UNAMI chief calls for internal unity, end to party divides in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has called for internal unity in the Kurdistan Region, saying there should no longer be divides along party lines. 

“The Kurdistan Region should not remain divided between “green” and “yellow”, or any other colour definitions for that matter,” she said in Erbil on Wednesday, referring to the colours associated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) respectively.  

The comments were made at a conference on “Iraq and the Kurdistan Region: Unity and Constitution” organized by the University of Kurdistan – Hawler at the Rotana hotel in Erbil.  

The UNAMI chief was frank about her views on the “problems and systemic concerns” facing the Kurdistan Region and wider Iraq, including internal unity and the upcoming elections  - which have left Iraq “at a crossroads.”

“Do not take today’s autonomy for granted. In order to sustain it, unity will prove essential,” Hennis-Plasschaert said, noting the sacrifices made for the creation of the semi-autonomous region. 

Another focus of Wednesday’s event, attended by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and other top politicians, is the drafting of a Kurdistan Region constitution, which was also addressed by the UNAMI chief. 

The Kurdistan Region does not currently have a constitution, instead governed by a series of  laws, instructions and norms. 

In 2019, Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Rewaz Fayaq called on Kurdish parties to unite and reach agreements before beginning to write a constitution. Work began on a draft constitution that year, but was later suspended.

Hennis-Plasschaert said the constitution must fit with that of federal Iraq, which was passed in 2005. 

“Needless to say: the outcome document will have to fit hand-in-glove with Iraq’s federal constitution.”

“A strong, united Kurdistan Region also strengthens federal Iraq, not only domestically but also internationally. Strength abroad begins with strength at home.”