Iraqi politics shuns sectarianism as violence ebbs

FACTBOX-Political alliances ahead of Iraq's 2010 election
31 Oct 2009 16:47:19 GMT
Source: Reuters
Oct 31 (Reuters) - Several alliances, many presenting themselves as nationalists who have rejected the sectarianism that pitted Iraq's majority Shi'ites and once dominant Sunnis against each other, plan to compete in the parliamentary election in January [ID:nMUH136843].

While allegiances are fluid and may yet shift again, here is a list of what appear to be the likely major coalitions and alliances that will contest the Jan. 16 poll.

STATE OF LAW

* Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has created a broad-based alliance of his Dawa party and other groups including some Sunni tribal leaders, Shi'ite Kurds, Christians and independents. Dawa's roots are Islamist, but the coalition plans to run on a non-sectarian platform. It hopes that security gains under Maliki and promises to improve public services and ensure Iraq remains a strong, united state will win it seats. Maliki's allies were the main winners of 2009 provincial elections fought on the same platform.

IRAQI NATIONAL ALLIANCE

* The Shi'ite alliance bringing together the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (ISCI), followers of anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, Basra-based Fadhila, a few Sunni leaders, former prime minister Ibrahim Jaafari, Ahmed Chalabi -- a former exile who played a key role before the 2003 U.S. invasion -- and some smaller groups is the main rival to Maliki's coalition. ISCI and the Sadrists have lost ground since holding sway over the Shi'ite electorate only a few years ago. Some observers say the group may split after the vote, which will be run on an anti-Maliki stance, because of disagreements between ISCI and the Sadrists.

KURDS

* The Kurdish coalition is dominated by the two parties administering Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region. The Kurdish Democratic Party led by the region's president, Masoud Barzani, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan headed by Iraq's national president, Jalal Talabani, are both secular in nature and enjoy close ties with the West. The two parties faced a major challenge in Kurdistan's parliamentary vote this year from the Change bloc, which won about a quarter of the seats.

TRIBAL LEADERS

* Tribal leaders will play an important role in the election and are being courted by major parties looking to boost their national vote. Some of Iraq's Sunni tribal leaders sprang to prominence when U.S. forces began backing local sheikhs against al Qaeda in western provinces. Their ranks are riven by dissent and they have been unable to form a united front.

TAWAFUQ

* Since the 2005 national elections al-Tawafuq, or the Sunni-based Iraqi Accordance Front, has seen many splits and divisions, and now consists of the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP) and some tribal leaders. The IIP was the only major Sunni bloc to participate in the 2005 election. The group, which includes the speaker of parliament, is unlikely to gain the same number of seats due to divisions within the Sunni electorate.

IRAQIYA

* Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shi'ite, has joined up with senior Sunni politician Saleh al-Mutlaq to run on a non-sectarian platform. The alliance is campaigning on a theme of national unity and may yet end up also including Iraqi Vice President Tarek al-Hashemi.

IRAQ'S UNITY

* Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani, Ahmed Abu Risha, a top leader of anti-al Qaeda tribal sheikhs, and Ahmed Abdul Ghafour al-Samarrai of the Sunni Endowment have also formed a group.

MINORITY PARTIES

* Iraq's minority Turkmen, Christians, Yazidis, Sabeans, Assyrians, Shabak, Faili Kurds and others are likely to ally with a bigger party in areas where they are not dominant.

(For a main story pls click on [NL:nMUH136843]

(Reporting by Baghdad Bureau; writing by Jack Kimball; editing by Michael Christie)


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Iraqi politics shuns sectarianism as violence ebbs
31 Oct 2009 16:37:29 GMT
Source: Reuters
* Politicians emphasize national unity over sect

* Decision to avoid sectarian bloc may backfire on Sunnis

By Muhanad Mohammed

BAGHDAD, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Iraq's upcoming election may mark a departure from the sectarianism that plunged the country into civil war as Shi'ite and Sunni politicians join forces and emphasise nationalism and unity. Iraqis have grown tired of the bloodshed between once dominant Sunnis and majority Shi'ites that erupted after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion toppled Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein and propelled the once oppressed Shi'ites into power, analysts say.

The latest example of a trend that appears likely to be a central theme of the election due on Jan. 16 occurred this week as former prime minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shi'ite, and Saleh al-Mutlaq, an independent Sunni, created an alliance.

"There are two trends -- the sectarian and divisive current, and a current of national unity. We are the current of national unity," Mutlaq said on Saturday at a chaotic news conference in a Baghdad country club.

While analysts caution that the politicians' anti-sectarian rhetoric might not be reflected in their convictions, the glimmer of national unity has given many Iraqis hope.

Overall violence has plunged in the past 18 months, but major attacks by suspected Sunni Islamist al Qaeda or adherents of Saddam's outlawed Baath party remain stubbornly common.

Last Sunday two suicide bombers detonated buses loaded with explosives outside the justice ministry and Baghdad governorate building, killing 155 people. On Aug. 19, suicide bombers in trucks rocked the foreign and finance ministries, killing 95.

The January election will be a milestone as Iraq emerges from chaos. It will determine who runs Iraq as U.S. forces draw down ahead of a full withdrawal by 2012 and who presides over multi-billion dollar deals with global oil firms. Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, seeking re-election by claiming credit for improved security, began the shift from overt sectarianism in provincial elections early this year.

His Dawa party and its allies, calling for a strong unified state and promising to deliver services, not strife, pummelled rivals across the Shi'ite south.

While many Sunnis doubt Maliki's desire for reconciliation and his government's independence from Shi'ite Iran, rivals appear to be copying the prime minister's nationalist stance.

"The sectarian fronts, whether Shi'ite or Sunni, are being rejected by Iraqis because they represent an era Iraqis are so keen to change," said Haider al-Mula, a member of the party formed by Allawi and Mutlaq.

COALITION WITH SUNNI LEADERS

Put in power by the major Shi'ite political forces in Iraq, the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (ISCI) and followers of anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, Maliki is running in January in coalition with some Sunni tribal leaders.

Another alliance running in the January election was formed recently by prominent anti-al Qaeda Sunni tribal sheikh Ahmed Abu Risha and Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani, a Shi'ite.

Sceptics suspect the changes are only skin-deep.

"Current members of parliament enjoying so many privileges are looking for ways to get a foot in the door of the new parliament. They'll jump on any boat that ensures they continue to have those privileges," said political analyst Ali al-Nashmy.

The formation of new alliances is also a reflection of the rupturing of Sunni political groups, and there are fears their decision not to stand as a sectarian bloc may backfire on Sunnis if they find they are underrepresented in parliament.

A Sunni boycott of the 2005 elections led many to feel resentment at their disenfranchisement, fuelling the insurgency.