Despite its huge oil and other natural resources, Iraq finds itself in a horrific economic and social situation. The local economy is almost completely decimated and basic services have been more or less unavailable since 2003. The populace lives through the burning summer months and harsh winters without electricity.
Iraq had has almost emptied its human resources after citizens were forced to migrate because of sectarian strife and Iranian interventions, which have further kindled the conflict despite the prudent attitude of religious cleric Sayyed Al Sistani. The main reason behind this economic and social collapse is reflected in one word — “corruption”.
Corruption under former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki’s Dawa party leadership has been transformed to institutional activities led by sectarian mafias that deal in extreme violence. This has led to the vaporising of hundreds of billions of dollars of oil revenue, as they end being diverted to the secret accounts of the Dawa party leaders and militias in accordance with their stature and position.
This was done under the eyes and ears of Iranian influence and its representative Qassem Soleimani, the protector of corruption in Iraq. And nothing has been done on the charges made by the American supervisors who spoke before the end of Maliki’s term about the disappearance of $8 billion. No effort has been made to find the sums and pump it back to Iraq in the form of investments in infrastructure and mitigate the sufferings of the people.
Everyone looks away. Others attempt to provide justifications that are uglier than sin, as they say.
Last week, the former prime minister and current minister of foreign affairs Ibrahim, Al Jaafari, said Iraq’s wealth is going toward fighting terrorism!
We don’t not know whether Al Jaafari is deceiving himself or trying to fool others. If matters are like he said, then Mosul would not have fallen in just a few days to Daesh, and a national army could have been built instead of sectarian militias which contribute to the looting of the state.
The fact is Iraqis of all classes and sects have expressed themselves more than once in popular protests that Iraq’s wealth is getting dissipated. First the corrupt take out a big portion of this wealth, and so much so it is not fitting to call the ruling Dawa party leaders millionaires, but rather billionaires.
Over the past 10 years they were able to acquire nearly $100 billion in oil revenues, and taking advantage of the doubling in oil prices in recent years.
Another part of Iraq’s wealth is seized via Iran’s influential agreement through the pro Wilayat Faqieh Dawa Party mandate. Iranian obligations in Syria and to the terrorist outfit Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and various Shiite campaigns cannot be borne entirely by Iran under its deteriorating oil sector.
This requires that Iraqi sourced funds should come its way to expand Iranian influence in the region.
The third portion of the oil revenues are shared by sectarian militia leaders that run many areas — including some of the some oil-producing southern region — and receive support from Iran and the ruling party. In addition, there is the takeover by Daesh of some fields near Mosul and Kirkuk in the north.
Unfortunately, simple people are the ones who pay a high price for the economic and environmental sector deterioration. They are deceived by hollow slogans and lies that have become clear gradually, thus creating a wave of discontent among Iraqis who have united against corruption. It is indeed a rare instance and has not taken place in Iraq for a long time.
It is known that when corruption enters the door, development goes out of the window, and this is the case in Iraq.
To get out of this crisis and provide basic services and employment opportunities, it is necessary to fragment the foundations of corruption led by the ruling party and representatives of the powerful Iranian militias. Also, the sectarian regime — formed to deceive people and seize their livelihoods and rights on partisan grounds — must be abolished.
It is only then that Iraq can gain back its health and push its way back into development.
Dr Mohammad Al Asoomi is a UAE economic expert and specialist in economic and social development in the UAE and the GCC countries.
