The political tussle in Iraq that has repeatedly delayed efforts to change the country’s cabinet now threatens to descend into a full-blown crisis that can destabilize the country. The turmoil comes at a critical time when the government forces are trying to retake land from the Islamic State and the economy is in tatters due to rampant corruption and a huge plunge in oil prices. The United Nations, the US and the international community are concerned that political disputes can disrupt efforts to combat jihadists and bring stability to the country.
Iraqi ministries have for years been shared out between powerful political parties that run the ministries as their personal fiefdoms, doling out patronage and funds. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi wants a cabinet reshuffle as part of his anti-corruption drive but two voting sessions in parliament over the planned reshuffle was cancelled due to difference among the lawmakers. Tussles broke out on Wednesday, a day after the first attempted vote. In the second attempt, instead of voting on a new cabinet lineup, lawmakers tried to sack the parliament speaker and his deputies on Thursday. The conflict has crippled the parliament and threatens to weaken the government institutions which are responsible for running the country.
The Iraqi forces have made huge progress in the fight against militants. The IS has been retreating since December when the Iraqi army recaptured Ramadi, the largest city in the western region. Extending the gains, earlier this week, the army took control of the nearby region of Hit, pushing the militants further north along the Euphrates valley.
As Gyorgy Busztin, the acting head of the UN Iraq mission, said, the only party that benefits from the political divisions and chaos as well as the weakening of the state and its institutions is Daesh. “We should not allow this to happen,” he said.
The crisis in Iraq is also seen as the fight for control between two religious power centres – one based in Najaf, Iraq, and the other in Qom, Iran. Ayatollah Ali Sistani the most revered figure among Iraq’s majority Shia sect in Iraq, wants the government overhaul to improve governance and fight corruption. As Abadi struggles to impose his will, the leader he replaced in late 2014, Nouri Al Maliki, has been steadily reaccumulating power. Maliki is especially close to Iran and the Shia militias, who have been organised under the banner of the Popular Mobilisation Front (PMF), report to him.
The Iraqi leaders should place national interests above political and sectarian considerations and work tirelessly to produce solutions that will take the country out of the current crisis. Reforms are vital for the survival of Iraq and both Maliki and Abadi must unite on this issue.
The political tussle in Iraq that has repeatedly delayed efforts to change the country’s cabinet now threatens to descend into a full-blown crisis that can destabilize the country. The turmoil comes at a critical time when the government forces are trying to retake land from the Islamic State and the economy is in tatters due to rampant corruption and a huge plunge in oil prices. The United Nations, the US and the international community are concerned that political disputes can disrupt efforts to combat jihadists and bring stability to the country.
Iraqi ministries have for years been shared out between powerful political parties that run the ministries as their personal fiefdoms, doling out patronage and funds. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi wants a cabinet reshuffle as part of his anti-corruption drive but two voting sessions in parliament over the planned reshuffle was cancelled due to difference among the lawmakers. Tussles broke out on Wednesday, a day after the first attempted vote. In the second attempt, instead of voting on a new cabinet lineup, lawmakers tried to sack the parliament speaker and his deputies on Thursday. The conflict has crippled the parliament and threatens to weaken the government institutions which are responsible for running the country.
The Iraqi forces have made huge progress in the fight against militants. The IS has been retreating since December when the Iraqi army recaptured Ramadi, the largest city in the western region. Extending the gains, earlier this week, the army took control of the nearby region of Hit, pushing the militants further north along the Euphrates valley.
As Gyorgy Busztin, the acting head of the UN Iraq mission, said, the only party that benefits from the political divisions and chaos as well as the weakening of the state and its institutions is Daesh. “We should not allow this to happen,” he said.
The crisis in Iraq is also seen as the fight for control between two religious power centres – one based in Najaf, Iraq, and the other in Qom, Iran. Ayatollah Ali Sistani the most revered figure among Iraq’s majority Shia sect in Iraq, wants the government overhaul to improve governance and fight corruption. As Abadi struggles to impose his will, the leader he replaced in late 2014, Nouri Al Maliki, has been steadily reaccumulating power. Maliki is especially close to Iran and the Shia militias, who have been organised under the banner of the Popular Mobilisation Front (PMF), report to him.
The Iraqi leaders should place national interests above political and sectarian considerations and work tirelessly to produce solutions that will take the country out of the current crisis. Reforms are vital for the survival of Iraq and both Maliki and Abadi must unite on this issue.
