Iraq needs reforms

Iraq is struggling with the worst and most bloody protests in its brief post-war history.  The upheaval against chronic unemployment, poor public services, and widespread corruption has resulted in innumerable deaths.  By all means, the ruling oligarchy is responsible for the chaos, deaths, and destruction in the country.  So far, the government has only put a lid on the events that have shaken much of Iraq.  There is a virtual blackout of the internet, and confirmation of protest casualties in the provinces is hard to get. And with no room for political opposition, it is not unusual to see chaotic scenes that are so common across much of the middle eastern nation.

Shortly after Saddam Hussein’s authoritarian rule ended in 2003, Iraq slowly spiralled into an extreme version of a civil war. Then came a wave of terrorism that swept the country and then the fear of ISIS. Over time, Iraq defeated, to a certain extent, each of these challenges. While the improved security is a positive change, the government never lived up to its promises beyond that.

Perhaps the recent stabilization of the security situation exposes the systemic failures of the Iraqi government more than ever before.

Where once the citizens were struggling with threats like terrorism, ISIS, and civil unrest, today much of the country feels betrayed by the failing administrative system in the country, that only serves the ruling elite and excludes the rest. Ordinary Iraqis feel disenfranchised by the lack of representation, economic opportunity, and functioning services in the country.

Although  Iraq has seen similar protests in the pasts, this wave differs in several ways.  This year’s mass protests are a product of the unresponsiveness of the government, and their complacency in the face of unrest.  The current episode of demonstrations is mostly spontaneous, and would not have turned into riots if the government had responded in time, instead of employing heavy-handed tactics to deal with the situation. Now, the only way out of this chaos is genuine political reform led by a new opposition force that believes in inclusion because exclusion has been a destructive force for Iraq and Iraqis.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2019.

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