Yesterday, Tuesday, the United Nations envoy to Iraq, Jenin Hennis-Plasschaert, urged the Iraqi political class to get out of the impasse that the country's institutions have been going through for more than 7 months, warning of the risks of popular unrest.

Blackshart said - in a statement to reporters after a regular session of the UN Security Council on Iraq - that she always seeks to see the positive side of things, "but it is time for a change and for the Iraqi political leaders to rise to a higher level."

And she warned of popular frustration, and said, "We cannot allow a return to the conditions we witnessed in October 2019", in reference to the bloody demonstrations that took place in the country.

And Plasschaert repeatedly stressed before the Security Council the "importance of getting out of the political impasse" that Iraq has been witnessing since the end of last year, which she says provokes popular resentment.

She pointed to the worsening of the situation in the country as a result of the "continuing repercussions of the pandemic and global geopolitical tensions."

The UN envoy stressed the need for "a sincere, collective and urgent intention to resolve political differences so that the country can move forward and respond to the needs of its people."

Ms. @JeanineHennis: The lack of clear coordination and implementation mechanisms, the dominance of partisan interests and the continued presence of spoilers greatly impede tangible progress, and international observers have been deployed for less.

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— UNAMI (@UNIraq) May 17, 2022

In her speech, Plasschaert also said that desertification in Iraq is a major concern, at a time when the political class is preoccupied with power battles.

Regarding Kurdistan, Plasschaert said, "The divisions in the region have deepened, which has negatively affected the population," noting that "the neighboring countries are violating Iraq's sovereignty and the security of its territory."

She pointed out that "the lack of clear coordination and implementation mechanisms, the dominance of partisan interests, and the continued presence of spoilers significantly impede achieving tangible progress in Sinjar (northern Iraq)."

More than 7 months after the legislative elections, government institutions are still paralyzed with the inability to elect a president.

In this country, it is the President of the Republic who assigns the Prime Minister to form a government.

Pending a way out of the impasse, the outgoing president, Barham Salih, who is running for a new term, and Prime Minister Mustafa Kazemi continue to conduct business.

international initiative

For her part, the Iraqi civil activist Hana Edwar - in a speech she addressed to the Security Council - urged the international community to intervene to save Iraq by putting in place a deliberate initiative, within a specific time limit, towards putting pressure on the authorities and political decision-makers, to work seriously to overcome the state of political stalemate and the divisions among them, Giving priority to the interests of the people and respecting their international obligations to human rights conventions.

Edward said, "In view of the bitter and perilous reality we live in, reform and change have become an urgent and immediate need to achieve stability, security and peaceful coexistence among Iraqis, according to a new social contract that guarantees equal citizenship that embraces diversity, social justice and the peaceful transfer of power within the framework of a civil state."

She pointed to the importance of integrating civil society organizations into the initiative to activate their role in defending human rights, public freedoms and the rule of law, pressing for an end to impunity, and promoting peaceful coexistence, transparency, accountability, good governance and sustainable development.