Organization and activities of the Communist Party between 1958-1991 in Rwandz

Abstract

The July 14 Revolution of 1958 constituted a historic turning point in the Iraqi political system, creating a favorable environment for the activation of overt party activities. In this context, the city of Rawanduz emerged as a vital center for political activity, where the Iraqi Communist Party managed to secure a strong popular base. During that era, broad segments of Rawanduz society were not only supporters of leftist ideology but were also staunch backers of Abd al-Karim Qasim's government.

However, following the February 8 coup of 1963 and the Ba'ath Party's rise to power, a radical shift occurred in the treatment of political forces. The new authority resorted to a policy of repression and assassination, and the Communist Party organizations in Rawanduz bore the lion's share of this persecution. These political and security pressures led a large number of party cadres and members to flee to mountainous areas and participate in the armed struggle within the framework of the September Revolution, where they played influential roles in numerous epics and battles. Simultaneously, secret underground cells within the city continued their organizational activities to ensure their survival.

Following the announcement of the March 11 Manifesto of 1970, the Ba'ath regime adopted a 'divide and rule' strategy. By luring the Communist Party into the 'National and Progressive Nationalist Front,' it succeeded in creating a rift in the relations between the Party...