In a bold new statement, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has called on all armed groups to disarm and declared that he bears historical responsibility for the move. Ocalan, who has long been a central figure in the Turkish Kurdish conflict, believes that the time has come for the PKK to dissolve itself and lead the way toward peace and democracy. In the statement, Ocalan stressed that “the language of the age is peace” and emphasized the urgent need to develop a democratic society.
He added that “there is no way but democracy and democratic dialogue, and the Republic will not survive except through fraternal democracy.” Ocalan also called for a PKK general congress to make a formal decision to dissolve the party, stressing the importance of this step in achieving lasting peace and moving toward a more stable and optimistic future for the region.
For his part, the deputy chairman of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Efkan Ala, commented on Ocalan’s call, saying: “The essence of the call is to lay down arms and dissolve the terrorist organization, and we are looking at the outcome with great consideration.”
Ala stressed that Turkey would “break free from its shackles” if the organization responded to this call and proceeded to lay down arms and dissolve itself. The statement comes at a time of ongoing tension in Kurdish-Turkish relations, and could mark a new beginning towards an era of democracy and peace if these calls are successfully implemented.
Aourwa Deep