Dana Majid named Gorran's new leader amid internal struggles

Dana Ahmed Majid named gorrans new leader amid internal struggles — Former General Coordinator Omar Sayyid Ali (R) transferred leadership of the party to Dana Ahmed Majid (2nd right) during a ceremony held in a park in Sulaimani, September 28, 2024. Photo: Gorran Movement/gorran.net

SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Change Movement (Gorran) in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, which many analysts have declared a dying political force, appointed a new leader on Saturday amid internal tensions and divisions within the party.

Omar Sayyid Ali, the outgoing General Coordinator of the party, officially handed over the leadership role to Dana Ahmed Majid during a small ceremony held in a park in Sulaimani.

The handover notably did not take place at the party’s main headquarters on Zargata Hill, which has been closed off by the sons of Gorran’s late founder, Nawshirwan Mustafa.

The sons of Nawshirwan Mustafa, who control much of Gorran’s valuable real estate, sealed off the Zargata Hill complex in the heart of Sulaimani, barring access to party officials. Their move reflects growing dissatisfaction with the leadership transition and the recent appointment of Majid.

Nawshirwan Mustafa, once hailed as a revolutionary figure, often compared to the iconic Che Guevara, founded Gorran as a pro-reform alternative to the region’s established political parties, particularly the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

However, his reputation took a hit following his death, when it was revealed that he had amassed a substantial personal fortune, including millions of dollars in assets. These revelations tarnished his image as a champion of the underprivileged and weakened the public’s faith in Gorran, which had long prided itself on its clean, democratic ethos.

Many of the properties he left behind now belong to his sons, a matter that has further complicated the party’s internal strife.

Once positioned as a viable challenger to the ruling KDP, Gorran saw a steep decline in its popularity after it entered into a coalition government with the Barzanis in the 2010s.

Many of its supporters were disillusioned, and a significant number of members defected to join the KDP. This shift in alliances marked a dramatic departure from Gorran’s original mission of being an opposition party to the ruling elite.

The closure of Zargata Hill is part of an ongoing power struggle within Gorran, and Mustafa’s sons have stated that the gates will remain shut “indefinitely, to prevent chaos and maintain security.” This move highlights the significant rift that has developed within the party.

Gorran’s National Assembly, one of the key decision-making bodies within the party, has publicly rejected Majid’s appointment. In a statement issued on Friday, the assembly pointed out that the party’s bylaws mandate the election of a new leader, not an appointment.

“It is not acceptable to appoint an acting general coordinator within the Gorran Movement. This is a move made through a coup, not a democratic election. It’s unheard of in any political organization,” the statement read.

At a press conference, Gorran spokesperson Dler Abdulkhaliq defended the appointment of Majid, stating it was necessary due to regulations set by Iraq’s electoral commission ahead of next month’s parliamentary elections.

Abdulkhaliq also criticized the decision to close the party headquarters, describing the Zargata Hill complex as public property. “This location belongs to the people, not to any individual or family. We are committed to the values and vision of the Gorran Movement, and we have no interest in personal property disputes. However, we are dedicated to fulfilling Mr. Nawshirwan’s vision for the party,” he said.

Founded as a pro-reform party, Gorran disrupted the established political order when it won 25 seats in the 111-member Kurdistan Regional Parliament in 2009, a stunning result for an opposition party.

The combined forces of the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) won only 59 seats, signaling a major shift in Kurdish politics. It was the first time an opposition party had ever won seats in the Kurdish parliament, and Gorran seemed poised to challenge the region’s dominant political forces.

However, the party’s fortunes began to fade following a series of unpopular decisions. These included allowing Mustafa’s sons to control key party assets and forming alliances with the very parties Gorran had been established to oppose, the KDP and PUK.

Many supporters viewed this as a betrayal of the party’s core principles. The 2021 parliamentary elections for Iraq saw Gorran’s popularity plummet to an all-time low, with the party failing to secure a single seat.

In the aftermath of that electoral disaster, Gorran’s entire governing body, including its leader Omar Sayyid Ali, resigned. The appointment of Majid marks only the third leadership change in Gorran’s history.

Majid, a former senior figure in the PUK and once the governor of Sulaimani, returned to the Kurdistan Region earlier this year after spending more than a decade abroad. His leadership could signal a new chapter for Gorran, though the internal challenges he faces are considerable.

On September 19, 2024 Ali signed a power of attorney, officially granting Majid full administrative and financial authority over the party’s affairs, including control of its assets and the ability to sign contracts.

However, the document specifically excluded the authority to purchase new property, a provision likely aimed at preventing further disputes over the party’s real estate holdings.

(With files from Rudaw | Agencies)