Moreover, for years now, Iraq's Sunnis have believed that they are a marginalized party in the Iraqi government's decision-making process, while the Shiite parties refuted such allegations by noting the number of positions Sunnis obtained in the previous and current governments.
In this context, a key factor is the difference in interpretation regarding the concept of partnership. Partnership is not as much about sharing positions in government as it is about maintaining a general sense that the Iraqi forces participating in any government are a part thereof, share its responsibilities and do not belong to the government in form while contradicting it in substance.
In order to reach such a conviction, Iraq needs a different vision on “partnership in power” through the dissemination of “partnership in responsibility,” “partnership in achievement” and “partnership in failure.”
It is too early to say that the experience of the local government in Baghdad is a meaningful step toward this partnership, not only because it will take longer to determine whether its forming parties are getting along, but also because its local government and provincial council have the smallest scope of powers compared to the other cities of Iraq. This is because these powers are encroached upon by the federal government in terms of its ministries, institutions, organizations and political conflicts.
Yet, any change in paths and options is an important development for Iraq. This change seems today to be needed more than ever.
Mustafa al-Kadhimi is an Iraqi writer specializing in defense of democracy. He has extensive experience in documenting testimony and archiving documentaries associated with repressive practices.
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