Syria's New Era: National Dialogue Conference Marks a Turning Point

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa declares a "historic" moment for rebuilding, while the process faces critiques of exclusion and haste.

In a significant step towards reshaping Syria's political landscape, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed a national dialogue conference, asserting that the country stands at a "historic" juncture following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Al-Sharaa emphasized the necessity for armed factions to disarm and integrate into a unified state military, highlighting the theme that Syria's "strength lies in its unity."

The conference, attended by 600 delegates, was designed to gather recommendations on pressing issues such as transitional justice, constitutional reform, and economic revitalization, which would inform the forthcoming transitional government scheduled to commence its duties on Saturday. However, the event has sparked controversy due to the absence of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their affiliated administration, a decision criticized by several political entities who argue that it undermines the inclusive dialogue essential for national healing.

Al-Sharaa proclaimed that "Syria liberated itself on its own," urging participants to seize the unique opportunity for renewal. He outlined the establishment of six working groups aimed at addressing key topics, including institutional reform and civil rights, with the intention of producing recommendations for the new government. Amidst these discussions, al-Sharaa proposed the creation of a transitional justice body tasked with redressing grievances and holding accountable those responsible for atrocities during the prolonged civil conflict.

Despite these assertions of commitment toward unity, concerns linger regarding the viability of achieving a cohesive state framework. The SDF and its supporters have denounced their exclusion from the dialogue, with a spokesperson alleging that the conference is tailored to satisfy external powers rather than genuinely reflecting the aspirations of the Syrian populace.

Advocates for inclusivity, like Moutasem Sioufi of The Day After, contend that true progress can only be realized through broad-based engagement encompassing all Syrian factions, particularly those wielding significant influence on the ground.

The international community remains keenly observant of the conference's outcomes, having emphasized the need for an inclusive political approach that respects the diverse ethnic and religious makeup of the country. Concurrently, Western nations have eased some sanctions tied to humanitarian assistance and reconstruction in anticipation of Syria's new leadership ensuring rights for minorities and a transition towards democracy.

During the conference, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani took the opportunity to critique ongoing international sanctions, describing them as "illegitimate" and counterproductive to the nation’s recovery. Meanwhile, the landscape remains complex, with HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, still facing international sanctions due to its classified terrorist status.

As Syria embarks on this pivotal phase, the interplay between unification efforts and the call for inclusivity will be crucial in determining the nation's path forward, as it grapples with the shadows of its tumultuous past.