Prime Minister of Iraq Speaks at UN this Week Here's What He's Up Against
When he addresses the U.N. General Assembly this week, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani hopes to convince the world that he can solve Iraq's problems.
His goal is to convince the world that he is the leader who can finally resolve Iraq's persistent corruption and political instability and make it a reliable partner for the region when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly this week in New York.
As the first Iraqi leader since the U.S. invasion in 2003 to spend his entire life within the country, he claims to be better able to understand what Iraqis have experienced.
The other prime ministers who succeeded Saddam Hussein spent years in exile or abroad, but Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, 53, never left Iraq even though Hussein executed his father and other relatives.
According to Mr. al-Sudani in a recent interview in Baghdad, "I am a product of the state institutions, and I understand the priorities of citizens." He says those from his background are closer to the people and understand that "the street wants a change." He described himself as part of the "second generation" of post-Hussein politicians.
In 20 years as a government official, Sudani has managed to win over Iraqis of almost all political stripes, coming across as straightforward and pragmatic.
Due to the challenges facing Iraq, he faces formidable obstacles. Global warming, Iran's persistent and growing influence, and an entrenched corruption system in a country where a high percentage of jobs are in the government, and applicants often have to pay bribes or have political connections even for low-paying jobs are among them.
The 2022 election that resulted in Mr. al-Sudani becoming prime minister cemented the power of a coalition of Shiite Muslim parties, several of whom are close to Iran and are affiliated with armed groups that are affiliated with the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. In 2022, a Shiite party with a nationalist identity, led by Muqtada al-Sadr, won the most votes but then had to leave the political arena.
It was ultimately Mr. al-Sudani who was chosen as president as he was acceptable to all sides, including Iraq's Sunni and Kurdish parties, though some of his Shiite supporters have turned critical since his election.
At the United Nations this week, Mr. al-Sudani seeks to unlock more European and American investment and strengthen efforts to build an infrastructure for natural gas production with Sunni Arab states. In the end, Iraq could become more self-sufficient in terms of energy and less dependent on Iran, which supplies about 35 to 40 percent of its energy requirements.
