-
Syria: Between Dictatorship Production and an Uncertain Future
In a predictable yet ambiguous move, Mr. Maher al-Sharaa, brother of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has been appointed as Secretary-General of the Presidency. This appointment raises fundamental questions about the Syrian political landscape and clearly reflects what can be considered a return to "family dictatorship," reminiscent of previous models like Hafez al-Assad and his brother Rifaat, as well as Bashar al-Assad and Maher. It seems that Syria, far from being a state of institutions or the rule of law, is nearing a model of "family feudalism," where one family dominates the fate of the country.
This reality evokes the era of Assad's rule, which witnessed familial hegemony over the state’s apparatus, leading to the inheritance of power and its transformation into private property. Does this repetition of the same scenario, as if time had not changed, not raise a fundamental question? Are we facing a private family company, or a constitutional state where power is distributed according to constitutional and legal safeguards?
The story of Abu Al-Amyan, with its sharp humor, encapsulates a bitter Syrian reality. Abu Al-Amyan was walking alone when a skilled carpenter appeared on his right and a determined vendor on his left, yet the donkey refused to move. When Abu Al-Amyan inquired about the reason, a little girl surprised him with her cry: "If the donkey refuses to walk, what about the rest of the people, Abu Al-Amyan?!" This tale reflects, with humorous sorrow, the political stagnation suffered by the Syrian people, while citizens yearn for a long-awaited change, beginning with every step taken by the family that comes to power, controlling the state’s affairs without any signs of change on the horizon.
In light of this reality, a fundamental question arises about how to empower the Syrian people to aspire to a better future. Will the current situation, where the state is led by "the leader" and his family, continue? How can a real national state be built under the concentration of power in one family’s hands? The urgent need for real change in Syria requires the establishment of an institutional state based on law and constitution, moving away from the hegemony of the individual leader, leaving behind a backward legacy of “the leader lived, the leader died.”
Building a new Syria requires a clear vision of the rule of law, where laws are applied fairly and transparently, and independent institutions work to serve the people, free from the interests of individuals or families. These institutions must possess sufficient power to protect citizens' rights and build a just and democratic state—a state of human rights and citizenship where equality prevails among all.
Additionally, there must be a constitution that is respected and enforced at all levels, including the highest authorities. This new state should guarantee freedom of expression, political participation, and the safeguarding of civil rights for all citizens. Therefore, all state institutions must operate according to principles of independence, transparency, and accountability, with the responsibility of respecting and safeguarding the rights, stability, and security of citizens being the hallmark of an independent national judiciary, military, and national police, consistent with the best practices of military and security institutions in advanced countries.
In conclusion, building the future of Syria requires an effort that goes beyond merely changing positions; it necessitates a genuine political will to transform from a system based on one individual and one family to a state of institutions and law. Will the Syrians be able to achieve this transformation? Or will history repeat itself, and Syria remain at the mercy of the individual rule of a single family? The future remains to be seen, but we hold hope for a change in reality towards the better, and for the realization of Syrians’ dreams in a state that respects their rights and ensures them a bright future.
By political writer Ahmed Mansour
