Sudani meets new Kirkuk governor as Turkmen assume post for first time in a century

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met Tuesday with newly appointed Kirkuk Governor Mohammed Samaan Kanaan to discuss service conditions and development plans across the governorate’s districts, congratulating him on gaining the council’s confidence.

Sudani reaffirmed “the government’s commitment to supporting and empowering local governments and governorate councils,” pledging continued support for service and development projects in Kirkuk.

Kanaan was elected governor by the Kirkuk governorate council on April 16, replacing PUK governor Rebwar Taha under a power-sharing arrangement agreed in Baghdad in 2024, under which the Turkmen community assumes the post in 2026 and the Arab politician in 2027. Kanaan described the appointment as “a historic event,” saying “today after 102 years, the deprivation of Turkmen has ended and the governor of Kirkuk is Turkmen.”

Taha said after leaving office that stepping down “was not my decision,” adding that he had “refused to go to Baghdad and turned down several senior positions only to remain in Kirkuk and serve,” and described remaining as a potential deputy as “not an easy decision.”

Taha won a seat in Iraq’s November parliamentary elections but chose not to take it up to remain in post as Kirkuk governor.