The Iraqi government has asked the United Nations to end its decades-long political mission to the country by 2025, stating that the force is no longer necessary, AFP reported Friday, citing a letter by Baghdad to the Security Council.

In the document, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani described what he said were "positive developments and the achievements" by successive Iraqi governments as well as fulfillment of the UN mission's mandate.

He pointed out that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), in existence since 2003, has overcome "great and varied challenges," concluding that "the grounds for having a political mission in Iraq" no longer exist.

Calling for an end date of December 31, 2025, al-Sudani specified that the mission in the meantime should focus only on issues related to "economic reform, service provision, sustainable development, climate change and other development sectors."

UNAMI was established in 2003 by a UN Security Council resolution at the request of the Iraqi government before being expanded four years later. It is renewed every year and advises the government on political dialogue and reconciliation, as well as helping with elections and security sector reform.

The Security Council next week will debate the renewal of the mission since the current mandate ends at the end of the month.

During the mission's last renewal in May 2023, the Council asked the Secretary-General to launch a strategic review, which was overseen by German diplomat Volker Perthes.

In a report issued in March, Perthes signaled that an end to the mandate could be appropriate, concluding that "the two-year period identified by the government for the mission's drawdown can be a sufficient time frame to make further progress."

Related News

Relations with Syria necessary, al-Sharaa visit premature: Al-Khazaali

Al-Sudani reaffirms Iraq’s support for Syrian sovereignty

Read more: Iraq says reached agreement on ending foreign presence

Somalia also calls for end to UN political mission

On Thursday, AFP also reported that Somalia has asked the UN to end its political mission that has been present in the country for more than a decade when its mandate expires in October.

In the letter to the Security Council, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi requested "the termination of the mandate of the United Nations assistance mission in Somalia (UNSOM), following a thorough consideration of our strategic priorities."

Praising the mission, which "has played a crucial role in promoting peace, stability and development in our country," he wrote that "it is now appropriate to transition to the next phase of our partnership."

"We are confident that the achievement and lessons learned during the mission's presence will continue to guide our efforts towards sustaining peace and prosperity," he wrote.

When UNSOM's mandate was renewed last October, the Security Council called on the mission to "maintain and strengthen its presence across Somalia" and expressed "serious concern" about the humanitarian situation.

UN missions can only be deployed with the agreement of the host country.

Several countries have forced the departure of UN missions -- in Mali, for example, where MINUSMA pulled out last year.

December also saw the Security Council end the political mission to Sudan at the request of authorities there.