Kirkuk Provincial Council Chairman, Mohammed al-Hafez, warned council members boycotting sessions of legal and financial consequences. He revealed that although Arabs hold more positions than before, the rotation of senior positions has been confirmed by a political agreement.
In this interview with KirkukNow, al-Hafez discussed the administrative changes in the service projects in Kirkuk.
Omar al-Hilali: There are differing statements about the rotation of senior positions in Kirkuk. Will the local administration remain as it is now? Will you retain the position of council chairman?
Mohammed al-Hafez: "Not rotating positions" is what some politicians have said, and a council member made an unfortunate statement about it. We have a political agreement, and according to the terms of the agreement, positions will be rotated. There are other entities and individuals supervising and guaranteeing the implementation of the agreement. We entered into the framework of forming this administration in a true partnership, and our brothers in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan are committed to the terms of the agreement.
Therefore, we in this administration are taking our next steps in accordance with the vision and decisions of our leadership. They were a key part of forming this administration, and we rely on their visions and recommendations, including those of Mohammed al-Halbousi (leader of the Progress Party) and Mohammed Tamim (leader in the Progress Party and Minister of Planning) regarding the rotation of positions in Kirkuk.
Omar al-Hilali: What is the problem if the position of council president remains with the Arabs, when, according to the law, his powers are greater than those of the governor, and it is said that Arabs now hold more positions than ever before?
Mohammed Al-Hafez: Certainly, Arab positions are now more numerous than before, and the council's powers are greater. Although the boycott of some council members has led to the disruption of sessions, from now on, the council will play its role in a new and more effective manner.
Despite the doubts raised by many, there is a guarantee for the implementation of the political agreement and the rotation of positions, given that Arabs view the governor's position as symbolic. However, all decisions and actions in the administration of Kirkuk are taken jointly, not unilaterally. We issue all decisions jointly with the governor of Kirkuk. From here, I call on our Turkmen brothers to return to the council so they can receive their dues and become true partners. The Turkmen are a key component of Kirkuk, and we are seeking, through the Balance Committee, to review all positions and responsibilities, from the highest to the lowest, to achieve a 32 percent representation rate.
Omar Al-Hilali: Does the Balance Committee have anything to do with the political agreement upon which the local government was formed, regarding the redistribution of positions and the participation of various parties in the administration of Kirkuk? Mohammed Al-Hafez: Absolutely not. The committee operates outside the political agreement. The committee's work pertains to the role and responsibilities of the provincial council, at the request of Ahmed Ramzi, a member of the provincial council representing the Turkmen Front, who requested that the quota allocated to each major component be 32 percent. God willing, we will work towards this in all districts through the committee.
Omar Al-Hilali: To date, a number of council members have not participated in the sessions and are still part of the boycott front. What measures does the council intend to take?
Mohammed Al-Hafez: The law does not include such a thing as a boycott. Everyone has the freedom to express their political views. We are not against this, but council members are employees, and it is their duty to serve citizens. As such, they are subject to the laws governing civil servant affairs. Their actions and behavior are in accordance with the law and legal procedures, and are therefore subject to accountability and follow-up.
We are about to reach the midpoint of the elected council's term. We must review our positions and actions to understand what we have accomplished and leave our mark. I meet with council members daily, visit them in their offices, and discuss matters. We don't want what's happening to affect our fraternal relationship. These aren't personal disputes. They took the legal oath and must prioritize the public interest over personal interests and abide by the oath they took. They can oppose the government during council meetings. Whatever they do, it must be under the council's umbrella to activate its oversight role. Their absence will have financial and legal consequences regarding the legitimacy of their membership and the financial benefits they receive.
Omar Al-Hilali: The investment file in Kirkuk has been discussed for some time as a problem. What is the problem and how is it addressed?
Mohammed Al-Hafez: The council draws up the investment map for the province. Based on this map and the investment law, investment licenses are issued. In Kirkuk, several licenses have been issued based on narrow personal agendas and interference from influential parties. Investment licenses should be for real projects, not just residential projects that serve the interests of investors at the expense of citizens. We will take a serious stance regarding previous investment licenses and will file a complaint with the judiciary to review the legality of the licenses issued so far. In this regard, we addressed the General Investment Authority, but the interference was an obstacle and thus did not yield results.
Omar Al-Hilali: How do you view the security situation in Kirkuk currently, given the reported security gaps between Iraqi government forces and forces affiliated with the Kurdistan Regional Government?
Mohammed Al-Hafez: Kirkuk's security situation is a federal issue and falls under the authority of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. It is true that we have security issues; there are still security gaps. Another problem is the presence of three operations commands in our region, all under the same federal security framework: The Kirkuk Operations Command, the Nineveh Operations Command, and the East Salah al-Din Operations Command. Sometimes, there is mixture in their affairs. For example, the power of the East Salah al-Din Operations Command extends to Daquq, while the scope of the Nineveh Operations Command reaches Dibis. This will soon be addressed, under the direction of Mr. Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, by forming an operations command in Kirkuk that includes all the provinces so that they can control the security situation and avoid interference with other leadership positions.
Despite this, security in Kirkuk is completely stable. There may be some movement in remote areas, but these pose no danger, and stability is maintained through the ongoing operations of various forces.
Omar Al-Hilali: It has been more than a year since the formation of the local government in Kirkuk. What have been the administration's achievements during that period?
Mohammed Al-Hafez: The achievements have included serving citizens, and this is not a favor, but rather a duty towards them. The services were part of a package of projects implemented with the assistance of the Minister of Planning and the Prime Minister's representative in Kirkuk, Mr. Mohammed Tamim. These projects included the construction of bridges and parks in the north and south of the city. These projects were supposed to include the construction of silos in the areas of Kirkuk, Hawija, and Dibis, but they were postponed due to land issues and will be resolved soon.
