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Running out of options in Iraq
A series of turbulent events has shown leading figures in very poor light and it's no surprise that the political process has begun to lose legitimacy
- By Mohammad Akef Jamal, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 22:59 October 4, 2009
Over the last few months, the Iraqi political scene has witnessed a number of important events which have affected the internal situation in the country.
These events, in particular the security deterioration in Iraqi governorates, have come to be viewed with increasing consternation in a number of countries in the region.
The announcement of the new Iraqi National Coalition, an extension of the Unified Iraqi Coalition, which was formed in an attempt to give a national character to its structure by including a few prominent Sunni leaders - but not Sunni blocs - was also a notable development.
Great efforts have been made outside Iraq, it seems, to impress on recalcitrant blocs such as the Fadilah Party, the Sadrist movement and the Iraqi National Conference to return to the coalition fold. This announcement seemingly prepares the ground for the return of sectarian alliances that will benefit a certain neighbouring country and increase its influence in Iraq.
Another major event was the armed robbery at Al Zuwiyah branch of Al Rafidain Bank in Karrada district on June 30. A sum of money amounting to $4 million (Dh14.6 million) was stolen and eight of the bank's security personnel were killed.
The crime, it turned out, was carried out by a special unit in the Iraqi army responsible for the protection of senior officials in the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI). The issue was politicised to hurt the prospects of Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraq's Senior Vice-President and the ISCI's strongest candidate, with an article critical of the ISCI being published in the media.
The 'Bloody Wednesday' blasts that took place on August 19 were also aimed at challenging the authority of the Iraqi government. The blasts, which targeted the ministries of foreign affairs and finance, aimed to erode the government's prestige in the Green Zone, questioning Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's assertions of security and stability.
This led Al Maliki to accuse Syria of sheltering armed men wanted for cross-border attacks and appealing to the United Nations for help in halting what he called a hostile act. Blaming an alliance between Al Qaida in Iraq and Saddam Hussain's outlawed Baath party, Al Maliki called on Syria to hand over several suspects he said are based there.
The Iraqi Presidential Council issued a communiqué to repudiate Al Maliki's accusations of Syria. The council also sent a letter to the Arab League's Secretary General apprising him of its stand in a move that embarrassed Al Maliki.
Other political blocs affiliated to the Iraqi National Coalition also issued statements further weakening Al Maliki's position.
When the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq leader Abdul Aziz Al Hakim succumbed to lung cancer on August 26, his death could have left Iraq's largest Shiite political party in turmoil - if it weren't for a son who had been long groomed to take his father's place. Ammar Al Hakim was confirmed as the Iranian-backed ISCI's next leader, a move which has intensified political inheritance in Iraqi parties. It may be recalled that the Kurdistan Democratic Party's leadership was inherited by Mustafa Barzani's son, Masoud Barzani, after Mustafa passed away in the 1970's.
However, Ammar's call for the correction of some of the ISCI's stated positions may have an impact on the future of the council, its relationship with its allies and the future of some of its traditional leaders.
It is difficult to look at all these events separately. It is also hard to separate them from the covert attacks escalating as the elections draw nearer. It is also difficult to ignore the repercussions of these and other events on the future of the Iraqi political process and the prospects of its leading figures.
The race for the Iraqi premiership is also heating up and the contest is not isolated from neighbouring countries' interference.
Al Maliki has been under tremendous internal and external pressure to return with his party to the new national coalition and their remaining outside this bloc threatens the aspirations of those who are plotting to dominate the Iraqi political scene through sectarian rather than national alliances.
The motives that make Al Maliki stay out of this coalition are not beyond question either. He is keen to keep communication lines open with the national coalition to strengthen his chances of remaining the premier.
Moreover, the Kurdish coalition which is a close ally of the Iraqi National Coalition is cross with Al Maliki because of the grave disagreements between Baghdad and Erbil over the Kurdish regional authorities' say in the oil sector, the future of Kirkuk and the disputed areas.
Iraqis are also highly sceptical about the abilities of other candidates. They have lost interest in the usefulness of the political process. This is manifested in the fact that people are refraining from updating their registration records, an issue which the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq pointed out recently.
Dr Mohammad Akef Jamal is an Iraqi writer based in Dubai.
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