Handover follows protests by outgoing governor's supporters
New Diyala Governor Adnan Al-Shammari takes office amid tensions
DIYALA – Adnan Al-Shammari officially assumed his responsibilities as Diyala’s new governor today in a “friendly” handover ceremony with outgoing governor Muthanna Al-Tamimi in Baqubah, Diyala’s provicnial capital. This transition follows a week of tensions and protests by Al-Tamimi’s supporters from his Bani Tamim tribe, who opposed the removal of the highest vote-getter in the governorate.
Al-Shammari was elected on August 1 in a tense session of the Diyala Provincial Council held in Baghdad due to the Bani Tamim tribe’s protests, breaking months of political deadlock. Eleven of the 15 council members attended the session, while Al-Tamimi and three members from his tribe boycotted it. Al-Shammari is affiliated with the Shia State of Law Coalition, while Al-Tamimi is with the Badr Organization. The session also saw Omar Al-Karawi from the Sunni Sovereignty Alliance elected as Provincial Council chairperson.
Al-Shammari received his decree as new governor from President Abdul Latif Rashid in Baghdad on Thursday before traveling to the Diyala Cassation Court to take his oath of office.
A security delegation from Baghdad visited Diyala on Thursday to convey a message from Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, urging Bani Tamim tribe members to maintain the governorate’s security and stability and postpone any planned protests until after the Shia Arbaeen pilgrimage on August 26.
Last Tuesday, supporters of former Governor Al-Tamimi, mainly from the Tamim tribe, closed several official offices in Muqdadiya district in protest against the appointment of a new governor from outside their tribe. Protesters hung banners stating, “Offices and institutions in Diyala are closed in the name of the oppressed people.”
Diyala elects new governor amid protests
