On 27 February, Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan made the historic ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ that had been eagerly awaited for months. Öcalan highlighted the urgent need to pave the way to democratization and called on the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) to lay down arms and dissolve itself.

The call, which had global repercussions, was welcomed with great support in Kurdistan, Turkey and the world. Following the reading of the call, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a member of the İmralı delegation, conveyed a note from Öcalan, saying, "Undoubtedly, the laying down of arms and the dissolution of the PKK in practice require the recognition of democratic politics and a legal framework."

Journalist and writer Sefkan Kobanê spoke to ANF about the call made by the Kurdish leader.

Kobanê remarked that Öcalan took a historic stance and intervened in the crisis in the Middle East with his call, through which, he said, the way for a democratic political and legal solution to the Kurdish question could be opened and the ground for the democratization of Turkey could be formed.

'Öcalan developed a resolution strategy based on the army and the party'

Noting that the PKK was organized and emerged in the 1970s at a time when the Kurds were denied, Kobanê said, “With the determination that ‘Kurdistan is a colony’, Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] developed a resolution strategy based on the army and the party. He had to try this because there was no other way or method. The party was a tool, and he made significant progress to this end. He advanced this process and created change and transformation.”

'A solution can be reached through democratic political steps to replace the PKK'

“Societies constantly renew themselves like living organisms. With this qualitative change, Leader Apo pointed out that the PKK had completed its role. A solution can be reached through democratic political steps to replace the PKK. The restructuring of the PKK with this process means the change and transformation of society as well.”

'The genocidal attacks must be stopped'

Remarking that society is being terrorized through the use of violence, Kobanê pointed out that with the disappearance of the PKK, the argument of 'terror' will disappear. The genocidal attacks must be stopped with the steps to be taken by the Turkish state, he added.

“The PKK is on terror lists internationally. This call and the steps to be taken in line with it will pave the way for the legitimization of the Kurdish people's struggle on an international scale. Democratic political environments are more complex than war environments. In the coming period, much more intense political and actional organization and work will be on the agenda,” Kobanê stated.

'With Öcalan’s project, the Kurds will be able to live freely as free citizens'

The Kurdish journalist emphasized that with Öcalan’s project, the Kurds will be able to live freely in localities as free citizens through the alliance of two strategic peoples: “Leader Apo is also presenting a democratic project to Turkey which, too, will be democratized by this development. First of all, there is a need for a commission to carry out legal work in parliament, in which all parties will take part, on the legal basis that Leader Apo had previously brought up. Otherwise, this process will not work.”

'Öcalan should be able to work and live in free conditions as the chief negotiator'

Kobanê said that, along with all this work, Öcalan should also be able to work and live in free conditions as the chief negotiator. “His statement was the first step. Leader Apo should attend the congress of the PKK, which he founded, for the dissolution of the organization or for the decisions to be taken by it. He should make a call to his militants and fighters.”

'All segments within and around the PKK should take part in the process'

Stressing that it is not possible for this process to be immediately digested, accepted or made a fait accompli, Kobanê said that all segments within and around the PKK should take part in the process for a democratic and honorable peace and express their opinions. Remarking that Öcalan should go into politics, Kobanê said, “His statement is a manifesto. Leader Apo should be one of the main elements in Turkey’s politics. The process cannot work by waiting for a call or a statement from Leader Apo without laws being passed.”

'Legal steps must be taken to guarantee the talks'

Kobanê said that the isolation imposed on Öcalan must be lifted in line with the current talks, and legal steps must be taken to guarantee these talks. The journalist stated that there must first be a ceasefire for the PKK congress to convene: “The war must stop both in South Kurdistan and Rojava, and then commissions should carry out legal efforts regarding the steps to be taken in the process. These commissions should be able to hold talks with Leader Apo. This is what happened during the Mandela process in South Africa.”

Pointing out that Öcalan spoke of peace in an environment of war and chaos, Kobanê said, “This is what leadership is. He talked about peace and laying down arms at a time when no one expected it, when everyone is talking about wars, crises and chaos. This is very important for Turkey, for the people of Kurdistan, for everyone, for all peoples.”

'The weapons have not been silenced yet'

Emphasizing that nothing is over, Kobanê added: “Leader Apo is the one at the table. If the guerrillas are attacked, they will respond. The weapons have not been silenced yet. Right now, the guerrillas are in the position of legitimate defense. What will the guerrillas do in the event of an attack in Zap or Metina? I guess they won't say ‘come and kill us’. They will defend themselves. There are attacks everywhere, from Tishrin to Qerekozaq. These attacks must stop. On the other hand, the trustee politics must come to an end.”

Finally, Sefkan Kobanê called on all segments of society to participate in this process with all their strength.