The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) held its 12th Extraordinary Congress between May 5 and 7 following Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s February 27 ‘Call for Peace and a Democratic Society’ to disband and disarm.

Cemil Bayık, co-chair of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council and one of the founding members of the PKK, said the following:

“As the comrades know, I was there at the beginning of this movement. Comrade Kemal Pir introduced me to Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan]. Before I met Leader Apo, I did not understand Kurdistan, the Kurdish people, or myself. Once I understood Leader Apo—that is, after seeing him and speaking with him—I began to understand Kurdistan, the Kurdish people, and my own identity. For this reason, from the very beginning until now, I have taken Leader Apo as a basis.

Even though my journey was not the kind that Leader Apo wanted, and even though I made many mistakes and had many shortcomings, I never took a step back. I wanted to eliminate my shortcomings and mistakes and be worthy of Leader Apo.

Just as Leader Apo filled me with great excitement and enthusiasm when I first met him, I experienced the same enthusiasm and morale as when the PKK party was founded. In fact, I can say that I felt even more morale and enthusiasm.

Now we have held a congress. At this congress, we also took decisions on the dissolution of the PKK and the end of the armed struggle. As a founder of this movement, I am excited about this. Because I understand Leader Apo very well. Every step Leader Apo has taken so far has resulted in victory for us, for our people, for our movement, and for humanity. This is why there is a great deal of trust in Leader Apo within the movement and among the people. Belief in Leader Apo is growing worldwide. Just as I came to know myself through Leader Apo and continued my journey accordingly, if I were to come to this world again, I would once again take Leader Apo as a basis. In short, that is what I can say. Long live Leader Apo, long live the PKK.”