Iraq – Enraged by Iran-backed parties choice for Prime Minister, demonstrators flood Green Zone

Location: Baghdad – Iraq

Language: Arabic

Duration: 00:04:21

Source: A24 in Baghdad

Restrictions: A24 subscribers

Date: 27/07/2022

Storyline:

Hundreds of Iraqis protested Wednesday against the nomination of Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani for Prime Minister.

A leader of the Islamic Dawa Party, Al-Sudani is a former minister and governor of the southern Maysan Province and emerged as the pro-Iran Coordination Framework’s pick for premier only after ten months of political haggling.

Protesters raised Iraqi flags, and chanted slogans condemning the decision to nominate an undistinguished tribal leader  for a national executive  position.

Later  demonstrators – many of them supporters of rival Shia politician Moqtada Al Sadr-forced their way into the parliament building inside Green Zone

Muqtada Al-Sadr himself has not made a statement yet on his position regarding the nomination.

Al-Sudani served previously as minister of human rights from 2010 to 2014, and as minister of labor and social affairs from 2014 to 2018. He was also acting minister for the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Finance, and minister for the Ministry of Migration and Displaced, and Ministry of Agriculture.

Demonstrators  told A24 that they reject Al-Sudani and claim he is one of several corrupt officials too closely tied to former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki, who was Iraq’s leader when a third of the country was seized by ISIS in 2014.

Shotlist:

 – Soundbite (Protester near the Green Zone):

“They are all corrupt officials who have done nothing good for the country. It’s been 18 years and we have not seen any improvements, all talk and no action. We want an honest government that works in the best interest of the country.”

– Soundbite (Protester):

“Our demands during today’s protest are for the government to resolve the youth unemployment issue and dismiss corrupt officials.”

 – Soundbite (Protester):

“Our demands are for the government to provide water, electricity and decent living conditions. We have only received empty promises from 2003 until now. None of our demands have been met and the people are angry. We want to be rid of the political parties.”

– Soundbite (Protester):

“The coordination framework violated conditions and nominated a person who the public is opposed to. So we took to the streets in protest demanding Al-Sudani not be nominated for Prime Minister, because it’s against the will of Iraqis.”

 – Soundbite (Protester):

“Our main demand involves the dissolution of the Federal Court, and the so-called Judicial Council, as well as the prosecution of Faeq Zaidan. The Judicial Council was exercising control over Iraq and its people, manipulating votes and ignoring the public’s will. The people have lost faith in the political process that was undermined by the Federal Court.”