Shwani Provides Clarification on Kirkuk Governor's Election Process

PUKMEDIA

Dr. Khalid Shwani, Negotiator for the Kirkuk is Our Strength & Will Coalition.

Dr. Khalid Shwani, a member of the Leadership Council of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and a negotiator for the Kirkuk is Our Strength & Will Coalition, provided an explanation regarding the progress of the negotiations to select the head of the Kirkuk provincial council, the governor, and the deputy governor, following the Iraqi provincial council elections in Kirkuk. He emphasised the need to stop using language that suggests betrayal and to avoid using extreme nationalist language as the people of Kirkuk are concerned with having a government that fulfils their needs and ensures stability and peaceful coexistence in the province. 

The following is the text of the clarification:

"The esteemed members of the provincial council from the Arab community, who took part in the session to elect the council's head, the governor, and their deputy, are currently facing an unjust campaign in which the campaigners claim that they are advocating for their community's rights... As a humanitarian, it is my ethical and political obligation, and as someone who has firsthand knowledge of the negotiations, I would like to provide a clear explanation to the public.

Several political figures, who are spearheading this campaign that lacks any human or moral significance, have reached out to us through multiple channels and at various times, offering us to negotiate and reach an agreement with them, especially after they despaired of the success of the opposing coalition in achieving an absolute majority.

On the evening of Wednesday, August 4, my brother and friend Hajj Khaled Al-Mufarji contacted me following the Erbil summit. As per his typical demeanour, he displayed friendliness and enquired about my well-being. In a light-hearted manner, I jokingly expressed that my state of health is satisfactory as long as his schemes do not achieve their intended outcomes. Concisely, he notified me that he was delivering an official message on behalf of the Sovereignty Alliance and brother Sheikh Khamis al-Khanjar, expressing their desire to initiate negotiations with us. I conveyed to him that we, as the sons of Mam Jalal, do not refuse dialogue. However, we are engaging in dialogues with several council members and hold these dialogues in high regard. It is impermissible for the discourse with you to be separate from them. 

He advised me that the negotiations should be with the Sovereignty Alliance, who has four seats, and not with the members of the provincial council, individually. He informed me that whatever is agreed upon with others, we agree upon with you. As a matter of emphasis, I confirmed it again, “Is this an official message?” After he confirmed the matter, I conveyed my thanks and appreciation for his message and informed him that I will consult with the party's leadership in this regard and we will remain in contact. To document this message, I consulted with the leadership of the PUK and also informed the other leaders of the Arab community of this message. 

The party's leadership received another message from a member of the provincial council who belongs to the Arab community and boycotted the council session. Additionally, an Arab figure in Kirkuk sent a message on Thursday and Friday, endorsing Mr. Rakan Saeed as the Chairman of the Provincial Council and urging us to reach an agreement with him, which is preferable to reaching separate agreements with individual members. Hence, the brothers lack the right to charge the attending members with treason, as what is allowed for them is also allowed for others. Given this fact and the Sovereignty Alliance's inclination to marginalise others, the Arab community representatives actively participated in the session. Their agreement extended beyond mere division of positions, as they vigorously advocated for the rights of the Arab community. We hereby declare to the public that a complete political document has been signed by both parties. This document encompasses the principles and key points that were approved at the discussions led by the Prime Minister. This document articulates the viewpoint of all communities and ensures the rights of everyone.

The question is, if the agreement had been reached with the Sovereignty Alliance, would they have accepted to be accused of treason by the other party as well?

It is necessary to abandon the use of treasonous language and to distance ourselves from the language of extreme nationalism. The people of Kirkuk prioritise an administration that prioritises their needs and ensures stability and harmonious coexistence within the province. They do not want their leaders to be consumed by national conflicts and divisions, or to use limited nationalistic slogans as excuses for failures and errors. Upon placing our trust in God, we will embark on a new chapter in Kirkuk, where the city is open to everybody and the collective endeavours of its residents are united in its service.

Your brother
Khalid Shwani
Negotiator for the Kirkuk Our Strength & Will Coalition\



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