Former Iraqi PM Al-Maliki: A Politically Influential Figure Despite a Troubled Past
Al-Maliki, the influential former Prime Minister of Iraq, remains a significant player in the country's politics despite his controversial tenure.
BAGHDAD: Former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki is a prominent figure in Iraqi politics, despite being criticized for fueling sectarian strife and failing to prevent Daesh from capturing large territories during his time in office.
As the leader of the influential State of Law coalition, Al-Maliki has enough influence to potentially decide Iraq's next prime minister after the parliamentary election on November 11.
Al-Maliki was pressured to resign in 2014 due to widespread criticism from the US, Iran, Sunni leaders, and prominent Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
During his tenure, he faced accusations of fostering sectarian divisions between majority Shiites and minority Sunnis.
His government's failure to address issues such as unemployment, poor public services, and corruption exacerbated these tensions.
Despite this criticism, Al-Maliki staged a comeback in the following years by building influence through ties with armed militias, security forces, and the judiciary.
His political roots date back decades, shaped by his opposition to Saddam Hussein's regime and his subsequent exile in Syria and Iran.
Upon returning to Iraq after Saddam's fall, Al-Maliki signed the order for his execution.
Al-Maliki has been blamed for not cracking down on Shiite militias and focusing instead on asserting authority over Sunni provinces like Anbar in western Iraq.
He denies having a sectarian outlook, stating that he fought against both Sunni and Shiite militias alike.
Critics argue that Maliki's policies alienated the Sunni population, contributing to their support of Daesh.
Maliki served as Prime Minister from 2006-2014, during which time his government faced accusations of marginalizing Sunnis and undermining democracy.
His commitment to democracy was questioned when he demanded the arrest of a Sunni vice president shortly after US troops withdrew in 2011.
Maliki left office reluctantly in 2014 due to the security forces' inability to stop Daesh's territorial gains.
In 2015, an Iraqi parliamentary panel called for Al-Maliki and several other top officials to stand trial over the fall of Mosul to Daesh.
Born in 1950 into a politically engaged family from Janaja, a southern village on the Euphrates, Maliki was briefly arrested in 1979 before fleeing Iraq.
He returned home only after the 2003 invasion.
Initially seen as a compromise candidate for leading the coalition government in 2006, Al-Maliki faced criticism for his apparent sectarianism and failure to deliver services to Sunni areas.
A leaked US government memo raised concerns about Maliki's governance, citing problems such as the removal of effective commanders on a sectarian basis.
Maliki's journey is marked by his early activism against Iraq's British occupiers, his escape from arrest in 1979, and the seizure of his family's land along with the killing of dozens of relatives over the following decade.
Despite the controversies surrounding his tenure as Prime Minister, Al-Maliki remains a significant figure in Iraqi politics.
As the leader of the influential State of Law coalition, Al-Maliki has enough influence to potentially decide Iraq's next prime minister after the parliamentary election on November 11.
Al-Maliki was pressured to resign in 2014 due to widespread criticism from the US, Iran, Sunni leaders, and prominent Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
During his tenure, he faced accusations of fostering sectarian divisions between majority Shiites and minority Sunnis.
His government's failure to address issues such as unemployment, poor public services, and corruption exacerbated these tensions.
Despite this criticism, Al-Maliki staged a comeback in the following years by building influence through ties with armed militias, security forces, and the judiciary.
His political roots date back decades, shaped by his opposition to Saddam Hussein's regime and his subsequent exile in Syria and Iran.
Upon returning to Iraq after Saddam's fall, Al-Maliki signed the order for his execution.
Al-Maliki has been blamed for not cracking down on Shiite militias and focusing instead on asserting authority over Sunni provinces like Anbar in western Iraq.
He denies having a sectarian outlook, stating that he fought against both Sunni and Shiite militias alike.
Critics argue that Maliki's policies alienated the Sunni population, contributing to their support of Daesh.
Maliki served as Prime Minister from 2006-2014, during which time his government faced accusations of marginalizing Sunnis and undermining democracy.
His commitment to democracy was questioned when he demanded the arrest of a Sunni vice president shortly after US troops withdrew in 2011.
Maliki left office reluctantly in 2014 due to the security forces' inability to stop Daesh's territorial gains.
In 2015, an Iraqi parliamentary panel called for Al-Maliki and several other top officials to stand trial over the fall of Mosul to Daesh.
Born in 1950 into a politically engaged family from Janaja, a southern village on the Euphrates, Maliki was briefly arrested in 1979 before fleeing Iraq.
He returned home only after the 2003 invasion.
Initially seen as a compromise candidate for leading the coalition government in 2006, Al-Maliki faced criticism for his apparent sectarianism and failure to deliver services to Sunni areas.
A leaked US government memo raised concerns about Maliki's governance, citing problems such as the removal of effective commanders on a sectarian basis.
Maliki's journey is marked by his early activism against Iraq's British occupiers, his escape from arrest in 1979, and the seizure of his family's land along with the killing of dozens of relatives over the following decade.
Despite the controversies surrounding his tenure as Prime Minister, Al-Maliki remains a significant figure in Iraqi politics.
