A milestone meeting in Damascus brings together Syrians from all walks of life to contribute ideas for a new government and the country’s future, but critics question the process and representation.
The city of Damascus witnessed a significant event this week, as Syrians from all walks of life gathered at the People’s Palace to contribute ideas for a new government and the country’s future. Despite criticism, many saw the milestone meeting as a positive step towards transformation.
Located in Western Asia, Syria is a country with a rich history dating back to ancient times.
It shares borders with Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon.
The country has a diverse geography, featuring deserts, mountains, and coastal regions along the Mediterranean Sea.
With a population of over 18 million people, Syria's economy was once driven by agriculture and manufacturing.
However, the ongoing civil war since 2011 has devastated the country, leading to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises.
A New Government in Sight
Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with 600 Syrian delegates attending the National Dialogue conference. The attendees were meant to guide the process of establishing an inclusive transitional government that reflects Syria’s diversity. ‘free and fair elections’ was announced by Al-Sharaa as a process leading to.
A Diverse Gathering
The conference was attended by Syrians from different backgrounds, including men and women, young and old, people from various religions, Muslim, Christian, Druze, and more. Despite the diversity, some attendees questioned whether all those who should have been there actually were represented.
The Syrian population is predominantly Arab, with around 90% of the population identifying as ethnic Arabs.
The majority of Syrians are Sunni Muslims (87%), while Shia Muslims make up a smaller percentage (13%).
The country also has significant Christian and Alawite populations.
According to the CIA World Factbook, Syria's population growth rate is approximately 2.7% per annum, with an estimated 18 million people as of 2020.
Urbanization is on the rise, with around 56% of Syrians living in cities.
Plans for a New Government
Syria’s foreign minister announced in mid-February that a new, more representative government would be chosen in early March. The interim government currently running the country was chosen by rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the December assault that ousted Assad’s regime.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a militant Islamist group operating in Syria.
Formed in January 2017, it emerged from the merger of two prominent Syrian rebel groups: Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and other factions.
HTS has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the 'United States' , 'Russia' , and 'Saudi Arabia' .
The group's primary goals include establishing an Islamic state and combating what it perceives as Western influence in Syria.
HTS has been involved in various conflicts, including battles with government forces and rival rebel groups.
The Conference Proceedings
The 600 attendees were split into working groups to focus on six topics: Constitutional framework, transitional justice, institutional or economic reform, public and personal freedoms, and Syria’s territorial unity. Each group discussed one of these topics, with some critics arguing that the conclusions were simply a rehashing of previous discussions.
Criticism and Concerns
Some attendees questioned the way the meeting was organized, citing a lack of transparency in selecting participants and a tight time frame for the conference. Critics also argued that the international community’s pressure to move quickly had compromised the process.
What Happens Next?
Although the results of the National Dialogue conference are nonbinding, they will be taken into consideration by the preparatory committee. A statement was prepared at the end of the conference emphasizing the rejection of all forms of ‘discrimination’ and respect for human rights. The litmus test of whether this conference is successful lies in whether or not the recommendations produced by the delegates will be taken into consideration and adopted in transitional arrangements.
A Long Journey Ahead
Some critics argued that the National Dialogue should have been a much longer process, with more time and space given to Syrians to contribute. Others blamed the international community for putting pressure on Syria’s interim leaders to move quickly, making the lifting of sanctions contingent on a new government.
