Diyar Harki- Journalist and Activist
In the experience of democracy in the Middle East, in various institutions such as parliament, government, political and civil organizations, the condition of leadership is rare, and those who can show leadership charisma are very few.
In contrast, those who act as presidents who move, eat, think, decide, and strive like presidents are very many, and have become the identity of democracy.
When you observe the history of political parties and organizations in Kurdistan, both in different regions and territories, you easily find those reasons why presidents and administrative officials have become attached to their positions.
They appear as if they speak about the nation, society, and their organizations, but when you approach them and see closely, you realize that all their goals are personal and private.
For example, they want to have a larger villa, to remain for several more terms, and to obtain personal gain as a result of being “president.”
This is the opposite of the foundation of true leadership.
When you examine them more closely, you see a number of people of supposed leadership whose speech, writing, and actions are filled with the posture of leadership yet they are overly self-centered.
They are not truly aware of their own leadership; rather, they know they have contributed nothing, and leave the stage empty-handed.
When you look at their past, you see that many have served their political organizations to a great extent.
To test leadership and presidency is very easy:
Look carefully and you will see those who are removed by force are presidents, and those who leave by their own will before their time are true leaders.
Unfortunately, becoming a president is easy, but being a leader is difficult.
All those we know are presidents some have had their term extended, some have put their reputation in danger, some became presidents through a coup at the expense of their cousins, some became presidents in a fog of confusion, some obtained the presidency by religious decree, and some are “permanent presidents,” who are still presidents of the past.
As for the leaders, they have tied their leadership to the hearts of their people and believe that leadership is a long process not by self-appointment, but by self-surrender to responsibility.
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