Syria’s national dialogue conference starts Monday, aiming to shape the post-Assad political landscape. Workshops will cover key topics like transitional justice and institutional reform. Nonbinding recommendations will be provided to new leaders. The event faced uncertainty until last minute, with participation expected from a diverse range of citizens, while the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have not been invited.
A long-anticipated national dialogue conference in Syria will commence on Monday, aiming to outline the country’s political future following the ousting of former President Bashar Assad. The primary session is scheduled for Tuesday, where various workshops will address crucial topics, including transitional justice, the development of a new constitution, institutional reforms, personal freedoms, civil society roles, and economic issues.
The results of this dialogue will generate nonbinding recommendations intended for Syria’s new leadership. Although the concept of the conference had been promised shortly after Assad’s fall during a rapid rebel military offensive in December, it faced uncertainty until the last moment, with the conference date announced just a day prior.
Hassan al-Daghim, the spokesperson for the organizing committee, had indicated two days earlier that the conference date was undecided, as discussions were still ongoing among citizens. He also noted that participant numbers remained undetermined, possibly ranging between 400 and 1,000.
On the preceding Sunday, the committee reported conducting over 30 provincial meetings that engaged approximately 4,000 individuals, aimed at ensuring diverse representation from various sectors of Syrian society, according to the state-run news agency SANA. Input from these meetings highlighted demands for a provisional constitutional declaration, economic initiatives, governmental restructuring, citizen engagement in institutional management, and reforms for greater security and stability.
Following Assad’s toppling, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the leading rebel faction currently governing Syria, established an interim administration largely composed of its “salvation government” members, which had previously governed in northwestern areas. HTS indicated that a new government would be formed through a process of inclusivity by March. Furthermore, in January, Ahmad al-Sharaa from HTS was appointed as Syria’s interim president.
A consensus emerged among former rebel factions to nullify the existing constitution, disband the prior national army and security service, and dissolve official political parties. The armed groups involved in the meetings also resolved to disband themselves, integrating their members into a newly established national army and security forces. Notably, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces were excluded from participation in the national dialogue, which holds influence in northeastern Syria.
The national dialogue conference in Syria represents a significant step towards redefining the political landscape following the fall of Bashar Assad. The upcoming discussions will cover vital aspects of governance and societal structure, with an inclusive approach encouraged by the organizing committee. However, the absence of certain factions, such as the Syrian Democratic Forces, underscores ongoing divisions within the country.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
