Sadr: No Dialogue with the Corrupt, Expect our Next Move

Sadr's supporters protest outside the Iraqi parliament (Getty Images)
Sadr's supporters protest outside the Iraqi parliament (Getty Images)
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Sadr: No Dialogue with the Corrupt, Expect our Next Move

Sadr's supporters protest outside the Iraqi parliament (Getty Images)
Sadr's supporters protest outside the Iraqi parliament (Getty Images)

The leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr, has said he would not hold talks with the corrupt, adding that he is preparing for the next move.

Tensions in Iraq have escalated over the inability of political factions to agree on the formation of a government, 10 months after parliamentary elections.

Some of Sadr’s followers stormed the parliament late last month and began a sit-in, first inside the building and then on its grounds where thousands remain.

Sadr submitted a proposal to the UN to hold a public live-streamed dialogue session with the political parties. However, he said there was no tangible response.

"Their answer did not address anything about reform, the protesters' demands, people's suffering. [..] We ask everyone to wait for our next move regarding the policy of ignoring what has happened to Iraq and its people due to corruption."

Sadr indicated that there would be no secret dialogue, asserting: "I do not hide anything from my people, and I will not associate with the corrupt and those who want to kill me."

Observers saw his statement about who wanted to harm or kill him as an expression of the severe tension among Shiite parties, divided between Sadr's movement and the Coordination Framework.

Sadr activists assert that they are ordered to maintain self-restraint and continue their protests in Baghdad and other cities.

The Sadrist movement did not attend the dialogue session called by caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi. The talks aimed to find a solution for the ongoing political crisis.

The meeting was attended by President Barham Salih, Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi, the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Baeq Zeidan, UN special representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and other political leaders.

Politicians both inside and outside Iraq have called for calm and dialogue between the parties as the only way to resolve the crisis amid fears that the country would slip into chaos.

The Coordination Framework insists on forming a "majority" transitional government headed by its candidate, Mohammad Shia al-Sudani, before holding new elections, while the Sadrist movement insists on dissolving parliament and holding early polls.



France Says Unaware of Algerian Trade Curbs as Tensions Build

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
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France Says Unaware of Algerian Trade Curbs as Tensions Build

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

France said on Thursday that it was not aware of any official measures imposed by Algeria on its imports and exports, but would keep a close eye on the situation as diplomatic sources suggested Algiers may be preparing trade restrictions.
Ties between Paris and Algiers have worsened in recent weeks since France recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, which Morocco wants the international community to recognize as Moroccan, Reuters said.
The decision angered Algiers, which backs the Polisario Front that is seeking an independent state.
"We have not been made aware of such measures, but we are closely watching the situation for our companies in Algeria," France's foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine told reporters at a weekly news conference.
The office of Algerian Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui issued a statement denying the contents of a post on X by France's former ambassador Xavier Driencourt which shows a screenshot of a document that appears to outline restrictions on imports and exports. Reuters was not able to authenticate the document and Driencourt did not respond to a request for comment.
"Following the false allegations promoted by the former French ambassador to Algeria ... regarding the alleged restrictive measures on foreign trade, the press office of the Prime Minister would like to categorically deny this information which is completely unfounded," it said in a statement.
According to three diplomats, there has been a concerted effort in recent months by Algeria to toughen the business environment for French firms, including wheat exporters.
The diplomats said there had been some signals in recent days that Algiers may look to specifically target French imports and exports, although there had been no official confirmation at this stage.
Algerian officials did not respond to Reuters' requests for comments.
BANKING SPAT
In 2022, Algeria's banking association ordered the end of payments to and from Spain after an official trade ministry directive, although it exempted key gas exports.
That rift, which has since calmed, was also over Madrid's stance on Western Sahara.
French daily newspaper Le Figaro newspaper reported on Thursday that the banking association in the North African country had met banks on Nov 4. and informed them of a potential measure.
Two diplomats told Reuters they were aware of that meeting, but cautioned that the association could not take such a decision unilaterally.
Several French companies operating in Algeria contacted by Reuters said they had not received any new directives and French officials said at this stage no companies had approached them with any specific difficulties.
Grain traders have reported that Algeria overlooked France in wheat tenders last month due to the diplomatic tensions, though Algerian state grains agency OAIC said it treated all suppliers fairly and applied technical requirements to cover its import needs.
The reported trade obstacles echo a diplomatic dispute three years ago that led to France being sidelined from its former colony's wheat tenders for months. Trade between the two countries grew more than 5% in 2023 with hydrocarbon exports from Algeria to France increasing about 15%, although imports to Algeria from France dropped 0.5%, according to the French finance ministry.