US President Donald Trump has appointed entrepreneur Mark Savaya as the new special envoy to Iraq. Savaya, who grew up in Michigan, is of Iraqi descent, according to the Rudaw Media Network in the Kurdistan Region.
“Essam Satam is Savaya’s uncle who sponsored him when he was around 16 years old to migrate to the US together with his family, fleeing violence,” Rudaw noted.
Savaya said he was deeply humbled, honored, and grateful to President Donald Trump for appointing him as special envoy to Iraq.
“I am committed to strengthening the US-Iraq partnership under President Trump’s leadership and guidance,” he said.
The Rudaw report noted that Savaya is a Chaldean Christian and “the founder of Leaf and Bud, a company specializing in the cultivation of marijuana for medical and recreational use.”
“I got to know Mark better last year, during Trump’s 2024 campaign,” Sam Yono, an American Chaldean politician based in Michigan, told Rudaw. “And we worked together. We attended many functions and rallies together."
“He was very supportive of Trump. He spent quite a bit of his finances, as well as his time, to make sure Trump would win,” Yono said.
Savaya’s appointment has been welcomed in Iraq. The president of the autonomous Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, wrote, “I welcome... Trump’s appointment of Mr. Mark Savaya as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq. This decision underscores the strategic importance of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in advancing our shared interests and regional stability.”
One person remarked regarding Savaya’s selection that they hoped he would work to strengthen ties with Iraq.
Another said he hoped that Savaya would strive to ensure that Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution was implemented and that he would improve relations with the Kurdistan Region. As for Article 140, it addresses several issues, including disputed areas between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.
'Honored that one of our own has been appointed'
Ano Abdoka, a Christian Iraqi politician who has played a key role in politics in the Kurdistan Region, wrote, “As a Christian from Kurdistan, Iraq, and Beth Nahrin, and as a proud Chaldean, I am deeply honored that today one of our own, Mr. Mark Savaya, has been appointed as the Special Envoy of the United States of America to the Republic of Iraq.”
Abdoka added that Savaya “hails from a distinguished Chaldean Telkifi family of the historic Nineveh Plains, a cradle of ancient Christian civilization.”
“Savaya is not only a successful businessman, but also a steadfast and early supporter of Trump,” Abdoka continued.
He went on to note, “On behalf of myself and the Christian Alliance in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, we extend our full support to Mr. Savaya as he undertakes this vital responsibility.”
“We stand ready to work closely with him to strengthen the bonds between the United States, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, in the spirit of partnership, mutual respect, and shared democratic values.”
Further, Abdoka said that he hoped that Savaya would work toward “protecting the rights of Iraq’s diverse communities, including Chaldeans, Assyrians, Syriacs, Armenians, Ezidies, Kakaye, Jews, Turkmen, and others whose presence and contributions form the rich mosaic of our homeland.”
According to Abdoka, there are currently illegal armed militias in the Nineveh Plains – a predominantly Christian area.
“Despite these challenges, I firmly believe that Savaya will play a pivotal role in advancing a vision to ‘Make Iraq Great Again’ by helping to restore true constitutional governance and to build relations based on the full and impartial implementation of the Iraqi Constitution, without selectivity or political manipulation, ensuring that all its articles are respected equally for the benefit of all citizens.”
Savaya’s appointment comes as the US has called on Iraq to disarm Iranian-backed militias. Iraq will also be holding elections in November. In addition, Baghdad and the city of Erbil have been working on budgetary issues and oil exports. Yet, the problems between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad remain unresolved.