Abadi says fight against corruption continues

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the continuation of reform plans in the government as well as holding accountable those who wasted public funds.

The Prime Minister gave a speech at the "Community Reconciliation and Social Cohesion Conference" in Baghdad on Saturday and stated, “We will continue our fight against corruption and fight those who support corrupt people because reforms should start from within.”

Abadi also called for all political parties to combat corruption and expose those accused of stealing the government’s money.

Commenting on political and societal reconciliation, Abadi stated that establishing a foundation for religious, social and political coexistence is imperative.

The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Salim al-Jibouri, who also spoke at the conference stressed the need to expedite these reform measures. "It is essential that we proceed with these ministerial reforms quickly…it should not be delayed [any] further, as it is a mass popular demand," he emphasized.

On Friday, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, answering a call from Shia cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who demanded immediate governmental reforms.

"Today the prime minister’s position is at stake, especially after the people have revolted," stated Sadr, whose al-Ahrar Bloc holds three ministerial positions in the cabinet and 34 seats in the Iraqi parliament.

A Kurdish MP in the Iraqi parliament, Khasro Goran, told K24 that Abadi’s mission for the cabinet reshuffle is not easy. “This time, the Shia blocs are not united among themselves; even Abadi’s party has different positions regarding the cabinet reshuffle,” Goran added.

“We [Kurds] support reforms but with the condition that they are not at [our] expense…if they mean to bring technocrats to the government, all political parties have technocrats,” Goran said.

On Feb. 15, in a broadcasted speech, PM Abadi called for a major reshuffle in the cabinet to include professionals, technocrats, and academics and asked the Council of Representatives and all political parties to cooperate in this regard.

Reporting by Baxtiyar Goran

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany and Benjamin Kweskin