Press Release

Roundtable Discussion on National Settlement in Post-Daesh Phase Convenes in Basra

28 October 2017

Basra, 28 October 2017 – A roundtable of politicians, tribal representatives, religious leaders, academics and civil society activists from across southern Iraq discussed ways to contribute to the National Settlement in the post-Daesh future of their country, with participants stressing the importance of ending divisions while voicing their views on how to achieve it.

About seventy participants, including nine women, from the Governorates of Basra, Dhi Qar, Missan and Muthana took part in the meeting in Basra. It is the third of a series of roundtable discussions under the theme “National Settlement: Prospects and Challenges” organized jointly by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Implementation and Follow-up Committee for National Reconciliation (IFCNR) at the Office of the Prime Minister, with funding from the Governments of Germany and the Netherlands.

Mr. Ali Abbas, of the reconciliation committee, explained in opening remarks the benefits of the National Settlement for the future of the country being the only alternative to continued conflict, divisions and instability. “National Settlement is a necessity we cannot ignore,” he said. “No doubt it is difficult and complicated. But is it impossible? No. It can be achieved if there is a will and awareness.”

“The settlement should respect the Constitution and be based on the principle of No Victor, No Vanquished, a win-win for all without exception,” he said, adding that the settlement should be inclusive of all components and sides.

Representing UNAMI, Senior Political Affairs Officer Mohammed Al-Najjar, stated that the roundtable is an opportunity to hear from the Iraqis at the local level their vision on the future of their country in the post-Daesh phase. “The engagement of the UN is based on respecting the Constitution, promoting the political process and fighting terrorism. The settlement promotes the principle of equal citizenship and state-building.”

Participants voiced their views, including on how to ensure stronger support for the National Settlement, while they aired grievances such as the performance of politicians and restoring confidence in the political process, as well as the equitable sharing of the natural resources and the mechanism to achieve the settlement and implement it. They requested the UN to play a more proactive role in advancing the process.

Mr. Najjar assured the participants that UNAMI is serious in pursuing the common objective of achieving national reconciliation in Iraq.