Sweden to end Iraq aid program

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Swedish government announced on Thursday that it will end its development aid to Iraq, citing improved conditions in the country.

"Conditions have changed and Iraq is now a middle-income country with adequate resources to look after its own population," said Johan Forssell, Sweden’s international development minister. 

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) have been directed to start a phase-out process, aiming to conclude their operations by June 30 of next year.

Sida focused on poverty reduction, human rights, gender equality, and adaptation to climate change. It also supported mine clearing efforts. FBA’s focus was on training Iraqi youth in the areas of dialogue and mediation as part of post-Islamic State (ISIS) reconciliation between groups.

Forssell said winding down these programs would allow Sweden to expand its relationship with Iraq through cooperation in areas such as trade, the environment, and migration.

There have been recent tensions in diplomatic relations between Iraq and Sweden after Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee living in Sweden, set the Islamic holy book alight twice last year, first outside a mosque in Stockholm. Both times, Momika received permission from Swedish authorities to carry out what he labeled as a protest, with Sweden saying it was in line with freedom of expression. 

Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador and recalled its charge d’affaires from Stockholm after authorities gave the green light for the burning of the Quran and the Iraqi flag outside Baghdad’s embassy in Sweden. 

In Baghdad, protestors linked to Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr set fire to the Swedish embassy. Sweden condemned the burning of its embassy as “completely unacceptable.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani warned Sweden that Baghdad would sever diplomatic relations with Stockholm if it allowed another Quran burning protest.