A decade after Nawshirwan Mustafa led a rebellion within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) over nepotism, corruption and family-based politics, the reform-oriented Gorran (Change) movement he later founded is ironically facing similar challenges.

A growing number of middle- and high-ranking officials as well as grass-roots supporters are adding their voices to the uproar within the party, accusing the two Western-educated sons of the late Mustafa of monopolizing power. They inherited the movement's financial assets following their father’s death in May 2017.

“Gorran has become a hostage of his sons because they now control the finances of the movement," an agitated senior official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. "They could easily kick us out of [Gorran headquarters in Zargata] Hill if they wish because they now control everything."

If the issue persists, it could have serious negative consequences for the party in the upcoming Kurdistan region elections scheduled for September. Back in 2009, when Mustafa announced his Gorran list to run in the Iraqi Kurdistan parliamentary elections, a large number of ordinary people attracted by his reformist message took huge risks by voting for his list. Gorran secured 25 seats in the 111-seat assembly, taking everyone by surprise. The PUK retaliated in a wave of intimidation and fired hundreds of peshmerga and other civil servants suspected of voting for Gorran. Still, the movement grew to become a powerful force for change in Kurdish politics.