Latest news with #Disarmament
New York Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Kurdish Insurgent Group Says It Will End Conflict With Turkish State
A Kurdish group that has waged a bloody insurgency against the Turkish state for four decades said on Monday that it would lay down its arms and end the conflict, a decision that could reverberate across neighboring countries. The announcement by the Kurdistan Workers' Party, known by its Kurdish acronym, P.K.K., came a few months after its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, urged the group to disarm and disband. In his February message, he said the P.K.K.'s armed struggle had outlived its initial purpose. The P.K.K. began as a secessionist group that sought to create an independent state for Turkey's Kurdish minority. More recently, it has said that it sought greater rights for Kurds inside Turkey. In a statement on Monday, the group said it had 'carried the Kurdish issue to a level where it can be solved by democratic politics, and the P.K.K. has completed its mission in that sense.' The group said Mr. Ocalan should lead the process of disarming and it called on Turkey's Parliament to be part of it. The decision could end one of the most enduring security problems in Turkey and deliver a significant political victory to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The move could end a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The P.K.K.'s declaration could also have profound influence over other Kurdish militias, particularly in Syria, and shift regional dynamics beyond Turkey's borders. The Kurds — an ethnic group of roughly 40 million — are spread across Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. They were promised their own nation by world powers after World War I and have since launched various rebellions to claim that unfulfilled promise. In nearly every country where they live, Kurds have faced state-sponsored suppression of their language and culture. It was not immediately clear how the decision would affect the P.K.K. bases hidden in the mountainous areas of Iraq's northern Kurdish region. Turkey has repeatedly bombarded P.K.K. strongholds in northern Iraq, as well as the group's offshoot controlling the northeastern regions of Syria, branding them a terrorist threat near its borders. Turkish officials have insisted publicly that the government offered no concessions to the P.K.K. to persuade it to disarm. But officials from Turkey's main pro-Kurdish party have expressed hope that the government would expand cultural and educational rights for Kurds.
Zawya
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
United States (U.S.) Ambassador Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Partnership in the Southwest Region
From April 24–27, Ambassador Christopher J. Lamora completed his third visit to the Southwest Region, reaffirming the U.S. Embassy's enduring commitment to peace, prosperity, and partnership with Cameroon. The visit also highlighted the lasting friendship between the American and Cameroonian people, particularly via his visits with the Paramount Chiefs of both Limbe and Buea, and his participation in the Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF). Tangible Progress in Peace and Stability In his meeting with the Governor of the Southwest Region, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of peace and stability as cornerstones of sustainable development, acknowledging the government's efforts to improve the lives of its citizens in major towns in the region. Highlighting this theme, the Ambassador also visited the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) Center in Tiko. There, he met with Director Bernard Ngone, who described the center's efforts to reintegrating ex-combatants through vocational training, moral education, and strong collaboration with local communities. The Ambassador also visited Man O'War Base in Limbe, home to key units of Cameroon's Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR). In discussions with Colonel Henri Belinga, he heard about the BIR's strides in professionalizing its forces and enhancing training on the law of armed conflict and respect for internationally recognized human rights—underscoring the positive effects of the longstanding U.S.–Cameroon security partnership. Expanding Economic Ties: U.S. Seeks New Avenues for Cooperation While in Limbe, the Ambassador visited the Port Authority of Limbe, where he discussed infrastructure projects with the Deputy Director of the Transitional Administration, Thomas Ndive Mulongo. The proposed significant expansion of the Port of Limbe has the potential to make it the deepest seaport in West and Central Africa, capable of accommodating mega vessels and expanding trade opportunities. Discussions included the potential for public-private partnerships and ways to leverage U.S. expertise in maritime risk management and port operations. In Buea, Ambassador Lamora engaged with dynamic entrepreneurs from 'Silicon Mountain,' Cameroon's growing tech hub. During a roundtable held at the American Corner Buea (housed at the University of Buea), he exchanged ideas with local startups and representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce, the American Council for Africa, and American Liaison in Africa. Their discussions focused on improving the investment climate and expanding U.S.–Cameroon business ties. The renowned the Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF) offered an additional opportunity to promote economic and cultural cooperation in the region. While speaking on a panel at CAMIFF, the Ambassador emphasized the film industry's vital contribution to local economies. He applauded CAMIFF Founder Gilbert Agbor Ebot for fostering collaborations between Cameroonian and American filmmakers, highlighting the induction of American actress Vanessa E. Williams into the CAMIFF Wall of Fame and the screening of Superman Doesn't Steal, an award-winning short film by American filmmaker Tamika Lamison that took home CAMIFF's award for best short film. Ambassador Supports Community-Led Development Recognizing the vital role of traditional leaders, Ambassador Lamora met with the Paramount Chiefs of Buea and Limbe, who conferred honors upon him and shared updates on their community-driven initiatives, including waste management, workforce development, and other local priorities. He also visited the Limbe Wildlife Center, where he praised its conservation efforts—not only for protecting Cameroon's rich biodiversity but also for supporting public health education, enhancing community livelihoods and instilling respect for the environment in Cameroon's next generation. United States Sustains Health Achievements For his final stop in the Southwest Region, the Ambassador visited Mutengene Baptist Hospital, a key health partner supported over many years by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There, he witnessed firsthand the impact of the United States' 133 million FCFA investment in HIV and TB care. Thanks to this support, the hospital—which serves more than 122,000 patients annually—continues to provide life-saving services to people living with HIV and now stands as the largest facility of its kind in the region. Acknowledging the collective effort behind these achievements, the Ambassador reaffirmed the United States' long-term commitment to strengthening health security in Cameroon. This visit underscored that, as stability takes hold, the Southwest Region is unlocking new opportunities for dynamic U.S.–Cameroon collaboration. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Cameroon.
