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A Policy Debate with the Governor of Nineveh on Sinjar

Sinjar: Reconstruction, Recovery and Return of the Displaced

  • Abdulqadir Al-Dakhil, Governor of Nineveh
  • Khogir Wirya, Senior Research Fellow, MERI (Discussant)

In his introduction, Khogir Wirya reminded the audience that this panel as part of a project that MERI started the previous year. It involved in-depth analysis of the existing literature published on Sinjar, followed by extensive field work in the form of conducting a survey, interviews and focus group discussions among Sinjaris living in the district or in displacement. He referred to the more than 70 key informant interviews conducted in Baghdad, the Kurdistan Region and Nineveh province, and ten closed meetings with Sinjaris of all ethno-religious affiliations.  He also mentioned that MERI had conducted dialogue within and between communities to better understand social dynamics in the district. Wirya stressed that many interesting results were obtained, but mentioned two by way of example. First, according to most participants, the State (government)’s presence in Sinjar is very weak in the district, and the level of services remains poor. Second, this absence of the government has led to the politicization of issues, including the process of reconstruction of Sinjar and the return of IDPs.

With this backdrop, further discussion focused on the structural, administrative, and social complexities in addressing recovery and stability in Sinjar.

Fragmented Governance and Political Challenges

Governor Al-Dakhil acknowledged the long-standing governance challenges besetting Sinjar, pointing to a weak state presence and a fragmented local political landscape at the Nineveh Provincial Council. This void and fragmentation have exacerbated the politicization of Sinjar’s reconstruction and the plight of its peoples. Al-Dakhil noted that political parties often use Sinjar’s suffering as a tool for their own agendas, delaying meaningful action. He emphasized the need for a robust and unified administrative structure to restore stability, while cautioning that the region’s political complexities require careful consensus-building among stakeholders. The governor identified the proliferation of political blocs as a significant obstacle to effective governance. The multiplicity of interests within Nineveh’s provincial council has led to decision-making paralysis, particularly concerning Sinjar. He stressed the need for a roadmap based on consensus, aimed at stabilizing the entire Nineveh province through collaborative solutions.

Efforts Toward Reconstruction

Al-Dakhil outlined several processes aimed at addressing Sinjar’s massive reconstruction needs. He highlighted progress in property ownership, compensation claims, and health sector improvements. For instance, the restoration of Kojo village—symbolic of Yazidi suffering—was initiated with the support of USAID. Additionally, the construction of new hospitals and the development of a clean water project to bring water from the Mosul Dam reflect efforts to provide essential services.

However, Al-Dakhil conceded that these initiatives, while significant, are insufficient given the scale of the devastation. He emphasized the importance of establishing a dedicated budget for Sinjar, noting that 40% of the allocated 150 billion dinars for the district is an initial but inadequate step. He urged further international engagement to support these efforts. Large parts of Sinjar still remain in ruins while a sizeable portion of its people is still in displacement, more than ten years into the crisis. While it is true that governmental funds have been dedicated to compensate for the damages and loss incurred during the war, many from Sinjar find it rather hard to file for compensation given the heavy bureaucracy that comes with the application. As a result, many have not received their compensation.

Education, Employment, Security and Social Cohesion

In the education sector, progress has been made in allocating teacher recruitment opportunities for Sinjar and refugee camps in Duhok. Yet, the governor acknowledged that the needs far exceed the available resources. He highlighted the importance of creating job opportunities for Yazidis to foster economic stability and reduce dependence on external aid. The deployment of Yazidi police in Sinjar, Sinuni, and al-Qahtaniya as part of the Sinjar Agreement was also mentioned as a step toward ensuring security and rebuilding trust in local governance.

Despite the deployment, the security situation in Sinjar remains precarious, complicated by the presence of the PKK, a banned organization by a government decision. The governor stressed the need for coordinated efforts by the Iraqi government, local authorities, and international stakeholders to address these security challenges. He called for the enforcement of the rule of law, particularly to bring perpetrators of the Yazidi genocide to justice, as a means of restoring confidence among survivors.

Social cohesion, or the lack thereof, emerged as a recurring theme. Al-Dakhil acknowledged the strained relations between Yazidis and other communities in Sinjar, exacerbated by the participation of some Yazidi neighbors within the Arab Muslim community in IS atrocities. He emphasized that the responsibility for identifying and holding these perpetrators accountable lies with the federal and local governments, not the Yazidis. He called for a process led by non-Yazidi communities to reveal those complicit in the genocide, facilitated by Iraqi courts and supported by international organizations. This has been a persistent demand of the Yazidi community, the fulfillment of which remains contested, with the Arab community asserting its fulfillment while the Yazidis maintain otherwise. Whatever the case, the Iraqi authorities must clarify. What is clear is that in light of this discrepancy, communal trust between the two communities remains tenuous and laden with fear and caution.

Rebuilding Trust and Assurances for Yazidis

A central concern raised by the governor was the lack of assurances for the Yazidi community regarding their safety and future. Despite ongoing reforms, he admitted that Yazidis have yet to receive tangible guarantees that their rights will be protected and that such atrocities will not recur. He stressed the need for a clear message from both the Iraqi government and the international community affirming their commitment to the Yazidis’ security, dignity, and reintegration.

Al-Dakhil’s closing remarks emphasized the importance of moving forward while addressing past mistakes. The deep wounds inflicted by the genocide should be acknowledged and urgent focus should be shed on rebuilding and healing. This should include attending to the need and grievances of the Arabs, Kurds and Shia who belong to Sinjar as well. The governor expressed hope that through a combination of judicial accountability, infrastructural development, and social reform, Sinjar could become a model of stability and resilience within Nineveh.

 

MERI Forum 2024

Sinjar: Reconstruction, Recovery and Return of the Displaced

 Panel 10B

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