The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) has extended its congratulations to the people of Kirkuk, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and the newly elected governor, Rêbwar Taha, in a statement issued on Sunday. The KNK expressed hope that Taha’s appointment would mark the beginning of a new era of peaceful coexistence and mutual acceptance in the historically contested city of Kirkuk.
Kirkuk, a city with a rich history of coexistence, has long been the target of demographic changes and division attempts by various actors. The KNK emphasised that these efforts, which have sought to separate Kirkuk from Kurdistan, must end. “We hope that Mr. Rêbwar Taha, as the new governor who understands the language of his majority Kurdish citizens, will heal the wounds that the people of Kirkuk have suffered as a result of injustice and division in recent years,” the statement read.
The election of Taha, a PUK candidate, as governor comes after a provincial council vote in Baghdad, where he secured support from Arab and Christian members, in addition to PUK representatives. However, the election was marked by a boycott from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Turkmen Front, who, along with other Arab representatives, abstained from the vote. The KNK called on all Kurdish parties and communities in Kirkuk to unite in support of Taha, emphasising the importance of implementing Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution to resolve the city’s status and remove the lingering oppression from the Ba’ath regime era.
Kirkuk’s strategic location and abundant resources have made it a focal point of regional power struggles, with external countries often interfering in its affairs. The KNK’s statement highlighted the need for the city to break free from this cycle of external manipulation and recover its rightful place within Kurdistan. “This revolving process cannot continue forever as the people are yearning for fairness and truth,” the KNK declared.
The KNK’s message concluded with a renewed call for unity among Kurdish parties and the broader population of Kirkuk, urging them to support Governor Taha in building a brighter future for the city. The organisation also called on the international community to respect the will of Kirkuk’s residents and support efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.
