls ahead of special voting on 16 December and the closure of polls after general voting on 18 December. Isolated instances of stun grenades and small arms fire were reported near a small number of polling centres, with no reports of serious injuries. An office of the Independent High Electoral Commission was reportedly targeted by a rocket-propelled grenade in Najaf before polling opened on 18 December. Only minor damage was reported.

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