Between National Conscience and the Law of the Jungle

By: Zikri Musa

My message to the political parties and forces in Kurdistan is that all sides should consider the interests of the people of Kurdistan, prioritize the higher interests of our people over narrow goals and interests, and abandon this futile conflict and the selfishness that has long hindered the political process in the region. Therefore, following the blessed Eid al-Adha, I call on the political forces in the region to come together with sincerity and a spirit of patriotism to address this political deadlock and bring an end to this inappropriate political situation.

This is a moral, national, and patriotic duty, and it is essential that everyone approach it with a sense of responsibility and return to the right path. This was the essence of the initiative proposed by President Barzani to save Kurdistan from the political deadlock it is suffering from, as outlined in this year’s Eid al-Adha message.

In response to this sincere national appeal, unfortunately, Bafel Talabani, as a key party in the ongoing crisis in Kurdistan, demonstrated through his statements during a dialogue session in Sulaymaniyah that he is incapable of acting responsibly and pays little attention to moral duty, national responsibility, and the higher interests of Kurdistan. It appears that he has chosen—or been pushed—to adopt an approach based on selfishness and political obsession. He mocks everything that serves the interests and stability of the Kurdistan Region.

The negative approach and disregard for values and principles attributed to Bafel Talabani have not only impacted the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the broader political process in the region but also his own party, colleagues, relatives, and allies.

Who would have thought that the day would come when thousands of armed personnel and dozens of armored vehicles belonging to a Kurdish force would shake the city's security and attack a hotel in the heart of Sulaymaniyah, using force and weapons to settle political scores with those close to them?

In what part of the world does it happen that three party leaders are imprisoned during election time, and then negotiations and deals are made with the leader of one of the parties while they are in prison and under pressure, and this is presented to the people as a democratic tradition and a means of forming alliances, thereby deepening the crisis further?

In any society, is it considered a sign of courage or integrity to manipulate citizens' food and finances and create an economic crisis that directly affects their lives?

In 2024 and 2025, the people of Kurdistan expressed their will at the ballot box on two consecutive occasions. In both elections, the Kurdistan Democratic Party received twice as many votes as the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.

The approach and conduct attributed to Bafel Talabani, marked by disregard for values and principles, have not only affected the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the wider political process in the region but have also had repercussions within his own party, among his colleagues, relatives, and allies. What he is working toward and seeking to impose is based on the psychology and rhetoric of internal conflict and a belief in the logic of the “law of the jungle.”

This is something that even activists and patriots within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, who live under severe pressure and marginalization, cannot accept, and they also express complaints about it. But the main question is, where can this approach lead? The correct path to saving Kurdistan from this deep crisis lies in observing three fundamental principles:

1. Respecting the will and voice of the people.

2. Learning lessons from history.

3. Believing in ethics and the national conscience.

As for the logic of the law of the jungle and political gambling, it has never served anyone in the past, nor will it serve anyone in the future.