Ahmed al-Sharaa’s brother gets senior role in Syria government

The brother of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been appointed Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Syrian Republic, according to local media sources on Sunday.

Maher al-Sharaa, who previously served as acting health minister, will replace Abdul Rahman Salama in the new position. 

The new role is considered a senior position within the structure of the state presidency. It exists in several Arab countries, though its specific duties may vary slightly depending on the political and administrative system of each state. Broadly speaking, it involves managing the administrative and organisational affairs of the presidency.

The role also serves as a key link between the president and various state institutions. Maher will oversee the internal operations within the presidency, including managing the president’s schedule, arranging official meetings and visits, supervising staff and departments under the presidency, and handling official files. 

Additionally, the Secretary-General may represent the president at certain official functions and is responsible for relaying presidential directives and ensuring their implementation by government bodies.

Salama, who Maher has replaced, was previously a high-up official in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that led the rebel alliance that overthrew the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. He will be appointed to another as-yet unknown role in the government, according to sources speaking to The New Arab’s Arabic sister outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Maher was born in Damascus in 1973 and holds a PhD in medical sciences, specializing in gynaecological surgery, infertility treatment, and in vitro fertilisation. He also holds a diploma in health systems management. Between 2022 and 2023, he worked as a health advisor in hospitals in northern Syria.

His appointment could invite criticism of nepotism within the Syrian government. 

When Maher was appointed Health Minister in the government of Mohammad al-Bashir, some Syrian opposition groups expressed fears that the country could return to inheritance-style governance that was endemic within the Assad regime.