Kirkuk, a Smaller Version of Iraq

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Written by, Editor in Chief of al-Sabah Newspaper

Yesterday, Kirkuk finally established its local administration after a prolonged period of waiting, and it came just one week after the formation of the Diyala administration, which had also been waiting since the release of the results of the local elections in Iraq at the end of last year. 

Both governorates are experiencing a nationalist and tribal struggle, which has hindered the formation of their administrations and resulted in tensions prior to the government formation meeting at the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad. This has also contributed to the emergence of objections following the meeting. 

The Kurdistan Democratic Party did not attend the meeting, and there were also some absences from the Arab and Turkmen blocs. However, the participation of nine members from the provincial council was enough to reach the required number of attendees and proceed with the election of a governor and a head of the council. 

The absence of those who are not present will undoubtedly have an impact on the significance of what has been accomplished. However, the assurances given following the session, particularly those made by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, may help to reduce tensions, as they pledged not to exclude anyone. Bafel Talabani, the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, stated that they will maintain the same policies as the late Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in addressing the situation in the province. He highlighted their commitment to serving all communities, saying: "We will seek to serve the other communities before the Kurdish community. His representative in Kirkuk, Aso Mamand, confirmed that the positions of the Turkmen who did not attend the meeting will remain vacant until they join the local administration. 

Kirkuk is a small representation of Iraq. The various identities it possesses align with the Iraqi identity, and the disputes that occur there are identical to the conflicts that encompass all of Iraq. The pursuit of consensus and solidarity in Iraq would naturally benefit all of Iraq.