ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Monday warned of “distressed voices” trying to sow sedition in the country, in a visit to the southeastern Maysan province and meeting with tribal leaders and members of the community.

Sudani arrived in Maysan early Monday morning, joining Muslims for Eid al-Fitr prayer and later welcoming locals in his house in the province on occasion of the Islamic holiday. The Iraqi premier then visited the guesthouse of Sheikh Hatem Saadoun al-Sayhoud, leader of the Sudan clan, in al-Bahatha district, exchanging Eid greetings and delivering a speech.

“As you can see, for the first time I am wearing the Arab tribal outfit. This is a confirmation of my belonging to this environment and social component, of which I am proud and honored to be a part,” said Sudani.

The Iraqi prime minister lauded the significant role tribes have played during trying times ever since the formation of the Iraqi state, calling them “an essential component” of the country.

He then highlighted a number of service projects that have been recently launched in Maysan, which he said would create “thousands of jobs” for the youth of the province.

“During this period, and with the ongoing developments, we have noticed that some voices have begun to emerge: Voices of sedition. Distressed voices calling for a kind of hatred, inciting violence, and leading Iraq into the unknown. These distressed discourses have not served Iraq well for two decades,” said Sudani.

The Iraqi premier’s remarks come as dozens of tribes from central and southern Iraq have announced their intention to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections in support of a recent call from influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who urged his followers not to participate in the process on account of ongoing “corruption” in the country.

Sudani warned all Iraqi citizens take heed of these voices that “do not seek stability for Iraq; rather, they are hysterical, given that Iraq is stable, growing, and has an active presence in the region and the world.”

Sadr, who has been out of the Iraqi political scene since August 2022, on Thursday announced that he would not be taking part in a “limping” electoral process, and called on his followers not to vote or run for office.

“We are fully confident that the Iraqi people are highly aware enough to distinguish between the discourses that have brought nothing but war, conflict, corruption, and destruction, and the logic of state-building,” said Sudani on Monday.

“State-building has been greatly delayed. We have not invested in our potential, opportunities, and natural and human resources due to these policies and false visions. It is time for society to separate itself and confront these flawed paths with full awareness.”

Iraq is set to hold parliamentary elections later this year, but no specific date has yet to be announced for the vote.

Sadr, whose movement emerged as the main victor from the 2021 Iraqi parliamentary elections after gaining 73 seats, ordered all his MPs to resign from the legislature in June 2022 after his attempts to form the next government were repeatedly blocked, mainly by the Coordination Framework.

He announced his “definitive” retirement from politics in August 2022, after clashes between his supporters and those of the Coordination Framework in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone left at least 23 killed and 380 others wounded.