Peregraf
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) of Iraq has officially confirmed through written documentation a report published last week by Peregraf Media concerning the convening of Change Movement's (Gorran) party congress, which is scheduled to take place on the 26th of this month. The congress comes at a time when Gorran remains divided between two main factions: one aligned with Dana Ahmad Majid (Acting General Coordinator) known as Kurdsat faction and another faction associated with Nawshirwan Mustafa’s Sons known as Zargata faction.
According to the official IHEC letter obtained by Peregraf - a copy of which is in the possession of our publication - the Commission maintains supervisory authority over the congress proceedings. Consequently, the earlier Gorran gathering held on the 5th of this month in Zergate, which was conducted without IHEC's official participation or oversight and was organized by the Kurdsat faction, cannot be considered valid or officially recognized.
In a separate official communication, IHEC's Board of Commissioners made specific reference to correspondence from Dan Ahmed Majid, formally identifying him as Gorran's General Coordinator representing the movement's original leadership faction. This constitutes official recognition by IHEC that Majid serves in this leadership capacity and that all formal interactions with the movement must be conducted through him in this official capacity.
Peregraf's original report from last week had indicated that the 26th of April had been designated as the date for Gorran's official party congress. The report explicitly stated: "Both factions within Gorran - both the Kurdsat-aligned group and the original leadership faction - must recognize this as the sole official congress. All members from both sides are eligible to participate, and only this gathering will carry official recognition under the name of Gorran."
A knowledgeable source within Gorran's Kurdsat faction provided additional confirmation to Peregraf, explaining: "The founding congress regulations stipulate that participation must be limited to members of the General Body. This refers specifically to the original 2,000 signatories who formally endorsed the establishment of Gorran in Iraq back in 2017, regardless of which faction they currently support."
It should be noted that over the course of recent years, a significant number of the original members comprising Gorran's General Body have either voluntarily withdrawn from active participation in the movement or have formally aligned themselves with alternative political organizations, with some joining the Kurdsat faction while others remained with the original leadership group.
Background on Gorran's Internal Divisions
Founded in 2009 by Nawshirwan Mustafa as a reformist alternative to the dominant Kurdish parties, Gorran has experienced significant internal strife since Mustafa's death in 2017. The party has split into two primary factions:
- Kurdsat Faction: Aligned with Dana Ahmed Majid, who became the Acting General Coordinator in September 2024. Majid's leadership marked a shift, including relocating the party headquarters from Zargata Hill to the Kurdsat Neighborhood in Sulaymaniyah due to ownership disputes
- Zargata Faction: Associated with Nawshirwan Mustafa’s sons, Chia and Nma, this faction has been embroiled in controversies over alleged misappropriation of party assets and properties, leading to accusations of nepotism and corruption.
These internal conflicts have weakened Gorran's political standing, leading to a significant loss of voter support and the departure of prominent members. Some former members have established new political entities, such as the National Stance Movement, aiming to address issues of corruption and governance in the Kurdistan Region.