Syria: opposition tries to speak with one voice and calls for negotiations with Damascus
The Syrian opposition united this weekend in Geneva called Sunday, June 4, for the resumption of talks with the regime. Already undermined by divisions, this coalition of seven political forces is trying to speak with one voice to remedy its even stronger weakening since the return of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the Arab League.
Protesters wave the Syrian opposition flag during a rally against the normalization of diplomatic relations between Damascus, the Arab League and its members, here in the rebel-controlled town of Azaz, May 19, 2023. © Khalil Ashawi / Reuters
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They hadn't met again for nearly three and a half years. Throughout the weekend, the seven components of the Syrian opposition held a series of meetings: a common document emerged.
«
The international, regional contexts" and the situation in Syria "are conducive to the resumption of direct negotiations [...] within a specific program and timeline "said in a statement published Sunday, June 4, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) which brings together the main representatives of the opposition to the Syrian regime. At the end of a two-day meeting in Geneva, the HNC called for "support for the efforts of the United Nations" to take the necessary steps towards a "comprehensive political solution", in accordance with this UN resolution.
«
Today, we do not claim to represent all Syrians, but we want to relay the demands of the people, explains Dima Moussa, a member of the Syrian national coalition, joined by RFI. Syrians must be able to choose their destiny and this was endorsed in 2015 by a UN resolution, 22/54, which must lead us to a political process. »
The opposition is therefore calling for the resumption of talks with the regime under the auspices of the UN. But can Bashar al-Assad, back in the Arab fold and therefore in a position of strength, accept? The HNC considered that the reintegration of the regime into the Arab fold carried "the risk" that the regime would reject any political solution. The countries of the region must then force the hand of the Syrian president, Dima Moussa insists:
« We must ensure that there are quid pro quos for Syria's resumption of diplomatic relations with its neighbours. They must force the regime to move towards a political solution and obtain guarantees on the return of Syrian refugees. A return that must be voluntary, safe and dignified. »
From the many supporters of the opposition to the absent subscribers
But the opposition is counting its supporters. While Qatar or Egypt were in Geneva this weekend, neither Saudi Arabia nor the United Arab Emirates sent delegations. The two traditional sponsors of the opposition have resumed diplomatic relations with Syria.
Because the Syrian opposition has lost much of its influence and the support it enjoyed from the countries of the region. In a regional context of diplomatic rapprochement, the Arab League reintegrated in May the Syrian regime, ostracized since 2011 because of the repression in 2011 of the popular uprising triggered in the wake of the Arab Spring and which degenerated into civil war.
Turkey, the main backer of the rebels controlling parts of northern Syria, has also shown signs of rapprochement with Bashar al-Assad.
► READ ALSO: In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia poses as a unifier of the "Arab family"
(
and with AFP)
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- Syria
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