Abdul Latif Rashid

Abdul Latif Rashid is an Iraqi Kurdish politician and engineer who has served as the President of Iraq since October 2022. A veteran figure in Kurdish and national politics, he was elected by the Iraqi Council of Representatives following a protracted political stalemate. His career spans decades, including a long tenure as Minister of Water Resources and leadership roles within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

Early life and education

Abdul Latif Rashid was born on 10 August 1944 in the city of Sulaymaniyah, then part of the Kingdom of Iraq. He pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Manchester in the 1960s. He furthered his academic qualifications with a master's degree and later a doctorate in engineering from the University of Liverpool. His early professional work included roles with the Thames Water Authority and contributions to water management projects in Sudan and Sri Lanka before returning to Iraq.

Political career

Rashid's political engagement began through his involvement with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) during the 1975 era, but he later became a founding member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan alongside Jalal Talabani. He served as a representative of the Kurdistan region in diplomatic talks and international forums throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Rashid was appointed as the Minister of Water Resources in the Iraqi Interim Government led by Iyad Allawi, a position he held continuously through successive administrations under Nouri al-Maliki, Haider al-Abadi, and Mustafa Al-Kadhimi until 2022. In this role, he addressed critical issues concerning the Tigris–Euphrates river system, transboundary water disputes with Turkey and Iran, and the impacts of climate change in Iraq.

Presidency

Abdul Latif Rashid was elected as the President of Iraq on 13 October 2022, succeeding Barham Salih after two rounds of voting in the Council of Representatives. His election followed a year of political deadlock after the 2021 parliamentary elections and intense negotiations among the Coordination Framework and KDP-PUK blocs. Upon taking office, he tasked Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani with forming a new government, ending a prolonged period of caretaker administration under Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. His presidency has focused on upholding the Constitution of Iraq, mediating among Iraq's fractious political factions, and advocating for federalism and the rights of the Kurdish population within the Iraqi state.

Personal life

Abdul Latif Rashid is married to Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, a former Minister of Education in the Kurdistan Regional Government and the daughter of Ibrahim Ahmed, a seminal figure in the Kurdish nationalist movement. The couple has three children. Fluent in Kurdish, Arabic, and English, Rashid is known for his low-profile, technocratic demeanor. His family has deep roots in the political and intellectual history of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Abdul Latif Rashid has been recognized for his public service and technical expertise. He has received several state honors from the Government of Iraq for his long service in cabinet positions. His contributions to water resource management and engineering have been acknowledged by professional institutions in Iraq and the wider Middle East region. In 2023, he was a distinguished guest at the Arab League summit in Jeddah and the COP28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates.

Category:Presidents of Iraq Category:Patriotic Union of Kurdistan politicians Category:1944 births Category:Living people