Serwan Zangana | Exclusive to iKurd.net
After a long delayed Parliamentary Election in Iraqi Kurdistan, finally people have casted their votes, and as it was expected the Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP, claimed the victory and Barzani’s family maintained control of the government.
This family has been controlling the main economic sources in the region for many years and inflating its bank account while people are struggling and waiting for their dream to come true, a dream that has shrunk to only basic human needs and a paycheck for the civil servants of the region. Perhaps, Barzani believes that paying the civil servants their salaries is a privilege provided by the KDP!
However, during the election campaign, people of Kurdistan were overwhelmed by political propaganda, lame excuses, and empty promises from Barzani’s family, the father, the son, and the nephew! This family has unfortunately become sacred for many Kurds in the region. However, there are also people in Erbil City intimidated to criticize Barzani and his family members. It is a reminiscence of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein!
Barzani’s promises to the people of Kurdistan during the Parliamentary Election campaign were definitely similar to the ongoing U.S Presidential Election campaign. The U.S under Biden-Harris Administration and Kurdistan under Barzani’s rule have only resulted in chaos and economic hardship for their people.
What an odd correlation between the two! However, back to Kurdistan, what is the alternative? Seemingly, it is very rare to find a person with integrity in the political arena of Kurdistan to change direction. Apparently, the KDP has shackled the election and surrendered the Regional Government to the family rule.
The dark side of Barzani and the history of the betrayal is unforgettable, and indeed, the secret agreements with the neighboring countries, plots on the rivals and opponents, and his survival manipulation have always put this family in a position to be distrusted. It is the matter of power and greed that generated Barzani to tighten his grip on the seat and continue the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Now, what is next? Can the majority KDP in the Kurdistan Parliament compromise and sit on the negotiation table and come up with agreements and solutions with other Parties in the Parliament to serve the region and the people, equally? Or it will be the continuation of the same drama, which is the power of the Barzani’s family.
Obviously, and from the past experiences, it is the repetition of the same action with the same political mentality that does not accept new ideas from oppositions in the government. It is indeed the tribal mentality that drives the KDP under Barzani’s rule.
Such a mentality can only create difficulty for people of Kurdistan to live freely and digest the meaning of freedom of speech and observe the fair election. It is important for people of Kurdistan to free their mind from sanctifying the politicians, the leaders, and the head of tribes.
Iraqi Kurds and its continuing struggle after the Election
The result of the election will not shift the direction of Kurdistan region toward a brighter horizon. The KDP will keep rolling on the same path as it was before the election. And being in second place of the election result, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, PUK, will continue its loud voice without action.
But the question is: What if the PUK had gained the majority seats in the Parliament? Would it be in the best interest of the People of Kurdistan? In fact, the corrupt mentality of the Kurdish leaders in general obstructs their sense of integrity, and therefore, regardless of the winning Party, the equation will have the same result for Kurds.
The Iraqi Kurds are living under two burdens, first, the politicians’ conflict, especially, between the members of the KDP and the PUK, and second, the Turkey-PKK armed conflict as it has been spreading to the region. Since there are many factors that influence these conflicts, it is unlikely to be resolved. Obviously, the International eyes were on the Kurdistan region’s election as they saw it as a democratic process in the region. But in fact, it was only another day with no changes of the region’s direction.
Peace talks proposal with Ocalan, and Erdogan and KDP’s interest in the region
Erdogan recently expressed his support for Devlet Bahceli’s, the leader of Turkey’s ultra-nationalist MHP party, proposal to have a peace dialogue with Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed PKK leader, in order to renounce terror and disband PKK. But the questions: What is the intention behind such a proposal? And, Can the Turkish politicians be trusted when it comes to the Kurds rights and freedom? First of all, recognizing Kurds’ right to autonomy in Turkey is the only path to peace, and such a right could affect Turkey, politically. Therefore, it is unlikely for Turkey to compromise and grant Kurds autonomy.
Obviously, Erdogan’a intention in supporting Bahceli’s proposal is to end the PKK’s activities and operations, militarily and politically dismantle the group, and hence, dilute the ethnic identity of Kurds. However, Turkish politicians, including Erdogan, cannot be trusted, and peace dialogue is another tactic to destroy the PKK.
Apparently, the KDP has played a major role in benefiting Turkey and accommodating to Erdogan’s demands. And through the relationship with Turkey, Barzani is attempting to prolong his political power in the Kurdistan region. Unfortunately, peace will not survive under the rigid Turkish rulers’ mentality, and such a peace talk proposal is only a strategy to manipulate Ocalan and end the PKK. Understanding that it is not as simple as for Turkey to recognize Kurds in an autonomous government in South East Turkey.
The U.S’s next administration and the Kurds
Regardless of the outcome of the upcoming U.S presidential Election, Kurds should not be surprised by any changes of U.S promises and its support to Kurds in the region. The U.S.’s support for Kurds is based on the special interest and the political environment that benefits the U.S. Kurds have always been used as a tool to serve the U.S interest in the region.
Now, many Kurds are anxiously waiting for a new U.S administration with the hope for more support, and perhaps, the intervention to peace talk between Kurds and Turkey, which also could end the attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan. But, can the next U.S President make such a process happen? It is very unlikely.
Serwan Zangana, a contributing writer for iKurd.net, lives in Virginia, U.S. He serves as a correction officer.
The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of iKurd.net or its editorial team.
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