Journalist from As-Suwayda warns of attempts to drag the demonstrations into violence

The people of Suwayda, southern Syria, continue their protests, demanding comprehensive political change in accordance with International Resolution 2,254 and "the overthrow of the regime."

Demonstrations are continuing and political demands are at the forefront

The journalist residing in As-Suwayda, Syria, Rawad Ballan, spoke about these demonstrations to ANHA's agency, saying: “The demonstrations are continuing in many towns and cities throughout As-Suwayda. As for the nature of the demands, there are political demands that are at the forefront of the scene and are related to the political solution to the Syrian crisis, in addition to the demand to overthrow the regime.” "It results from a feeling of helplessness because we do not have a political or civil life."

Ballan pointed out that “the common denominator between what is happening now and the events of 2011 is popular tension, which can be described as a spontaneous popular movement, and therefore we find that the demonstrators are demanding the overthrow of the regime and at the same time the implementation of Resolution 2,254, and from my point of view the two are the opposite of each other, as Resolution 2,254 stipulates the formation of a national unity government.” "Equally between the Syrian regime and the opposition, and therefore this decision drops the idea of overthrowing the regime, which we can describe as an emotional slogan as a result of the political situation the country has reached."

A bet on the continuation of the demonstrations and warnings of malicious intentions

Regarding the expected course of these demonstrations, Ballan indicated, “This is subject to the main players today. To what extent can the Syrian government respond to the demands of the street, pay attention to them, and work to radically address the causes, in addition to the forces driving the Syrian issue, whether internal, regional, or Internationally, and to this day, no signs or indications of any developments have emerged from it, and therefore the issue today is related to the ability of the protesters to continue their protest in light of all the economic, social and political pressures, as well as the back lines that the government or everyone who does not like this are working on, as well as those who try to push the street towards violence.”

He believed that "the problem today in Syria is that it has entered a state of political and economic stability, and therefore this situation prevents movement and is considered a time bomb, because it is a fertile ground for violent explosions and thus a violent movement can be created, and this is if we do not activate political life. The way out, I believe, today is to activate political and civil life." Transferring these social problems to the negotiating table, and from this table emerges joint mechanisms and joint work programs to find solutions to the Syrian crisis. Consequently, work has begun to solve the Syrian crisis, and this requires a real and effective will from the ruling authority in Damascus because it is an active and essential party in the process, and perhaps this will be based on To protect Syria and make it a sovereign state with a decision-making state based on citizenship, justice and democracy.”

The problem is in the mentality of government that rejects the other and nourishes national and sectarian fanaticism

Regarding the form of government system required for Syria, Ballan saw that “there is a radical relationship between the economy and politics, but we cannot say that the problem of the Syrians with the political system is that it is based solely on centralization. The problem is in the mentality of the government administration and the excessive dominance of the Ba'ath Party and its successors, the security services, over institutions.” The state and political representation, and the participation of one party in the various forces and society to manage its affairs. I believe that the problem today does not result from centralization, but rather from mismanagement of governance. Widespread corruption in all institutions, lack of sustainable development, and lack of real political participation.”

He explained that "the problem is in the mentality of governing with participation, accepting the other, and giving up part of the spaces with regard to political and civil work and real political representation. The problem is the lack of a transparent electoral system that ensures the arrival of true representatives of society. The problem is in consolidating the familial and tribal system and feeding nationalistic and sectarian fanaticism in light of the presence of a state that depends on these people and on societal symbols to manage society and to establish a patriarchal system to serve the unipolar political system, and there is a problem in the societal, political and authoritarian structure in Syria.”

He pointed out that to reconsider this structure, “we need political and civil activity based on a general solution. Individual solutions, I believe, are useless, and therefore we are looking today for Syrian proposals that are not based on the choices of individual blocs and groups, and the most important thing is that the dialogue be Syrian, and there is no any external interference in it, because it will rob Syria of the right to determine its will and rob it of its independence and sovereignty.”

T/ Satt.

ANHA