By Arian Mufid:
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) international profile is more important now than ever. However, with the recent changes to the personnel of the KRG’s consulates and foreign offices, it is notable that no key posts were assigned to members of the Gorran movement, even though this party is a part of the government and the second largest party in the Kurdistan parliament.
When Gorran participated in the 2013 parliamentary elections, the expectations were different to 2009 when it first burst onto the electoral scene as a new party. In 2013 Gorran pledged to get into the corridors of power and join the new KRG cabinet. The Gorran leadership did not plan to stay in opposition. Gorran won 24 seats, one down on 2009, but its vote was up and it clearly beat the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) which only managed 18 seats; and so Gorran became the second largest party in the south of Kurdistan. This changed the political landscape and the balance of power, straining the Strategic Agreement between the two parties that had previously monopolised power, the PUK and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The KDP swiftly hosted the Gorran leaders at their headquarters and there were six months of intensive negotiations leading to the formation of a new government under prime minister Nechirvan Barzani; but still the PUK got more seats in the cabinet than Gorran, along with other posts that should have gone to Gorrran, such as the Governor of Suli.
Gorran took control of two important ministries – Finance and Peshmarga – but it has failed to exert any significant influence over the direction of the government and has been humiliated over the foreign offices, when it should have received a share of those posts reflecting its votes and seats in parliament. More importantly, Gorran in office has been unable to deliver on any of its key election pledges such as tackling corruption and unifying the Peshmarga forces, currently controlled by the KDP and PUK, into a national army. Gorran leader Nawshirawn Mustafa is known as a pragmatic man but most of us don’t know what he’s really thinking: all he has been talking about for the past six or more years is ‘Change’, and yet fundamentally no change has occurred. It took Gorran five years to secure posts in government along with several other parties but, today, while the ministers and senior officials keep drawing their high salaries, ordinary government employees go unpaid for three months. Gorran needs to awaken from a deep sleep and get a grip on reality. It must ask itself why it has been given zero influence in the KRG’s foreign departments and for how much longer it can risk being held responsible for abandoning the hopes and aspirations of Gorran voters.
No repeating of a civil war or chaos will be tolerated from any Kurdish political party.
Split power and revenues. Every one is equally responsible. Obama: Mind your business.
Kurds: National unity.
The IS war is over.
Next is the liberation of all parts of Kurdistan.
Kurdish independence seriously contemplated.
Unity and independence of Kurdistan is being put on the back burner as KRG is busy going through a change state ,trying to change the political system of Kurdistan,and do amendment to its constitions.However,the final agreement have not been reached yet and the quarrels and opposing views of political parties continue over the change of system and amendment of the constitution ,so do over the share of power of the government and its conduct.
In democratic societies ,judges are supposed to examine the conduct and polices of the government to make sure that all the activities and polices of the government are constitutional.
Parliament also have broad mandate over the conduct of the government specially over the conduct of the secret intelligence services agents as they are prone to abuse human rights when they take actions against oppositions groups ,journalists ,free voices ,demonstrators ,media channels.
Members of parliament who represent the will of people do have enough power to scrutinize the secret services intelligent agencies ,and open investigation to the claim and reports of human right abuse carried out by an intelligent agent against a citzen.They must make sure that all the activities and operation carried out by an intelligent secret services agency are in complete accord with national laws a,human rights charter and democratic principles.
Kuvan Bamarny/Duhok