Rebar Ahmed
TT

The Iraq Crisis, An Opportunity For Change

The presidential elections in Iraq come following a difficult reform path, which was undertaken by the political and social actors since the start of the largest protest movement in the country, the early parliamentary elections, and the convening of Parliament.

We are witnessing a new Iraqi era. We heard the voices of our people, who want a regime worthy of the historical greatness of their country, its rich culture, and its important role in the region and the world. It is a moment of truth for the leaders who love their land, who are urged to exert more efforts to consolidate sovereignty and strengthen independence in front of allies and opponents.

It is a moment of change that calls for a national readiness for political and administrative responsibilities, which require loyalty to the state and guarantee its higher interests, within an unprecedented reform process, which will not only influence national affairs, but will resonate in the region and in the international crises surrounding it.

Since the President of the Republic is the protector of the Constitution, who is entrusted with preserving Iraq’s independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, the reform path that is now imposing itself on everyone calls for assuming the real role enshrined in the Constitution, by protecting the state and its institutions from any threats.

The modern Iraqi crisis is an unconventional opportunity for success. It’s a coincidence that only happens in a country like Iraq, where diversity and abundance of resources are mixed with tough challenges. Here comes the importance of the President’s pioneering role in exploiting this opportunity, which will in turn achieve the interests of the country and the people.

It is necessary here to emphasize solidarity and cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil – a crucial complementarity that seeks to address challenges and reach fruitful results for the best of Iraq.

Based on our experience, and despite the outstanding crises between the Kurdistan region and the federal government, the Iraqis witnessed great results when the two parties worked together, as in cases of solidarity in major security issues. They defeated ISIS, liberated Iraq from the clutches of terrorism, addressed the file of displacement, launched effective diplomatic efforts, and revived ambitious strategic projects in industry and agriculture, from the mountains of Erbil to the coast of Basra.

Since the founding of their modern state nearly a hundred years ago, Iraqis have fought ideological, ethnic and sectarian struggles. Political movements and trends have emerged, with conflicting activities and projects that delayed access to a contemporary political model that protects the status of the nation. Here arises the importance of a strong and vibrant civil society, which remains an indispensable asset for a viable and developing state.

The course of events around us teaches us a new historical lesson. Tension and conflict in a region that we thought was isolated, will have a wide impact on the whole planet. Iraq cannot abandon its civilized role by remaining turbulent and unable to engage in accelerating transformations and become a global center for devising interests, solutions and opportunities.

At this promising moment, the President of the Republic can only be viewed as an effective tool in integrating roles, which requires wise power and a treatment for many of the obstacles and problems that have long hindered this position.

In 2007, as I was completing my studies in Baghdad, at the peak of violence in the country, I had the honor to speak on behalf of my fellow graduate students of Strategic Planning at the National Defense College there, of the dream of developing a concept of politics, where the advancement of the human being is at the center of the leaders’ efforts.

Dreams stumble and are reborn in great moments of history. With a good dose of inspiration, they can awaken the elements of goodwill in individuals and groups. The path of national reform is one of these moments.