Rebin Ahmed Rashin – Activists
Dr. Qutbeddin Sadeqi, a renowned Iranian Kurdish historian and scholar, reflects on the political trajectory of the Kurdish region in Iran in his works. He recounts his early days as a student in Paris, where he met a Romanian friend named Theodor, who once asked, “Why did you come to Paris from Iran and the East, but why did I come from the West?” Dr. Sadeqi describes a conversation with Theodor, where he recalls his family’s struggle to afford the simple cost of meat while living in a society overwhelmed by economic hardship. This question encapsulates a larger geopolitical issue that, much like Sadeqi’s own experiences, speaks to the very essence of the economic and political challenges facing the Kurdish region.
Sadeqi elaborates on his observations of Romania’s economic history, particularly the state of the country’s leadership under Nicolae Ceaușescu. Despite Romania’s rich natural resources and agricultural potential, Ceaușescu’s leadership mismanaged the country, causing the quality of Romanian goods to deteriorate. Sadeqi juxtaposes Romania’s industrial output with Italy’s superior quality, which Romania could not match despite the purchase of Italian factories and machinery. The resulting inferior goods could not compete in international markets, and Romania was forced to sell its products at reduced prices, deepening the country’s financial problems.
Romania’s authoritarian regime, alongside other Eastern European dictatorial systems, mirrored the economic failures and political mismanagement that plagued many other authoritarian regimes. According to Sadeqi, the leadership’s failure to think critically or strategically led to disastrous economic consequences, including a growing national debt. He compares Romania’s mismanagement to that of Iraq under Saddam Hussein and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), noting that these regimes often ignored the basic tenets of governance, such as transparency and accountability, which ultimately led to their downfall.
Sadeqi stresses that in the face of the region’s economic hardships, one should not overlook the importance of sovereignty and national dignity. He criticizes those who, under the guise of independence, engage in self-destructive economic practices, often exacerbating the very conditions they claim to oppose. The political elite, who fail to address these systemic issues, will only continue to drag their nations toward further crisis.
He further critiques the KRG’s current trajectory, highlighting its systemic corruption and political practices that resemble those seen under authoritarian regimes. Despite the region’s rich natural resources, including oil, gas, and fertile land, the political elite have failed to effectively manage these assets. Instead, they have exploited them for personal gain, enriching themselves while the general populace suffers.
Sadeqi concludes with a call for Kurdish leadership to shift its focus from short-term gains to long-term development and stability. He believes that true sovereignty lies not in controlling resources for the benefit of a select few, but in managing them equitably for the benefit of the entire nation. Only through such reforms can the Kurdish people hope to secure a prosperous and self-sufficient future. The lessons from past failures, particularly the economic mismanagement seen in Romania and Iraq, serve as a cautionary tale for the Kurdish leadership and its future direction.
This critique underscores the necessity of a more accountable, transparent, and strategic leadership in Kurdistan, one that places the needs of the people above personal and political gain, and that can guide the region toward a brighter, more self-sustaining future.
