Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed Tamim has stated that Rebwar Taha's term as Governor of Kirkuk will conclude on December 31, in accordance with the agreement signed by Bafel Jalal Talabani.
Tamim, a leader of the Taqaduma coalition led by Mohammed Halbusi, made this announcement in a statement issued on Friday, August 15, following discussions between Kurdish and Arab members regarding the exchange of the governorship of Kirkuk as outlined in the agreement signed a year ago.
He referred to a statement made by a member of the Kirkuk provincial council representing the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan PUK, who claimed that there is no foundation for the post exchange and that it will end.
"This agreement is applicable to all participants in the formation of the Kirkuk government, even those who were not directly involved, so there is no need for negotiation," he explained.
His comments came after Ahmad Kirkuki, a member of the Kirkuk provincial council, failed to confirm whether there was an agreement regarding the governorship handover to the Arab community during a television interview.
“We will answer this end of the year,” he added.
The Kirkuk local government was formed on August 10, 2024, at the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, with the participation of five members of the PUK, two leadership list members, the only Arab member, and the last Christian member, totaling nine out of 16 members.
However, seven other members, including the Arab Coalition in Kirkuk (three members), the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) (two members), and the Iraqi Turkmen Front ITF (two members), did not participate in the agreement to form the Kirkuk local government and remained in opposition.
Two Arab members of the Kirkuk provincial council expressed concerns over the PUK member's reluctance to transfer the governorship to the Arab community and requested an immediate clarification from the PUK.
In a joint statement, the two members, Raad Salih and Zahir Anwar Aasi, highlighted the political agreement to establish the Kirkuk government, emphasizing that "the key provision is the exchange of the governorship."
"The PUK must clarify whether Ahmad Kirkuki's stance is personal or reflective of the party's position," they demanded.
"We have the agreement in place, and we are committed to the exchange. As we approach the end of the year, we will implement changes in the local government, including the appointment of an Arab governor alongside the head of provincial council with our Kurdish brothers," said Mohammed al-Halbusi, leader of Taqadum movement, to his followers in Kirkuk.
"Halbusi is currently campaigning, which is a common practice for party leaders. Naturally, he will express his views, I would do the same if I were in his position
," Kirkuk added.
The northern, oil-rich, ethnically mixed province of Kirkuk is home to approximately 1.77 million Kurds, Turkmen, and Arabs. Located 238 kilometers north of Baghdad, it has long been at the center of disputes between the federal government in Baghdad and the Erbil-based Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
