There are no political traditions in Syria. It will need long accumulation of experiences in governance, opposition, and the transfer of power. With the anniversary of the Syrian revolution next month, the new authority will have completed one hundred days in power. The anniversary of the revolution has a different flavour this year, as it is expected to witness wide celebrations against the backdrop of the overthrow of Assad three months ago and a little over. The government is expected to announce many decisions and procedures before and on the eve of the anniversary.
There are many examples regarding what is expected during the month, such as the “National Dialogue Conference”, which recently announced the formation of its preparatory committee. It is not unlikely that invitations will be sent to those selected to be members of the conference. There is leaked news that work in the preparatory corridors precedes what is announced. The news of the dialogue conference competes with what has been confirmed at the highest levels regarding the formation of a transitional government next month. It was also pointed out that it will be a “positive” surprise. It is expected to be announced on the eve of the revolution anniversary, or very soon.
The expected news, which is no less important for many Syrians, its harbingers appeared three days ago with the news of the arrival of a Russian cargoplane carrying a huge amount of Syrian currency printed in Russia. The last few weeks have witnessed a rise in the exchange rate of the lira against the dollar, partly due to the scarcity of the lira supply caused by government’s delay in paying the salaries of its employees. According to recent news, liquidity may be available not only to pay the salaries due, but also to announce a pay hikes. An increase of 400 percent in salaries was promised recently.
We remind you that the new government was welcomed everywhere in the world, except by Iran. President Sharaa and his Foreign Minister gave a reassuring speech abroad. This can be described as a mutual declaration of good intentions between the two sides. Of course, the next transitional government will be under the microscope.
The list would be long if we want to enumerate what is expected, or required, from the new era after a hundred days of its existence. It would seem merciless to demand that it find solutions to crises, some of which are decades old. In any case, after a few weeks, attention will increasingly focus on actions and their results.
There will be demands greater than available capabilities. The most important thing, in the long run, is to reduce excessive centralisation, because the distribution of power from the top of the pyramid towards its base implicates a greater number of societal forces in responsibility.
Talking about a final honeymoon does not mean a dramatic coup at its end, but rather an affirmation of the natural path that must be taken. In the past 70 days, the atmosphere of celebration has prevailed over the fall of Assad. This is understandable in light of the joy of getting rid of a rule that lasted for more than half a century. A few months ago, despair spread about what is happening externally in terms of recycling it. It is logical that the celebrations will reach their peak on the anniversary of the revolution.
Perhaps the previous difficulties are exacerbated by the lack of clear data so far regarding the centre’s control over all Syrian territories. As for trying to answer the basic question of unifying the country, it leads us to ask about President Trump’s priorities in the first hundred days of his term!
[by Omar Kaddour in Al-Modon]
Compiled and translated by Faizul Haque