The answer to the question "Where is a strong Kurdistan?" will always hinge on the political unity of the ruling parties. In direct contradiction to this, we are seeing behind-the-scenes negotiations happen in Tehran concerning the gas resources of the Kurdistan Region and in Ankara regarding oil resources, all without government oversight and political cohesion. The long-term consequences of this situation indicate that although political parties may experience temporary gains in strength, the likelihood of establishing a strong and federal Kurdistan Region is steadily diminishing, and may even disappear. Currently, the Kurdistan Region is struggling with a multitude of challenges, with the most pressing being the unpaid salaries of public sector employees.
The people of the Kurdistan Region are grappling with a challenging socio-economic situation. Market conditions have worsened, impacting low-income public sector families who have gone without their salaries for three months. The harsh reality is that many of these citizens must find ways to support their families, cover electricity bills, manage various expenses, and handle medical bills - all of which are proving to be extremely difficult. In addition to this, there is a growing sense of frustration directed towards the ruling class and those who remain financially unaffected by the struggles of public employees.
There is a Kurdish proverb that says, "A full stomach is not aware of the hungry one." This aptly describes the situation in the Kurdistan Region. People are enduring one of the most challenging periods of the past decade.
The people of the Kurdistan Region face the burden of higher taxes when compared to the rest of Iraq. They face elevated costs for private healthcare, more expensive electricity bills, increased expenses for basic necessities, and the added challenge of unpaid public servant salaries. Meanwhile, there appears to be an expectation that we should be relieved that after three months, the Kurdistan Regional Government has managed to present a united front in Baghdad, which is somewhat labeled as a "victory." However, these discussions of unity appear to be rhetoric without substantial action.
The participation of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) on two separate lists in the Iraqi provincial council elections is a clear indication that genuine unity has not been achieved. The situation raises legitimate questions about how they intend to convince Baghdad of their unity while simultaneously pursuing distinct political agendas. Actions like these cast doubt on the sincerity of their claims of unity in the eyes of the broader political landscape.
Anger and dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs have grown significantly. On social networking platforms such as Facebook, there is a notable increase in groups expressing discontent. For instance, a Facebook group with over 40,000 disgruntled teachers and education employees has emerged. These actions represent a substantial threat to the ruling parties, as they could potentially lead to protests if the issue of unpaid wages persists.
Local diplomats are openly expressing their dissatisfaction with the ongoing inability of the PUK and KDP to collaborate in the best interests of the people. They emphasize that the Kurdistan Region, with its relatively small population and limited political capacity, often finds its policy direction conflicting with its own welfare. The discord within the region's leadership is a source of concern for those observing the situation closely.
Recent discussions with diplomatic allies in Baghdad reveal that Kurdish parties, in their efforts to bolster party support, are inadvertently eroding respect for the institutions of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the very political entity they claim to strengthen. Domestically, the Kurdistan Region appears to be losing its footing, and on the international stage, it is increasingly viewed as a project into which the international community has poured millions of dollars, yet it is now teetering on the brink of collapse.
The situation has further deteriorated as Kurdish parties utilize Baghdad as a platform to air their differences, which has had a detrimental impact on the reputation and unity of the Kurdistan Region. The Kurdistan Regional Government's institutions are weakened by many factors, including the postponement of elections, and slow reunification process of the Peshmerga forces. This has directly undermined the Kurdish presence in Baghdad to such an extent that it can not question the corruption of Iraqi political parties or even secure the rights of the Kurdistani people.
Whenever the Kurdistan Region has sought refuge in the international community, their allies have clearly pointed to the solution, and that is resolving internal problems, having a united front in Baghdad. The people of the Kurdistan Region, despite the difficulties facing them, want to see a united political effort to overcome the current crisis, as we saw during the sanctions levied against Kurdistan Region in the post-referendum aftermath.
It is bewildering that the allies of Kurds see the real solution to the problems, but the political elite still ignore this. If the same trajectory is pursued, the Kurdistan Regional Government's military structure will not be perceived as strong, professional or even legitimate unless they are reformed. The two ruling parties with their own security apparatus must now prove they are genuinely committed to strengthening our institutions, and that their party interests are no longer a priority, but the people are.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rudaw.
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