The role of The United Nations in Resolving the disputed Territories in Iraq 2003-2022

Abstract

Since its inception, Iraq has grappled with multifaceted challenges, prominently among them the issue of disputed internal territories, compounded by governing Ba’ath policies and geopolitical complexities. Following the fall of the former Iraqi regime in 2003 and the drafting of a new Constitution, the Iraqis, mainly the Kurds and Arabs representing the Kurdistan Regional Government and Central Government, included the disputed areas in the Constitution. However, the disputed parties were unable to resolve the issue alone, and they requested the assistance of the United Nations. This dissertation aims to evaluate the efficacy of the UN's involvement in resolving disputed territories in Iraq, employing qualitative methodologies such as interviews and document analysis. Data were collected from various sources like United Nations Security Council resolutions, official reports, the Iraqi Constitution, elite interviews, books, and articles. Drawing upon Liberal Institutionalism as a theoretical framework and utilizing Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms such as conciliation, good offices, and mediation, the research delves into the impediments and factors that have affected the UN's role from 2003 to 2022. Moreover, the other objective is to find and provide appropriate solutions and steps to permanently overcome these obstacles and resolve the disputed territories. Findings underscore the intricate web of internal and external obstacles obstructing resolution efforts spanning over 19 years. Internally, Iraq's political, legal, and socio-cultural factors pose formidable challenges, compounded by the divergent interests of regional and global actors. Furthermore, institutional constraints limit the UN's capacity to effectively participate in the resolution of the disputed areas in Iraq. The study offers practical recommendations to enhance UN efforts to resolve the disputed territories. Emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and engaging with UN initiatives, the study advocates for a multifaceted approach encompassing innovative strategies, expanded outreach efforts, deployment of skilled personnel, and enhanced oversight mechanisms.