REBAS HAWLA MUSTAFA – Activists
In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a persistent and concerning dynamic has emerged whereby prominent tribal figures, known colloquially as Aghas—many of whom serve as political advisors and tribal leaders—are increasingly perceived by the general population as part of a deeply entrenched patronage system, often likened to a form of “mafia” governance. This perception is not without basis.
Both the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have long cultivated mutually beneficial relationships with powerful tribal families. These alliances are maintained through systematic financial support, access to arms, and high-value resources such as luxury vehicles and real estate. In return, tribal leaders mobilize support for party candidates, especially during election cycles, often nominating their sons or close relatives for parliamentary seats in both the Kurdistan Parliament and the Iraqi Council of Representatives.
These electoral mobilizations are frequently accompanied by allegations of widespread electoral fraud. Reports suggest that tribal elites exert influence over local Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) officials, pressuring them to facilitate ballot manipulation and vote tampering. The objective is to ensure the political success of tribal-affiliated candidates and thereby consolidate control over their respective geographic constituencies.
What emerges from this political arrangement is a reciprocal system of impunity and mutual gain. The two ruling parties—KDP and PUK—rely on these tribal networks not only for electoral purposes but also for the enforcement of their interests across the region. In exchange, the tribal leaders and their families are shielded from legal accountability, even in cases involving serious criminal allegations such as illegal land appropriation, violence against journalists and activists, or the suppression of civil dissent.
Indeed, the judiciary in the Kurdistan Region appears increasingly compromised. The regional courts no longer function with autonomy; instead, they often act in alignment with political interests. As a result, individuals affiliated with dominant tribal families and political elites are rarely prosecuted, regardless of the severity of their alleged crimes. The sons of prominent Aghas and advisors enjoy effective immunity, operating above the rule of law and free from judicial restraint.
This impunity is exacerbated by the unchecked proliferation of weapons distributed to party loyalists and tribal enforcers. These arms are often resold on the black market, increasing the prevalence of violent crime and instability within the region. The deliberate failure to regulate such transactions contributes to a culture in which criminality flourishes while accountability is systematically evaded.
Historical patterns reveal that many individuals from these powerful families have been implicated in severe abuses, including the execution or forced disappearance of journalists, political activists, and ordinary civilians. Despite credible allegations and substantial public outcry, these cases rarely result in prosecutions. Instead, scapegoats are sometimes presented, while the true perpetrators remain protected by their political patrons.
This prevailing system of tribal-political entrenchment has effectively undermined the foundational principles of justice, rule of law, and democratic accountability in the Kurdistan Region. The co-optation of state institutions by a dual power structure—comprised of dominant political parties and affiliated tribal elites—has led to a dangerous erosion of public trust and civic space.
In light of these realities, it is imperative that serious reforms be undertaken. The judicial system must be restored to full independence, and the armed wings of political parties must be demilitarized. Moreover, no individual or family—regardless of tribal status or political affiliation—should remain above the law. The state must reassert its monopoly on legitimate force and uphold legal equality for all citizens, lest the Kurdistan Region continue to descend into a semi-feudal system governed not by law, but by familial loyalty and coercive power.
