Iraqi party: Africa loans date to Saddam era, not Sudani government

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Construction and Development Party said on Wednesday that loans the country extended to African states originated during Saddam Hussein's era and were not issued by the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani. The party said the credit lines were inherited from previous governments and that no new loans had been allocated under the current administration. The statement was issued in response to public discussion over Iraq's lending to African countries, which the party said had created a misleading impression about the current government's responsibility in the matter. It pointed to the historical background of the credit lines without elaborating on their value, terms or outstanding balances. Iraq's financial ties with African states have drawn periodic attention in Iraqi media, with critics questioning the management and repayment of credit facilities extended decades ago. The party did not address those broader concerns in its statement. No further details on the loans or the government's position were immediately available.