Another week of protest and more empty promises from Barzani

By: Shwan Zulal

Yet another frustrating day for the protest organizers as the expected protest in Erbil did not materialise and instead the people of Erbil got an orchestrated rally. President Barzani spoke to the crowd but he said nothing new in his speech. He went on accusing the opposition of taking advantage of the protest, and making a half hearted offer of sitting down with opposition and possibly include them in a unity government. The opposition will probably take the offer with a pinch of salt as this government seems to be talking the talk but not walking the walk.

                             

 Many worshipers in Slemani prayed in Maidani Azadi for the third Friday running and their numbers have been increasing. The main two Islamic parties in Kurdistan whom are in opposition have been trying to take advantage of the protest and muster support. They have been under the heavy arms of PUK and KDP for the last two decades due to their links to radical Islam. Both parties have long distanced themselves from fundamentalism and no longer have militia because of pressure from the incumbents, however many are still sceptical about the real intentions and whether they have changed under the skin.

Maidai Azadi Friday 

 After the rally in Erbil there were reports of scuffles among PUK and KDP supporters which broke out in the town centre. There have been warnings about the possibility of the repeat of the civil war between these old rivals but this time around both side have a lot more to lose. It will take  more than a scuffle to trigger any reaction from either side. PUK seems to be in a very weak potion in Slemani and  is treading very carefully because a wrong move could be the nail in their coffin. The party has suffered since Goran  split from them and Talabani seems to be working behind the scene without giving much away. Speculations are rife and many question whether PUK can survive the protest and what shape it would take if it managed to come through.

On the other hand KPD is in a better position so far as protest have not materialised in its strongholds and they are pressuring Talabni to be more heavy handed in Slemani and clampdown on the demonstrations. KDP's has shown so far that they would not hesitate to do whatever it takes to protect their position and cling on to power.  

The political game continues and Kurdish public are intrigued as ever as to what is in store for them. The main consensus among them appears to be, change is needed and the incumbent can no longer be trusted to deliver it. But knowing the hubris  nature of their political leaders they all wonder how this current situation can be resolved as they cannot see either leader especially Barzani to let go of power that easily. One thing for sure is that the protest will continue and change must come sooner or later.