Nigeria-Iraq ties not satisfactory – Envoy

How would you access existing ties between Nigeria and Iraq?The Republic of Iraq re-opened its embassy in Abuja since 2007 and has been headed by a Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Ambassador since 2011. But unfortunately, Nigeria has not re-opened its embassy in Baghdad in spite of repeated promises from Nigerian officials. Therefore, the relationship between the […]

How would you access existing ties between Nigeria and Iraq?
The Republic of Iraq re-opened its embassy in Abuja since 2007 and has been headed by a Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Ambassador since 2011. But unfortunately, Nigeria has not re-opened its embassy in Baghdad in spite of repeated promises from Nigerian officials. Therefore, the relationship between the two countries is not that cordial to ambition level even as Iraq is serious about improving bilateral relations. In 2008 the Nigerian ambassador to Jordan was also appointed as non-resident ambassador to Iraq but he did not present his credentials to the Iraqi government despite the fact that he got the agreement. I have been liaising with the officials to ensure that Nigeria re-opens its embassy and have an ambassador in Iraq but all I am getting is ‘’we are working on it”. We really want to strengthen our relations with Nigeria and that can be possible if Nigeria has a representative in Iraq.
Despite that situation, are there areas that both countries are cooperating at the moment?
We have cooperation with Nigerian friends in almost all possible sectors. Particularly, in supporting the candidature of the two countries’ nominees to most UN organizations as well as OPEC and IOC, Iraq participated in the last ministerial conference of African/Asian Legal and Consultative organization (AALACO) held in Abuja through a delegate headed by the Minister of Justice of Iraq and several Iraqi delegations have participated at deferent levels in many conferences in Nigeria. Cooperation and consultation between Iraq and Nigeria is developing continuously.
Is there any trade relation between both countries?
There is a limited trade relation between the two countries. Particularly in the field of importation of  agricultural products. There are many Nigerian workers in several Iraqi government and non- governmental sectors and we hope there will be a Nigerian embassy or consulate in Baghdad in order to support and increase the level of trade exchange between the two countries, especially, in the field of handcraft and leather products. Presently, we get sesame from Nigeria. I want to say here that Iraq imports some of its vegetables, fruits and stones from Nigeria but we really need craft work especially the ones made with wood and leather. Traditional industries like furniture can be exported to Iraq from Nigeria. If there is an embassy in Iraq, some Iraqi business people can come to invest in Nigeria or liaise with Nigerians to buy them.
What is the Iraq government doing to ensure peace within the country considering the level of violence?
Since terrorism has became an international phenomenon, Iraq has suffered a lot and is still suffering terrorism like many other countries of the world, but due to the operations carried out by the army and police, the level of terrorism has been reduced significantly. Violence in Iraq is reduced to less than that of many other countries of the world.  But due to the conflict in Syria and its negative effects on Iraq, the level of violence has increased a little bit, yet the precaution of the military operation being carried out by the Iraqi armed forces has returned the security stability back where many of the  Iraqi territories became safe. Countries need to support one another. We have more than five Nigerian footballers playing in Iraq. If the level of violence in the country has not reduced, those players would not be in Iraq playing. The situation has really improved.
Recently, thousands of Syrians entered into Iraq as a result of the crisis in that country, what is the effect of this on your country?
More than 200,000 Syrian refugees reached Iraq due to the ongoing conflict and this number may increase, particularly with the planned American strike on Syria. These refugees may multiply and  the huge number of refugees may need humanitarian services such as shelter, food, healthcare, education…etc. The Iraqi government has prepared all the essential humanitarian needs for the Syrian refugees by building a camp for them near the border with Syria, we believe that the Syrian crisis must be solved as soon as possible because if it continues, it will lead to increase in the numbers of refugees and that will increase additional burden not only on Iraq but also on all neighbouring countries. Iraq with almost 35 million population may be affected by the Syrian crisis economically and security wise but it is minimal. We have to help the refugees because they are our neighbours.
What measures is Iraq taking to combat terrorism?
Yes, terrorism is an international phenomenon and therefore, we need to support one another globally to tackle it and Iraq has exploited all its abilities in order to combat terrorism and we are still pursuing it in all Iraqi territories through precaution operations to the extent that terrorism now  is not facing the government forces alone but also aimed at civilians and this indicates its failure and weakness.
With the recent entry of Syrians into our country, won’t that add to the existing terrorism challenge facing Iraq?
Terrorist is not like immigrants, terrorists are criminal groups of persons who violate the rule of law. So, we must fight them and stand against them while immigrants are those people who suffer the ordeals of conflicts, violence and operations of criminal killing. Therefore, Iraq received the Syrian immigrants and provides all the necessary amenities for their well being.
Middle East has been in crises for some times now, what can you say is responsible for it and how can the crises be resolved especially in the cases of Syria and Egypt?
In Syria there is military conflict between the government armed forces and the gunmen, as a neighbouring country to Iraq, the crisis taking place there affects the situation in Iraq directly. We believe that there is connection between some of the terrorists in both countries and this may affect the current situation in Iraq negatively.  On the other hand, what is happening in Egypt is another issue where there is no such violence as in Syria, but at the same time Egypt is not a neighbouring country to Iraq. Therefore, the Egyptian crisis may not affect the Iraqi current situation.
What is your stand on the planned US strike in Syria over the claim of the use of chemical weapons?
Iraqi position is clear since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, which is calling that it should be resolved politically not militarily, and we asked all the countries several times to stop weapon support to both parties. After the incidents and the use of chemical weapons which is prohibited internationally, Iraq has confirmed its previous position that rejected the use of all sort of weapons whether chemical or traditional or any other weapon. The technical investigation team of the UN on chemical weapons has directed and begun investigating the use of these prohibited weapons and to know which side used them to be prosecuted internationally. We are behind the continuation of the international team’s work and awaiting their reports. Concerning the proposed American military strike on Syria, the Iraqi government’s position is clear that we are against any military work in Syria, we are behind the political solution because military solution will complicate the crisis and increase the number of innocent civilian victims. There is an initiative containing eight items from the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mr. Nuori Al-Maliki, which may resolve the Syrian crisis politically and lead to conduct of transparent election under the supervision of the UN and we believe that it will be the reasonable solution politically and not militarily, knowing that the Iraqi government had explained its position that rejects the use of the Iraqi territories to attack Syria or any other neighbouring countries.
What do you think is US interest in the issue?
It is clear all over the world that the use of chemical weapons is prohibited internationally and should not be used in Syria or any other country. Regarding America, being a very important country in keeping international balance in the world it has presence in most countries of the world that have crises like Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and now Syria.  I believe the issue of Syrian crisis now is directed most likely to the political solution especially after the last Russian initiative that was welcomed by most countries of the world, Iraq also welcomes this initiative.
As the new Dean of Arab Ambassadors in Nigeria, what do you think is the way forward in solving the crises within the Arab World?
We believe that all must respect the people’s will, and what the election results and democratic transaction in the issue of transition of power. And this in its turn will lead to the best service for the people in accordance with the standard humanitarian measures which is mentioned by the religions, customs and international treaties. Human rights must be the goal in the policy of any country in order to achieve the best rights of citizens.
Kuwait will be hosting the Arab/African Summit in November, what should people look out for?
The Arab countries enjoyed strong relations among themselves from one hand and with the African continent on the other hand, and these relations are affected a lot due to the political changes. Therefore, it becomes important to convene such conferences in order to improve these relations in accordance with the new facts and also in accordance with the interest of Arab and African countries especially, after the changes that occurred in many of the Arab governments in the region, and the importance of this summit depends on the attendance of the Arab and African leaders.
Having been in Nigeria for some years, how can you describe the country?
Nigeria is the most important country in Africa, regarding its huge population, multiplicity of its economic resources, besides it is the largest oil exporter in Africa, this gives it additional importance. Also, Nigeria has multiple political democratic systems which similar to developed countries democratic systems in the world that keep it in stable political situation in order to build advanced relations with other countries.  I have distinct friendly relations with many Nigerians at both official and unofficial levels and I am pleased with these relations. I hope that the Nigerian government will be more serious in improving bilateral relations with Iraq.