No time to settle scores in Iraq

With ISIL an ever-present threat, the Iraqi leadership must focus on unity not division

Last week, Iraq’s parliament overwhelmingly approved far- reaching changes to the country’s political system as part of prime minister Haider Al Abadi’s initiative to tackle the country’s rampant corruption. This is an important step in the right direction that has been embraced by the majority of Iraqis, but applying the reforms might divert Baghdad’s attention away from national unity. To avoid this becoming a reality, Mr Al Abadi must continue his fight against corruption carefully and avoid the impulse to settle old political scores.

While the reforms constitute the most significant changes to the country’s political system since the 2003 invasion, recent events suggest that they may be part of a larger scheme to settle vendettas. Mr Al Abadi has already proposed abolishing the positions of the two vice-presidents and three deputy prime ministers. Moreover, the three deputy prime ministers are divided among the Sunni, Shia and Kurdish communities. Targeting these positions appears to be Mr Al Abadi’s way of singling out one politician in particular – the former prime minister, and one of the country’s current vice presidents, Nouri Al Maliki.

Mr Al Maliki is now the subject of an official investigation into how Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul fell to ISIL militants last year. He may face criminal charges, along with dozens of other officials named in the parliamentary investigation into why the city was left defenceless by fleeing or non-existent Iraqi security forces. These allegations have their foundation in the endemic corruption of Mr Al Maliki’s tenure as prime minister, which was especially profound inside the ranks of Iraq’s security forces. The Iraqi army remains hampered by systemic problems and is barely able to contain ISIL’s advances despite training and assistance from the United States.

With ISIL attempting to extend its reach across Iraq, now is not the time to settle scores in Baghdad. Mr Al Abadi must protect his country from dangerous sectarianism while tackling corruption and fighting ISIL. It is a tall order that can only be realised by mastering the impulse to strike out against his political opponents.