The national dialogue conference in Syria begins Monday, aimed at shaping the political future after Bashar Assad’s fall. Key topics include transitional justice and constitutional reform, with outcomes relegated to nonbinding recommendations for new leaders. Planning ahead was intensive albeit last minute, and there is uncertainty regarding participant numbers and inclusivity, particularly concerning the Kurdish forces.
The national dialogue conference in Syria, which aims to establish a new political framework following the ouster of former President Bashar Assad, is set to commence on Monday. The main session is scheduled for Tuesday, featuring workshops focused on critical issues such as transitional justice, crafting a new constitution, institutional reform, civil liberties, civil society’s role, and economic strategies.
This conference’s resolutions, anticipated to be formed through discussions among 400 to 1,000 participants, will yield nonbinding recommendations for future leaders. Although the date was updated just prior to the beginning, planning has been underway since Assad’s removal, which occurred during a rapid rebel offensive in December.
In the lead-up to this event, over 30 meetings were conducted throughout various provinces of Syria, involving approximately 4,000 citizens to ensure a wide representation of different societal groups, according to state-run news agency SANA. Discussion points included advocating for a temporary constitutional declaration, economic reforms, and restructuring government sectors to improve security and stability.
Following Assad’s departure, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a leading former rebel faction, established an interim government predominantly comprised of its members. Former HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa was appointed interim president after consensus among most rebel groups to dissolve existing state structures, including the constitution and military. Notably, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have not been invited to participate in the dialogue.
The upcoming national dialogue conference in Syria represents a significant opportunity to redefine the nation’s political landscape post-Assad. With the engagement of a diverse array of participants, the conference’s outcomes may impact the future governance structure, economic policies, and societal integration in Syria. However, the absence of certain groups, such as the Kurdish forces, raises questions about the inclusiveness and representativeness of the dialogue process.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
