On May 12, a marked date of a significant imprint, the Kurdistan workers’ party (PKK) announced its dissolution, thus signifying the end of an armed struggle of more than forty years against the Turkish state, a war that cost more than 40,000 people. This historic turning point arouses fundamental questions concerning the future of the Kurdish issue and the potential of political solutions in a region that has been marked by deep tensions and persistent violence.
The PKK press release, relayed by the Prokurde Anf agency, indicates that the movement considers that it has fulfilled its “historic mission”. An affirmation which seems to reflect an awareness of changing dynamics at the regional and international level. The mention that the Kurdish question can now be resolved by “democratic policies” challenges. This raises questions about the conditions necessary for such a transition to actually occurs.
Historically, the PKK was at the center of a struggle that has evolved over the decades, from a search for autonomy to wider calls for linguistic and cultural rights within Turkey. Peace negotiations, like those that started in 2013 but collapsed a few years later, testify to the ambitions of the movement, but also the unsurpassable obstacles that the two parties seem to have encountered.
What could be the repercussions of this announcement on the field? On the one hand, some could see an opportunity for a renewed dialogue between the Kurds and the Turkish state. On the other hand, skepticisms remain as to the possible reactions of pro-Kurdish factions or opposition groups which could perceive this dissolution as a betrayal or an end of commitment to challenges that remain pressing.
This event also has broader implications in the regional context. Relations between Turkey and neighboring countries, especially with regard to the management of ethnic minorities, could be redefined in the light of this evolution. How will Turkey’s external policies towards Kurds in Syria or Iraq be influenced by this change? It is essential to explore how Kurdish aspirations, not only in Türkiye but also in the wider region, will be taken into account in future political discussions.
Education, as a vector of integration and mutual understanding, could play a crucial role in the culturalization of the rights of the Kurds in Türkiye. Historical recognition of past injustices could also be a necessary step towards sustainable reconciliation. This raises the question of the commitment of the Turkish authorities to create an environment where dialogue and inclusion become the norm.
The dissolution of the PKK is not just a simple starting point or an end in itself. It represents an introspective moment for the Kurds, but also for the Turkish state and its citizens. What lessons can be learned from this struggle in order to build a future where peaceful coexistence could be favored? Stakeholders must think about the mechanisms that could be put in place to promote a real peace process, including inclusive, educational and economic policies.
Finally, this announcement could hopefully generate a new chapter, not only in Kurdish history but also in the history of Turkey. The key may be in the ability of both parties to be seen beyond the years of conflict and to seek constructive solutions, anchored in human dignity and the respect of fundamental rights. It is a call for collective action for a real dialogue, a necessity that could transform decades of suffering into a path to reconciliation.