Is Mustafa Akinci the best hope yet for a solution to the Cyprus problem?
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Version 0 of 1. When Mustafa Akinci took to the podium for his first speech as the new leader of the Turkish Cypriots waving an olive branch, it became obvious that his victory was a clear message of reconciliation from the northern part of Cyprus. With negotiations with Greek Cypriots restarting soon, the change in Turkish Cypriot leadership raises the question one more time: can the Cyprus problem be resolved? The Republic of Cyprus became independent as a state of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in 1960. But after the failure of the two sides to cooperate and the conflict that culminated in the war of 1974, the island was divided into two zones: in the south the Republic of Cyprus, now exclusively led by Greek Cypriots, and in the north the self-declared Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus, which remains unrecognised and relies on the military, economic and political support of Turkey. Over the years, the two communities have unsuccessfully tried to reunify based on a federation. Related: Mustafa Akinci wins northern Cyprus presidential election The new leftist leader Akinci supports the efforts for a new federal Cyprus, which is why he is regarded as a “moderate” on the Cyprus problem. At the other end of the political spectrum stand more “hardline” politicians, such as the defeated conservative Derviş Eroğlu, who are less flexible in negotiations and often gravitate more towards looser federal arrangement, a clearly separate Turkish Cypriot state and increased links with Turkey. Akinci is not new to compromise politics in Cyprus. During the 1980s, as mayor of the Turkish municipality of Nicosia, he worked with his Greek Cypriot counterpart to address a series of issues in the capital. Later, he founded the Peace and Democracy Movement to promote reunification based on the Annan plan, the UN proposal for a federation and consequent accession of a united Cyprus into the EU. The proposal was approved by Turkish Cypriots but rejected by Greek Cypriots, who entered the EU alone. When I met him a few years later, Akinci continued to see EU integration as a remedy to the Turkish Cypriots’ international isolation. Akinci’s desire for a solution is also reflected in his views on the relationship between Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. During the past few years Turkey’s involvement in north Cyprus has increased, not least in the form of promoting Islam through education and the construction of mosques. But unlike many Turkish Cypriot politicians, such as his predecessor Eroğlu, Akinci’s loyalties lie more with Cyprus than Turkey. During his campaign, he challenged Ankara’s role by saying that the relationship between north Cyprus and Turkey should be one of “brothers and sisters” rather than of “a motherland and her child”, which has been the mantra of Turkish governments and of the current president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who rebuffed Akinci’s remarks after his victory. Related: The Guardian view on the prospects for a Cyprus settlement | Editorial The outcome of the election can be seen as a Turkish Cypriot message of reconciliation, but also as a reflection of unease with the involvement of Turkey in north Cyprus. The Cyprus problem and the role of Ankara took centre stage in the campaign, especially during the last week when the moderate Akinci and the hardliner Eroğlu fought for the second round. When it finally became obvious that Akinci had won the race, people took to the streets carrying flags of the EU rather than those of the self-declared Turkish Cypriot state or even of Turkey, which are more popular among hardliners. Some supporters of Akinci called Greek Cypriots to cross the border of the divided capital and join the celebrations. For a moment, the atmosphere was reminiscent of that of 2004, when Turkish Cypriots rallied behind reunification and EU accession. So what are the chances that the Cyprus problem will be resolved this time round? The experience of 2004 shows that whatever happens in northern Cyprus, Greek Cypriots also need convincing. But this is not to downplay the difference that Akinci’s victory could make. Akinci is a rather different leader, and he is expected to focus on the role of society in reconciliation rather than on just the official negotiations. That’s why he advocates the opening of the ghost town of Famagusta – a move that is viewed positively by many Greek Cypriots – which he thinks could bring economic benefits to both sides and create momentum towards a resolution. To what extent these confidence-building measures will bring a solution to the decades-long dispute closer remains to be seen. But, for now, one thing is certain: Akinci is the most reconciliation-minded leader his Greek Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades could have as a negotiating partner. Who knows? Maybe the fact they both come from Limassol could play a positive role too. • This article was amended on 29 April 2015. An earlier version described the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as its prime minister. |