SIBELIA EL-IBRAHIM

Raqqa- On October 4, 2024, Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs removed the elected co-mayors of Mardin, Êlih (Batman) and Xelfetî (Halfeti), three municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), from office and appointed trustees in their place. Co-mayors in Raqqa Canton of North and East Syria condemn the appointment of trustees to the municipalities in Northern Kurdistan, defining the appointment of trustees as “an arbitrary policy” aimed at depriving the people of their rights.

‘The aim of the AKP is to ignore the will of the people’

Municipalities play an important role in strengthening democracy and ensuring local development in Northern Kurdistan. Through municipalities, communities can determine their needs and priorities and have a say in making decisions that affect their lives.

“The removal of the elected co-mayors from office and the appointment of trustees in their place is a coup against democracy,” said Sar Sawan, Co-mayor of Al Aikrashi, a municipality in Raqqa Canton. “The Turkish state appointed trustees to the municipalities in Mardin, Êlîh and Xelfetî to break the will of people.”

Calling on all people to raise their voices against the “arbitrary policy” of the AKP, Sar Sawan said, “The aim of Erdoğan and the AKP is to achieve their own political interests by ignoring the will of the people in the region.”

‘The resistance continues

“The AKP violates the principles of democracy by dismissing elected mayors and appointing trustees in their place,” said Reem Al-Khalil, Co-mayor of Ratla, a municipality in Raqqa Canton. “The aim of the policy of the Turkish state is clear; it aims to revive the Ottoman Empire. The resistance of people, especially women, against the appointed trustees continues.”

War against the will of the people

“The Turkish state is hostile to freedom,” said Ruqayya Al-Muhammad, Co-mayor of Al-Karamah, a municipality in Raqqa Canton. “Therefore, it attacks North and East Syria. Removing the elected mayors from office is an attack on people’s demand for freedom; it is a war against the will of the people.”

Stressing the importance of a joint resistance against the appointed trustees, she said, “People should resist this arbitrary policy together. Women should play a leading role in protests against the appointed trustees in Northern Kurdistan.”