ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The European Council adopted a decision on Wednesday to prolong its advisory mission to support security sector reform (SSR) in Iraq for the next two years, promising to continue providing strategic advice regarding the implementation of civilian aspects of Iraq's security.
The mandate, which was due to expire at the end of this month, was extended by EU member states until 30 April 2024, “following dialogue with the Iraqi Government and international partners,” according to a European Council of the European Union statement confirming “Iraq’s strong interest and need for support.”
The European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq (EUAM) is tasked with assisting the development and implementation of the Iraqi National Security Strategy, alongside national strategies and other security priorities. This collaborative process, it says, involves support for institutional reform, combating organised crime, anti-corruption and the protection of cultural heritage.
EUAM Iraq is mandated to advise officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Interior and other authorities charged with civilian related aspects of Iraq’s SSR. The Mission was launched in October 2017 following a request from the Iraqi government for support, and is and led by EUAM Iraq’s temporary Head of Mission Ms. Anne Meskanen.
Last month, between 13 and 18 March, EUAM Iraq representatives including Meskanen visited various sites across the Kurdistan Region including the memorials of Mustafa Barzani and the Barzani genocide museum, the grave of the late Jalal Talabani, and traveled to Halabja to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the chemical attack on the city. Meskanen together with the Ambassador of EU Delegation in Iraq, Mr. Ville Varjola, also held meetings with the Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, as well as a meeting with the Minister of Interior, and Iraqi presidential nominee, Rebar Ahmed.
On 24 March, EUAM Iraq took over the chairmanship of the Executive Steering Committee of the Security Coordination Group (SCG), a forum assisting the Iraq government in implementing the security sector reform, and which includes members from the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq (OSC-I) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The SCG says it seeks to “harmonise” collective action in pursuit of an accountable, capable and sustainable Iraqi security sector through strategic level engagements with its Iraqi counterparts.
On taking over the chairmanship of the SCG, Meskanen said she remained “convinced that any serious progress in SSR can be achieved only if the international community works together towards the common goal of a more stable and prosperous Iraq.”
“EUAM Iraq is happy to chair this high-level forum in its efforts of supporting the Iraqi authorities in building more effective and accountable security forces,” she added.
A Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) report published in March found that the gender gap in the Iraqi security sector and limited number of operational and decision making roles available to women officers is contributing to significant gaps in civilian protection - not least among the country’s female population. As a result, it urged better representation to improve civilian protection in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
