Egyptian Researcher: Acceptance of democracy essential for peace process in Turkey

Dr. Ali Thabet Sabry, an Egyptian academic and researcher specializing in identity affairs, affirmed that Leader Abdullah Ocalan is “a philosopher of peace in the Middle East par excellence,” noting that his project of the Democratic Nation represents the true way out of the region’s crises.

In a statement to ANHA agency, Ali Thabet Sabry highlighted the role played by Leader Abdullah Ocalan in the Peace and Democratic Society Process, reviewing the dimensions of “leader Ocalan thought” and the challenges facing regional stability.

From Struggle to the Philosophy of Social Peace

Sabry explained: “Since the 1970s, Leader Abdullah Ocalan has carried the banner of struggle for a free Kurdistan, and many indeed believed in the leader ideas, which represented the living cry of the Kurds for existence.”

He added that Leader Abdullah Ocalan addressed in his theses all philosophical theories related to the formation of society, the role of individuals in safeguarding their rights, and the means of peaceful coexistence. These ideas later crystallized into the project of the Democratic Nation.

Sabry pointed out that “the leader thought” has been distinguished by great flexibility and adaptation to the circumstances imposed on the region, emphasizing that Abdullah Ocalan’s vision for peace had been present from the beginning—from the 1990s up to the historic declaration of 27 February 2025.

He cited the concrete steps taken through the dissolution of the organizational structures of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), saying they proved the sincerity of Kurdish intentions in transferring the issue to the political track.

Sabry also noted that Leader Abdullah Ocalan addressed the Kurdish people from Imrali across the four parts of Kurdistan, urging them to adhere to democracy regardless of circumstances, as this process would lead nation-states to transform into democratic republics, with leader Ocalan as its chief negotiator.

Sabry said: “Leader Abdullah Ocalan, through his latest call, announced peace and democratic society as an effective and rapid solution before the great collapse.”

Political and Legal Challenges Obstruct the Process

Ali Thabet Sabry identified a number of fundamental challenges hindering the peace process in Turkey, including the absence of political will to resolve the Kurdish issue. He pointed to the lack of genuine will on the part of the Turkish system in this regard, stressing that results remain “zero” despite steps taken on the ground.

In addition to what he described as the rigidity of the Turkish mentality, he criticized “the rigidity in accepting the other” as an obstacle to the progress of the process. He argued that the Turkish component acquired its intolerance from the tools of capitalist modernity—the nation-state—and stressed the need for a “mental revolution” to coincide with political moves.

Sabry said: “The Kurds who followed Leader Abdullah Öcalan have overcome the historical Kurdish mistakes made during the Sheikh سعيد uprising. Therefore, the Turkish state must be cautious, because deception has become difficult or nearly impossible amid the redrawing of the Middle East map.”

He affirmed that accepting democracy is an essential condition for the success of the process, and that Turkey must reconcile with its history and grant the Kurdish people their rights within the framework drawn by Leader Abdullah Ocalan.

He also warned against narrow partisan interests inside Turkey and criticized the Turkish parliament’s slowness in shaping a democratic future, adding that “the luxury of time no longer exists.”

Steps to Ease the Political Atmosphere

On how to prepare the political climate, Ali Thabet Sabry stressed that the starting point lies in securing the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, issuing laws that guarantee the integration of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters into political life, and drafting a participatory Turkish constitution that recognizes the identity of the other.

He added that the success of this experience in Turkey would directly affect the situation in Syria, praising the Autonomous Administration experiment as one that reflects the spirit of peaceful coexistence. He also pointed to the possibility of benefiting from this model in resolving conflicts in Yemen, Sudan, and Libya.

International and Regional Role

The Egyptian academic stressed that the role of the international community must be central through supporting “the right to hope” and pressuring the Turkish administration.

Regionally, he noted that the outbreak of the American-Israeli war against Iran was like a whistle signaling the start of drawing new features for the region, making Turkey’s stability dependent on resolving the Kurdish issue and achieving the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Ocalan.

In conclusion, Ali Thabet Sabry said: “If conditions are prepared, we will soon see Leader Abdullah Ocalan in the Turkish parliament addressing the peoples of the Middle East about coexistence and partnership, laying the foundation stone for a democratic civilization that will liberate everyone, respect women and the environment, and serve as the launching point for a democratic Middle East.”

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ANHA