Kurdish leaders on Tuesday commemorated the 55th anniversary of the Iraqi-Kurdish Autonomy Agreement of 1970, also known as the March Accord, which sought to secure autonomy and basic rights for the Kurdish people in Iraq.
“The March Accord was a historic and important achievement of the struggle of the people of Kurdistan led by General Mustafa Barzani. For the first time, the Iraqi government recognized part of the rights of the Kurdish people, and the opportunity arose for the people of Kurdistan to be able to manage their affairs, strengthen their language and culture, and achieve stability,” President Masoud Barzani said in a statement.
Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in a post on X also underlined that “we reiterate that our fundamental and long-standing issues with the federal government must be resolved based on upholding the Constitution, legal frameworks, and the federal status of the Kurdistan Region.
Furthermore, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani stated that the March Accord represented a pivotal moment in the history of the people of Kurdistan, serving as the first official document to acknowledge some of their rightful claims.
“It also established the legal foundation for our present accomplishments, ensuring that no Iraqi authority can again disregard our rights. On this momentous occasion, we honor those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and rights of our people and our nation. We extend our respect to the proud families of the martyrs, the brave peshmerga, and the diverse communities of Kurdistan.”
Baghdad ultimately failed to implement the autonomy agreement, which resulted in continued war and hardship.
“We urge all political entities in Kurdistan and Iraq to learn from this experience and collaborate in the spirit of national duty to reinforce federalism, uphold the rights of all Iraqi communities, and promote peaceful coexistence. The future of Iraq is contingent upon the effective implementation of the Constitution, the enhancement of authentic partnerships, and the establishment of a country characterized by security, stability, and justice,” President Nechirvan Barzani concluded.
