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Analysis and Conclusion of Leader Abdullah Öcalan's Speech (Call for Peace and Democratic Society)

One of the main criticisms directed at Öcalan by the majority of the Kurdish people, especially prior to the speech, is his adoption of the idea of "democratic nation" as a substitute for traditional Kurdish nationalism. According to this perspective, Kurds should not seek a nation-state of their own, but rather a decentralized democratic system based on pluralism and participation in the countries they inhabit.
This idea faces opposition from various factions within the Kurdish movement. Kurdish nationalists argue that Öcalan dilutes the Kurdish cause and makes unwarranted concessions to the Turkish state by eliminating the national character of Kurdish demands and transforming them into a general democratic issue within Turkey. Other Kurdish parties, such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (YNK), view the speech as a positive step toward peace, supported by several European countries, the United States, and the United Nations. However, some Kurdish factions may consider that this perspective serves the Turkish state more than it serves the Kurds, as it institutionalizes the idea that Kurds must integrate into the countries they live in without demanding independent national rights.
Opponents within the PKK itself, such as some military leaders, may see this speech as an attempt to weaken the Kurdish armed movement without providing real guarantees from the Turkish state. Therefore, the process of laying down arms will likely take a long time of dialogues and agreements.
Future scenarios stemming from this call could lead to several possibilities, some of which are positive and others pose risks to the Kurdish move
First Scenario:
A Prelude to New Political Dialogue Between Turkey and the Kurds
If Turkey responds to this call with tangible actions, such as reducing repression, enacting legal reforms for the Kurds, and opening political channels for dialogue, it could mark the beginning of a new phase that solidifies the political and cultural rights of Kurds within Turkey. However, this scenario seems unlikely under Erdoğan's government, which is allied with hardline nationalists.
Second Scenario:
Exploiting the Speech to Eliminate the Kurdish Movement Without Concessions
There is a possibility that this speech is part of the Turkish state's strategy to weaken the Kurds by creating divisions within the PKK between supporters and opponents of the party's dissolution. In this case, Ankara may use the speech as a means to undermine Kurdish resistance without acknowledging national rights.
Third Scenario:
Failure of the Call and Continuation of Conflict
If the speech does not gain support within the Kurdish street or from the PKK, it may lead to a new wave of military confrontation rather than de-escalation, as some may perceive that the Turkish state is trying to deceive the Kurdish movement again.
It is difficult to imagine that Turkey would amend its constitution to officially recognize Kurds as an independent nationality, especially given the current system's reliance on strict Turkish nationalist ideology. Even during periods of peace talks, the Turkish state has not gone beyond offering some superficial reforms, such as allowing certain Kurdish media outlets and lifting some restrictions on the use of the Kurdish language, but without any clear constitutional recognition of Kurds. If there is any constitutional amendment in the future, it is likely to be within a framework that permits limited administrative decentralization, rather than explicit national recognition. The prospect of granting Kurds self-rule similar to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is entirely out of the question under the current Turkish regime.
The speech raises many questions rather than providing answers regarding its implications for the Kurdish and Turkish political landscape. It is evident that the speech has garnered significant international and regional attention, receiving positive reception in major political circles, including the United States and some European countries, in addition to the support of the United Nations, which views any peace initiative as a necessary step toward stabilizing the region.
The open question remains:
Is Turkey actually changing, or will the "conditional peace" game be replayed? Particularly as Erdoğan's ambitions become clearer—not only to resolve the Turkish Kurdish issue within Turkey but also towards neighboring countries, with attempts to demand the dismantling of Kurdish military forces in Syria and Iraq that adhere to the ideology of a democratic nation, using it as a pretext for continued intervention in those countries' affairs.
And the bigger question:
Will the Turkish state respond positively to this call, or will it exploit it as a tool to eliminate the Kurdish issue? Is this initiative presented as part of a genuine solution, or is it merely another political maneuver to beautify Turkey's image before the international community? Especially as it struggles with the beginnings of near-international isolation, at least regionally, from Russia, which no longer sees it as a major state, and from Iran, Arab nations, and some Islamic countries, each of which has suffered some form of betrayal from Erdoğan.
If Turkey is serious about finding a real solution to the Kurdish issue, the first and fundamental step must be to release Abdullah Öcalan, allowing him to express his position freely, without any
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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