On March 11, 1970, the Autonomy Agreement was signed, which was on March 11, 2020, on Tuesday, President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani celebrated 50 years after the signing of the agreement, calling it a watershed time in the history of the Kurdish struggle for the rights and self-determination. Barzani stated that Iraq has still been paying the price for the failure to respect that agreement, calling on political forces to put peaceful coexistence and national unity first.
The March 11 Agreement under the leadership of Kurdish nationalist leader Mullah Mustafa Barzani went into history as the first agreement to acknowledge the legitimate rights of the Kurdish people in Iraq’s modern history. Barzani referred to it as a historic turning point and the legal evidence for the benefits achieved so far by the Kurdistan Region. “No authority in Iraq can deny our rights again,” he underlined, stressing the agreement’s importance through the ages.
Barzani went on to state that the agreement was a good example of solving disputes through dialogue and common understanding. However, the breakdown of the agreement after the Iraqi authorities withdrew from it had resulted in decades of conflict, war, and untold suffering for all Iraqis. “Even today, Iraq is paying the price for failing to uphold this agreement, true partnership, and the constitutional rights of all its components,” he rued over the unfortunate outcome of lost promises and unsolved grievances.
The only way to ensure stability in Iraq is to ensure its commitment to democracy, pluralism, and justice and equality, said the Kurdistan Region President. He called on political forces across the country to work together to strengthen federalism, protect the rights of all communities, and build a secure and prosperous future for Iraq. “Iraq’s future depends on enforcing the constitution, strengthening genuine partnership, and building a secure country,” Barzani stated, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation.
Barzani also urged political leaders in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to act with a sense of national responsibility. He warned that without unity and cohesion, the constitutional gains achieved over the past two decades could be at risk. “Unity and cohesion are the real protective walls for guarding constitutional gains and ensuring the interests of future generations,” he said, urging a departure from divisive politics and the pursuit of peaceful cohabitation.
The President’s comments come as Iraq faces political instability, economic problems, and social divisions. The message of the speaker came to be the tune of the people who thought that the agreement was an instance of hard-won peace and reconciliation lost. In its most significant historical period, Barzani was looking forward to refreshing the memory of all Iraqis that talks, giving away the margin and showing mutual respect are the three very vital components in solving the baffling problems that the country is having.
Barzani’s call for unity and adherence to the constitution reflects a determination to look to the future, and serves as a timely reminder of the lessons learned from the past. The March 11 Agreement stands as a tribute to what was possible — and what can still be accomplished if Iraq’s varied communities unite in the spirit of collaboration and common cause.
In closing, Barzani reiterated his commitment to working with all Iraqi political forces to build a stable, inclusive, and democratic Iraq. “The path forward is clear,” he said. “It requires courage, vision, and a genuine commitment to the principles of justice and equality for all.”
