The head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Monday, during an online event dedicated to the seventh anniversary of the Yazidi genocide, again called for the creation of a unified administration in the disputed region of Shangal, where the Yazidi population lives.

"Years later, the surviving Yazidis still face huge challenges, while they urgently need to rebuild their lives. There are still obstacles in ensuring security, providing public services and the inability of the parties and the authorities to resolve differences in the name of the common good," Janine Hennis — Plaschert said during an online event organized by the Yazidi rights organization Yazda and the Zovighian Partnership.

In October 2020, Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (PKK) announced that, with the support of the United Nations, they had reached an agreement on the restoration and normalization of the situation in Shangal, where rival armed groups operate.

It is noteworthy that the agreement includes a framework for the withdrawal of all armed groups from the area, the restoration of local administration and the appointment of a new mayor. However, so far these steps have not been taken.

Despite strong international support, numerous armed groups remain in the region, which makes the administrative part of the agreement somewhat controversial. After a field trip to Shangal in January, Hennis-Plaschert called for the implementation of the stalled deal, but no clear progress has been made since then.

According to the envoy, Baghdad and Erbil have taken an important step in the right direction, laying the foundation for stability, increasing security and improving living conditions, but progress in improving governments and uniting administrations has been unacceptably slow. And the harsh reality is that these roadblocks are holding progress hostage, and the long-suffering Yezidis of Shangal are paying for it. She explained that the UN is limited in its ability to force further actions, and can " only emphasize our readiness and commitment to help all interested parties move to a normalized, stable situation on the ground."

Murad Ismail, president and co-founder of both Yazda and Sinjar Academy, said during the event that it is extremely important to effectively combat the continued presence of militias and other groups in Shangal.

Also on Monday, the UN Deputy Special Representative for Iraq, Ingibjerg Solrun Gisladottir, during a separate event of the Free Yezidis Foundation, called for comprehensive consultations between all partners on a possible mayoral candidate acceptable to all partners. She admits that the path to such a goal is likely to be problematic, because there will be no direct mayoral elections in Shangala in the foreseeable future.

After the expulsion of IS from Shangal in 2017, Baghdad appointed new local officials to replace the officials who moved to Duhok province in Kurdistan, where they still conduct official business in the district. Thus, there are currently two local governments in Shangala: one is appointed by Baghdad, and the other is elected by the population of this area until October 2017.

Source Ezdina