On 20 July 2022, EUAM Iraq met with the Chief of Police of Basra Governorate Major General Ali Adnan to discuss the Mission’s broad-ranging civilian security sector reform mandate and possible future collaboration with the governorate. 

Major General Ali Adnan discussed operational priorities in the Governorate as well as the criticality of effective and realistic strategic planning linked to resourcing and budgeting. Also, the need to intensify efforts to develop a wholly civilian, inclusive, and responsive rule of law orientated policing model necessary to building trust and confidence and delivering positive outcomes for the communities of Basra. 

EUAM Iraq’s Head of Civilian SSR Component Mr. Paul MADDEN, Senior Strategic Advisors Strategy on Policy and Institutional Reform Mr. John MULCAHY, and Senior Strategic Advisors Strategy on Planning & Strategy Mr. Phillip HAYNES met with the Chief of Police of Basra Governorate Major General Ali Adnan at Governorate’s police headquarters in Basra.  

In addition, Major General Ali Adnan underscored the need for investment to modernise policing to support the transformation agenda and highlighted the need for a significant uplift in female police officers which he averred was necessary to better reflect societal change, equality, diversity and enhancing operational service delivery.  

Potential areas of cooperation with the Mission were discussed in the framework of the EUAM Iraq’s mandate. Major General Ali Adnan underscored the strategic importance of the governorate articulating a strategic and operational need for support in a number of policy areas and his desire to leverage the civilian cross-cutting expertise of EUAM Iraq.  

He specifically highlighted the impending 25th Arabian Gulf Cup to be hosted in Basra in January 2023.  Major General Ali Adnan intimated that he would welcome EUAM Iraq’ support in the context of both operational and strategic planning to assure a successful outcome of this high-profile event both for the governorate and nationally.

As well as representing the most significant international sporting event to be held in Iraq since 2003, its impact, opportunities and implications are far broader in terms of Iraq’s standing and aspirations to evolve, develop and evince its national credentials including scope for economic investment. 

EUAM Iraq’s Head of Civilian SSR Component Mr. Paul MADDEN, Senior Strategic Advisors Strategy on Policy and Institutional Reform Mr. John MULCAHY, and Senior Strategic Advisors Strategy on Planning & Strategy Mr. Phillip HAYNES met with the Chief of Police of Basra Governorate Major General Ali Adnan at Governorate’s police headquarters in Basra. 

The Mission acknowledged the importance of this and undertook to explore the feasibility of supporting organisational and operational planning within the scope of its mandate, capabilities, and limitations.

Notwithstanding, it was agreed that the Mission would seek to intensify cooperation with the governorate as a means of concurrently supporting local needs and qualitatively assuring the provision of strategic advice at the federal level given the inherent need to effectively link national engagement with local delivery to effect sustainable change.

The meeting coincided with EUAM Iraq’s  Strategic Planning Capacity Building Symposium delivered in Basra together with the Ministry of Interior’s Director General of Planning.