Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s declaration of a ceasefire have reignited debates over the peace process and dialogue across Turkey and Northern Kurdistan. During the most recent family visit to Imralı, Abdullah Öcalan welcomed the public embrace of his Newroz message and extended his greetings for both Newroz and the Ramadan holiday.

In the current discussions surrounding the peace process, the state continues to frame the issue narrowly, reducing it to disarmament and the convening of a congress by the PKK. However, despite Öcalan’s call, none of the anticipated steps on the state’s part have been taken. He has not been granted his right to hope, and his conditions of isolation persist.

Writer Fuat Kav spoke to ANF about the ongoing process.

Describing Abdullah Öcalan’s call on 27 February as a declaration, writer Fuat Kav stated that the call holds the potential to resolve the Kurdish question and should be understood as a political project in itself. He emphasized the clarity of the message, noting that it contains no ambiguity. Kav said: “Öcalan is saying that problems can be resolved through democratic political means. He points out that the era of armed struggle has come to an end and that these issues can be overcome through dialogue. For this reason, he emphasizes the need for new tools.”

A faction within the state is not convinced by the process

Fuat Kav stated that the PKK is currently engaged in a process of self-renewal, transformation, and restructuring. Yet, he reminded us that the state has not taken a single step so far. Describing the state’s attitude as one of procrastination, delay, and a superficial approach, Kav emphasized that it is the state that needs to take initiative.

He pointed out that certain factions within the state continue to view the issue solely through the lens of 'terrorism,' and underlined that the Kurdish question cannot be resolved merely by ending the armed struggle or dissolving the PKK. According to Kav, some elements within the state and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) are not convinced by the process and continue to approach the Kurdish issue through a traditional state mentality. He said: “A process has been initiated by Abdullah Öcalan. But there is no clarity on how the state will respond to it. The same applies to AKP.” Regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Kav added:“In my opinion, Erdoğan is no different. If the process goes well, he will embrace it. But if it does not, he will claim, ‘I had no knowledge of it,’ and blame the state for it.”

The case against Imamoğlu is connected to the process

Fuat Kav stated that the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu is also connected to the broader political process. He said: “There are two dimensions to this issue. The first is that Imamoğlu is a strong presidential candidate with a high chance of winning. The second is directly related to the process.”

Kav noted that the factions opposing a solution to the Kurdish question are deliberately creating tension. He continued: “By dragging the Republican People’s Party (CHP) into the streets or by laying the groundwork for such incidents, they are trying to create an atmosphere of chaos — one in which they can claim that, with Turkey in danger and on the brink of a coup, it is impossible to address the Kurdish question or to engage with Mr. Öcalan. That is why this issue has escalated so dramatically. In short, the developments surrounding Imamoğlu are directly tied to the process. And those behind them are the very forces that do not want a resolution to the Kurdish question.”

It is unclear how the process will evolve

Fuat Kav also pointed out that it remains unclear how the process will evolve. He stated that while the situation is clear for the PKK, for the Kurdish people, and for Mr. Öcalan, is the state that is leading the process into a deadlock. Kav recalled that following the call, it was expected that Öcalan’s conditions would improve within a week. However, he noted that there has been no change in Imralı Prison. He said: “Visits still take place only with permission. They remain limited, restricted by hours and even minutes. Abdullah Öcalan is not allowed to meet with the people he wants. There has been no change in the situation in Imralı.”

The conditions of Öcalan must be improved

Fuat Kav underlined that under the current conditions, it is not possible for Abdullah Öcalan to lead a process of restructuring, change, and transformation. He stressed that the state must pave the way, and that the responsibility lies with the state. Describing the improvement of Öcalan’s conditions as a necessity, Kav said: “The congress that the state keeps imposing is an illusion. There is no precedent anywhere in the world for a political party being forced to hold a congress and dissolve itself by diktat. This is a two-hundred-year-old issue, with an armed struggle continuing for over forty years. Such a deep-rooted problem cannot be solved through a congress. In this regard, both the state and AKP, especially Devlet Bahçeli, must adopt a new approach. First and foremost, the conditions of Mr. Öcalan must be improved.”

Actions and events empower Öcalan’s position

Fuat Kav also reminded that April 4, the birthday of Abdullah Öcalan, is approaching. He said: “April 4 is not only the birthday of Öcalan as a person, but a symbolic birth of a nation and a movement. It marks the birth of a movement, of an ideology. For this reason, the marches, actions, events, and celebrations held each year should be carried out in a manner worthy of Mr. Öcalan.”

Kav emphasized the significance of the planned actions and events in Amara, stating: “With every action and event we organize, we strengthen Mr. Öcalan’s hand. We move one step closer to freedom, and we deepen the bond between the Kurdish nation, the Kurdish people, and Mr. Öcalan.”

He concluded with the following words: “We can regard April 4 as the birth of a nation. We can also see it as the path to a nation’s freedom — as the breaking of the chains of slavery. On this occasion, I once again celebrate the birthday of Mr. Öcalan.”