Shafaq News/ A two-month political crisis in Iraq's Nineveh Governorateis edging closer to resolution, sparked by disputes over unilateral decisionsmade by the Future of Nineveh bloc to dismiss and appoint administrative unitheads without consulting other council members. Despite the tension, recentdevelopments have shown signs of progress as the political forces involved engagein negotiations to reach a consensus.
Session Adjournment and Attempts at Reconciliation
The crisis took a turn when the Nineveh Governorate Council adjournedits 17th session, which had been attended solely by the Future of Nineveh bloc.The session had originally been convened to vote on the appointment of districtheads and the chief of Nineveh's Investment Authority. However, the session waspostponed to provide an opportunity for the boycotting Unified Nineveh andKurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) blocs to participate.
Council Chairman Ahmed al-Hassoud emphasized that the decision toadjourn was made in the interest of fostering cooperation among all politicalblocs. “The session was adjourned to give the ‘Unified Nineveh’ and KDP blocs achance to participate in important decision-making,” he explained. Althoughquorum was achieved with 16 members from the Future of Nineveh bloc, al-Hassoudstressed the importance of consensus and partnership.
Negotiations: Future of Nineveh, Unified Nineveh, and KDP Blocs
The ongoing negotiations between the Future of Nineveh, Unified Nineveh,and KDP blocs aim to resolve the stalemate caused by the disputed appointments.Al-Hassoud has reiterated that dialogue is essential to finding a solution, andhis priority remains equal representation in council decisions. "I standequidistant from all political forces. All blocs must participate in thecouncil's sessions," he stated.
The boycott initially began when the Unified Nineveh and KDP blocsaccused the Future of Nineveh bloc of monopolizing decisions and appointmentswithin the governorate. The appointments of administrative unit heads were madewithout the participation of other blocs, leading to the current impasse.However, the recent postponement of the council session and continued dialoguehave sparked hope that a resolution is within reach.
Responses from the Unified Nineveh and KDP Blocs
In response to the adjournment, the Unified Nineveh bloc expressedoptimism, viewing the decision as a positive step towards reconciliation."The bloc has held two rounds of dialogue with Future of Nineveh, and thediscussions are still ongoing," said Muhannad Najm al-Jubouri, head of theUnified Nineveh bloc. He emphasized that the negotiations are aimed at findingsolutions to satisfy all parties involved.
Al-Jubouri described the adjournment as a "goodwill gesture"that reflects the Future of Nineveh bloc's willingness to resolve the dispute.
Abdullah al-Nujaifi, another member of the Unified Nineveh bloc, praisedthe council chairman's decision, stating that it would enhance trust betweenthe negotiating parties. "Achieving social and political balance iscrucial for genuine stability in Nineveh," he added, stressing theimportance of inclusive representation in provincial departments andadministrative units.
The KDP bloc also welcomed the adjournment but stressed the need forreal guarantees to ensure full participation in future decision-making."There must be a genuine partnership among all forces representing Ninevehto resolve the current political disputes," said Ahmed al-Kiki, head ofthe KDP bloc. He warned that while the ongoing negotiations are promising,their success would depend on actions rather than mere statements.
Future of Nineveh's Stance and Prospects for Resolution
On the other hand, the Future of Nineveh bloc has taken steps towardsreconciliation by initiating dialogue with the boycotting blocs. MohammadHreiss, the head of the Future of Nineveh bloc, highlighted the progress madein negotiations, indicating that the political crisis in Nineveh is nearing itsend. "Negotiations between the Future of Nineveh bloc and the other blocshave begun, and they are making notable progress," Hreiss told ShafaqNews.
However, Hreiss also made it clear that the appointments ofadministrative unit heads—a key point of contention—would not be reversed."It is impossible to revoke or reverse the council's decision on thismatter," he said, although he conceded that "minor adjustments"affecting two or three positions may be made to accommodate the concerns of theboycotting blocs.
Historical Context of the Crisis
The political deadlock began nearly two months ago when the UnifiedNineveh and KDP blocs boycotted the Governorate Council following a sessionattended solely by the Future of Nineveh bloc. During that session, the councilvoted to appoint and replace several administrative unit officials withoutconsulting other council members. The boycotting blocs accused the Future of Ninevehbloc of unilaterally monopolizing key decisions within the governorate, whichthey viewed as undermining the principle of shared governance.
Despite the boycott, the Future of Nineveh bloc, with its 16 members,has maintained a majority in council sessions. This majority has allowed themto continue functioning, albeit without the participation of the other majorblocs. However, the ongoing negotiations indicate a potential breakthrough,with the prospect of the Unified Nineveh and KDP members returning to thecouncil.