UN condemns attempts to undermine Iraq election

Security Council denounces assassination attempt on prime minister and 'persistent threats of violence'

Mustafa Al Kadhimi, Iraq Prime Minister conducting a tour in the neighborhoods and streets of Sadr City, east of Baghdad, during which he met a number of citizens who congratulated His Excellency on his safety and surviving the heinous terrorist attack that targeted the Prime Minister.Show less

The UN Security Council has condemned attempts to discredit Iraq’s election and said it deplores the use of violence to settle election-related grievances.

The UN’s most powerful body congratulated the Iraqi government and the Independent High Electoral Commission for conducting “a technically well-managed and generally peaceful election” on October 10.

It welcomed the findings of the commission and the UN political mission in Iraq that partial manual recounts of votes in polling stations matched the reported electronic results.

In a statement approved by all 15 members, the Security Council repeated its condemnation of the November 7 assassination attempt on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi and “the persistent threats of violence” against the UN mission, the electoral commission and others.

Mr Al Kadhimi and seven of his security guards were wounded in the attack on his home in Baghdad's Green Zone by at least two armed drones.

There was no claim of responsibility but suspicion immediately fell on Iran-backed militias that were the biggest losers in last month’s parliamentary elections.

Supporters of the militias have protested to demand a vote recount and at least one was killed in clashes with security forces. Many of the faction leaders blame the prime minister for the violence.

Some analysts said the attack aimed to cut off the path to a second term for Mr Al Kadhimi. Iranian militias had been blamed for previous attacks on the Green Zone, which also houses foreign embassies.

The Security Council stressed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call to all political parties, candidates and other stakeholders “to exercise patience and address any outstanding concerns through established legal channels, and to create a post-electoral environment that fosters mutual understanding and national unity through peaceful and constructive dialogue”.

Iraqi supporters of the pro-Iran Hashed Al Shaabi alliance wave national flags during a protest to denounce the results of Iraq's parliamentary elections. AFP

Council members called for “a peaceful and independent judicial review of electoral appeals”, saying UN personnel “will continue to monitor any unlawful attempts to undermine the election process”.

Members said they “look forward to the peaceful formation of an inclusive government, which would deliver meaningful reforms to address the needs and aspiration of all Iraqis, including women, youths and marginalised communities”.

In the election, Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr who set himself apart from the Iran-backed militias by taking a more nationalistic approach, picked up to 20 additional seats, consolidating his party's status as the single largest bloc in the 329-member parliament.

A Sunni faction headed by Parliament Speaker Mohamed Al Halbousi came in second — a spot the Iranian-backed militias gained in 2018.

Months of negotiations are expected before a coalition representing at least 165 members of parliament can be formed and elect a prime minister.

The elections were held a year early, in line with a promise by Mr Al Kadhimi when he assumed office in 2020 after anti-government protests by tens of thousands of Iraqi youths who rose up in October 2019 in Baghdad and Iraq’s south to decry rampant corruption, poor services and unemployment.

Hundreds died as security forces used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds. The protests dwindled after restrictive measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.