PEACE FOR SYRIA

The fighters who ousted Bashar al-Assad have begun their most difficult task yet. Toppling a government is one thing, but rebuilding it after total destruction is another thing quite challenging. In overthrowing the Al-Assad Government, it was better to limit the destruction of civilian infrastructure to make rebuilding Syria easier. Striking a balance between power sharing, managing key stakeholders, maintaining law and order, and providing basic services will determine the future of Syria. Democracy creates chaos and rivalry for power and opportunities for opposing interest groups. Avoid empowering marginalized groups hastily and punishing old ruling elites without due independent legal process – this could be a blind spot for newcomers and reformermists in Syria.

Remember what had happened with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the disintegration of Yugoslavia, the tribal wars in Somalia, the ragime change in Iraq, Arab spring in Libya, and the list goes on.

Syria should make peace within itself quickly. Every effort must be made to avoid inviting international peacekeeping forces, thus escaping Chapter VII of the UN Charter.  Chapter VII, a trap into which the warlords of the Somali Civil War, who didn’t think outside their tribal world views, have fallen.

I just wish peace and prosperity for our Syrian Muslims, Christians, Sunnis, Shiites, Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, and Circassians brothers and sisters.

Ahmed Siad
November 9, 2024