Corruption in Iraq

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Corruption is pervasive at all levels of government in Iraq. In 2021, President Barham Salih said that $150 billion of oil money had been smuggled out of Iraq in corrupt deals since the 2003 invasion.[1]

From 2003 to 2018, Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index has ranked Iraq on average as 162 out of 180 countries. Starting at a record low of 113 in 2003, Iraq reached an all-time high of 178 in 2007, then came down slightly.[2][3][4]

Dynamics[]

Political parties and public servants are considered corrupt, and petty corruption is highly institutionalized in Iraqi society.[5]

Corruption is considered an obstacle for doing business in Iraq, and red tape and inefficiency continue to persist. Government contracting is an area reported to be affected by high-levels of illicit activity, and public contracts are often awarded to companies connected to political leaders. Investors may come under pressure to take on well-connected local partners to avoid bureaucratic hurdles.[6]

Corruption in Iraq is endemic, systemic, and the main threat to Iraq's stability after the defeat of ISIS.[7]

In an al-Jazeera investigation, residents of Harthiya, a neighborhood in Baghdad alleged severe corruption in the construction sector. The neighborhood has experienced a construction boom since the 2003 invasion. Despite the many construction infractions, only a fraction of the revenue from government fines reaches the state treasury. Iraqi civil servants go around the neighborhood to inspect construction sites. When they spot wrongdoings, such as an extra floor in a building, an agreement is struck with the developer. The public official takes a bribe and in return, the state employee reduces the fine. The contractor pays the ticket and continues the project. Even if the builder pays in full, the fines are too small to deter construction companies when compared to the lucrative construction sector.[8]

Protests and political impacts[]

Iraqi dissatisfaction with corruption boiled over with large protests in 2018, and again in 2019 as part of ongoing protests, of which corruption in Iraq is one of the main causes, among several.[9]

Corruption in Iraq and subsequent ongoing protests of 2018 and 2019 resulted in then resignation of Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi on November 30, 2019.[10]He was replaced by Mustafa Al-Kadhimi in May of 2020.

A 2013 survey by Transparency International indicated that a majority of Iraqis were dissatisfied with the government's efforts in fighting corruption.[11] In 2019, over 80% of Iraqis were concerned about worsening corruption at the highest levels of government.[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Tawfeeq, Mohammed (23 May 2021). "Iraq estimates that $150 billion of its oil money has been stolen from the country since the US-led invasion of 2003". CNN. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  2. ^ "Corruption Perception Index 2017".
  3. ^ e.V, Transparency International. "Corruption Perceptions Index 2018". www.transparency.org. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  4. ^ "Transparency International - Iraq". www.transparency.org. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  5. ^ "Global Corruption Barometer 2013". Transparency International. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Iraq Country Profile". Business Anti-Corruption Portal. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Corruption Continues to Destabilize Iraq". Chatham House. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  8. ^ "Iraq: The changing face of Baghdad's historic neighbourhoods". Al Jazeera. September 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "Protesters block roads to Iraqi port, demand end to foreign meddling". Reuters. 2019-11-03. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  10. ^ Rubin, Alissa J.; Hassan, Falih (2019-11-30). "Iraqi Prime Minister Resigns in Deepening Political Crisis". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  11. ^ "Global Corruption Barometer 2013". Transparency International. Retrieved 25 February 2014.

External links[]

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