The transitional phase offers a historic opportunity to rebuild Syria based on democracy, justice, and inclusivity, writes Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies [photo credit: Getty Images]
With the fall of the Assad regime on December 8 2024, the Syrian people took a monumental step toward emerging from a dark chapter in their modern history.
They now stand at the threshold of a critical transitional phase aimed at rebuilding the Syrian state following decades of authoritarian rule and 14 years of sacrifices.
These sacrifices demonstrated the Syrian people’s aspirations for freedom and dignity, leaving a profound impact on the structure of the state and the social fabric of the nation.
The transitional phase
This transitional phase represents an opportunity to lay the foundations for a new political system.
Such a system should not only seek to surpass the authoritarian regime that governed Syria for over half a century but also aim to prevent the emergence of any form of tyranny in the future.
This new political system should be rooted in the principles of good governance, popular participation, respect for citizens’ rights and freedoms, and the political, cultural, religious, and sectarian pluralism inherent in Syrian society.
However, the transitional phase comes with significant challenges, including the weakness and collapse of state institutions, particularly the military and security apparatus, a profound lack of trust among various social groups, and external interventions and Israeli attacks on Syrian territory.
Formation of a transitional body
To overcome these challenges, a clear and well-structured plan is required. Firstly, Syria will need the formation of a transitional governing body, which is an essential step. Without such a body, it will be difficult to ensure legitimate decision-making during the transitional phase or to provide the necessary legal legitimacy for governance.
Composition of the transitional body
This body should consist of both military and civilian figures selected based on explicit criteria to ensure competence and the ability to address the challenges of this critical phase. Its composition should reflect the collaborative efforts of: combatants who played a leading role in the defeat and overthrow of the Assad regime; technocrats with relevant expertise, and politicians with broad popular support, particularly those who actively opposed the Assad regime.
Given their crucial role in managing the transition, the council should be chaired by the head of military operations.Â
This transitional body would need, therefore, to have several responsibilities, including: ensuring security and stability by establishing a framework for the professional restructuring of security apparatuses and rebuilding the national army by overseeing the collection of weapons from armed factions and integrating their members into the newly formed national army. It should also manage foreign affairs by supervising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and prioritise the establishment of international relations that serve Syria’s national interests, and help supervise the caretaker government by overseeing the formation of an interim government responsible for daily state administration, the provision of basic services, and maintaining security.
The transitional body would also need to be responsible for legislative duties, including exercising extraordinary legislative authority to address the legal legacies of the previous regime.
This might include: the issuing a temporary constitutional declaration; repealing repressive laws, such as emergency and counterterrorism legislation, and abolishing any provisions that grant immunity to public officials, ensuring accountability; enacting transitional legislation, such as laws governing elections, political parties; and the establishment of a national transitional justice commission, and drafting foundational legislation to restructure security and judicial institutions to guarantee their neutrality and independence.
Criteria for membership
The selection and criteria of transitional body members should be guided by the following principles.
First, professional competence and experience. Members should have expertise in administration, security, and international relations, and a proven ability to function under extraordinary circumstances.
Second, integrity and independence: members must have clean records, free of corruption or involvement in the previous regime’s leadership. Third, commitment to revolutionary principles that uphold the values of freedom, dignity, and justice that motivated the Syrian revolution.
Fourth, national representation — the transitional body should ensure diverse representation from all Syrian communities and societal groups. Fifth, adherence to democratic values — members should respect the rule of law and political pluralism, while actively promoting broad national participation.
And finally, flexibility and teamwork — members should demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively within a diverse and multidisciplinary team.
Mechanisms for selection
To select members, the following methods should be adopted.
Firstly, consensus and consultations which hold intensive discussions among national forces, led by military operations leadership, to achieve a broad consensus.
Secondly, recommendation committees which help establish committees to verify candidates’ credentials and professional experience.
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The caretaker government, supervised by the transitional body, should also play a pivotal role in stabilising the lives of citizens and laying the groundwork for Syria’s reconstruction on a sound foundation.
The objectives of the caretaker government should focus on: first, daily management of the state, overseeing essential services, providing basic goods, and reviving critical sectors such as health and education.
Second, infrastructure rehabilitation by helping to rebuild essential utilities such as water and electricity networks.
Third, the caretaker government should be in charge of institutional reorganisation by enhancing the efficiency and transparency of government institutions to ensure equal access to services across all regions. It should also be in charge of emergency relief efforts by addressing the needs of displaced and vulnerable populations by providing shelter, food, and healthcare.
Finally, the caretaker government ought to be tasked with providing the economic foundations for reconstruction by developing policies to combat inflation, reduce unemployment, and revive agriculture. It should be in charge of reconstruction projects, including launching initiatives to rebuild roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals; economic sector revival by supporting the resumption of industrial and agricultural activities to ensure food security and economic recovery, and social cohesion and political engagement by promoting inclusivity, freedom of expression, and active citizen participation in decision-making.
Constitutional Declaration
The constitutional declaration will serve as a legal reference during the transitional phase. It will outline citizens’ rights, establish oversight mechanisms, and provide the transitional body with extraordinary legislative powers.
National Conference
The transitional body should also organise a comprehensive national conference to unify national efforts and define Syria’s future.
This conference will help bring together representatives from all societal groups, political entities, and civil society organisations to formulate a shared vision for Syria’s reconstruction.
Drafting a new constitution
The drafting of a new constitution will be a fundamental step in building a democratic, law-based state that ensures justice and inclusivity for all Syrians.
The constitution will help: define the structure of the state and its institutions; guarantee the separation of powers and the peaceful transfer of authority; safeguard human rights to ensure equality and participation for all components of society, and establish mechanisms for transitional justice and reconciliation.
Elections
Free and fair elections will also help mark the culmination of the transitional phase, legitimising new leadership and launching a stable era of governance.
The transitional phase offers a historic opportunity to rebuild Syria based on democracy, justice, and inclusivity.
Its success depends on national unity, clear strategies, and international support, ultimately paving the way for a prosperous and stable future for all Syrians.
The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies is an independent social sciences and humanities institute that conducts applied and theoretical research seeking to foster communication between Arab intellectuals and specialists and global and regional intellectual hubs.
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