Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani

Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani is an Iraqi politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Iraq since October 2022. A member of the Islamic Dawa Party, his political career spans roles in provincial governance and the federal cabinet, notably as Minister of Human Rights and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. His premiership follows the 2021 parliamentary elections and is backed by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shia political groups.

Early life and education

He was born in 1970 in the capital city of Baghdad and hails from the Al-Sudan tribe in southern Maysan Governorate. He pursued his higher education at the University of Baghdad, graduating with a degree in agricultural science. His early career was in the agricultural sector, but his life was profoundly affected by the rule of Saddam Hussein; his father and several brothers were executed by the Ba'athist regime, events that shaped his political trajectory and opposition activism.

Political career

Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the fall of the Hussein regime, he entered public service. He served as the Governor of his native Maysan Governorate from 2009 to 2010. His performance led to appointments in the federal government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, first as Minister of Human Rights and later as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. After leaving the cabinet, he was elected to the Council of Representatives of Iraq in the 2014 elections, representing Maysan Governorate. He remained a prominent figure within the Islamic Dawa Party and the broader Shia political bloc.

Prime Minister of Iraq

His path to the premiership began after the 2021 Iraqi parliamentary election, which resulted in a prolonged political deadlock. The largest bloc, led by Muqtada al-Sadr, failed to form a government, leading to the 2022 Iraqi political crisis. Following the resignation of al-Sadr's bloc from parliament, the rival Coordination Framework coalition nominated him as their candidate. He was formally tasked by President Abdul Latif Rashid to form a government, which won the confidence of the Council of Representatives of Iraq on 27 October 2022, succeeding Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. His cabinet program received support from major parties including the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Sovereign Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.

Policies and initiatives

His government's program, titled "Program of Service and Construction," has prioritized economic reform, combating corruption, and improving public services. Key legislative efforts have included passing a federal budget and a new hydrocarbon law aimed at regulating the oil sector. His administration has worked to balance relations with major powers, maintaining strategic dialogue with the United States within the framework of the Global Coalition while also fostering economic ties with Iran and Saudi Arabia. A major focus has been on infrastructure projects, electricity generation, and addressing the grievances of protesters from the 2019–2021 Iraqi protests.

Personal life

He is married and has children. He is known for his affiliation with the Islamic Dawa Party, one of the oldest Shia Islamist parties in Iraq, which also counts former Prime Ministers Nouri al-Maliki and Haider al-Abadi among its members. His personal history of family loss under the previous regime is a well-documented aspect of his biography and is frequently cited as a motivator for his public service.

Category:Prime Ministers of Iraq Category:Iraqi politicians