Syrian writer describes his experience of AA; stresses that decentralization does not mean division

Syrian writer Diaa Iskandar emphasized in an interview with ANHA's agency that administrative decentralization preserves the rights of all religious, national, ethnic, and sectarian components in Syria. He praised the "unique" experience of autonomous administration and called for studying this experience to draw lessons from it and attempt to present it to the other Syrian provinces.

Diaa Iskander shed light on the history of the emergence of the decentralized system, saying: "The decentralized system appeared recently in the twentieth century, and it means the distribution of powers between the central government and the regions, whether they are provinces, states, or territories, so that these regions or these mini-governments are concerned with their local affairs."

Iskander mentioned that many countries have implemented the decentralized system globally, such as France, Italy, Spain, and Japan. In the Arab world, it was implemented in the Maghreb countries, Algeria, and Tunisia after the fall of Zine El Abidine, and in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Iskander regretted the characterization by some that the decentralized system poses a danger to the unity of the country and could lead to its division, pointing out that this statement is illogical. He mentioned examples from Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, and added: "Many countries have implemented decentralization, and some have adopted federalism, which is a broader system than decentralization. Nevertheless, these countries remained united, and there is no fear for their unity at all."

 “Administrative decentralization preserves the rights of all components, religious, national, ethnic and racial,” Diaa Iskander explained. “Local administration was previously dealt with during the era of Bashar al-Assad and his father, but it was a formal system, meaning that the central authority was the one that controlled the so-called (elected) municipal and provincial councils. We all know how elections were conducted during the Baath era. The central authority controlled the small details in these councils, whether they were municipalities or provinces, and dictated to them what pleased it, without taking into account the needs of the regions. Consequently, these local administrations were not able to carry out the tasks assigned to them.”

He added: "There was a lot of favoritism towards certain parties within these administrations through the corruption that was happening at that time, giving a municipality more than its due because of its political loyalty, and withholding this budget perhaps from another province due to its positions or dissatisfaction with the performance of this administration."

Regarding the factors that hinder the implementation of the decentralized system in Syria, Iskander explained: "Unfortunately, there is a significant lack of awareness among Syrian citizens regarding the issue of decentralization, due to media blackout on the positive aspects of the experience, with a focus on its drawbacks as perceived by some. Additionally, the term decentralization has been associated with fears of division, which threatens the unity of the nation. Furthermore, the complex situation in Syria due to regional and international interventions, which may support or oppose the implementation of decentralization for political or strategic reasons."

He saw that Syrians could be reassured about the decentralized system by clarifying its concept, emphasizing that it is not synonymous with secession or the fragmentation of the country's unity. Additionally, extensive seminars and explanations could be held on this concept, demonstrating that the call for decentralization ensures the unity of the country.

He continued: "It is essential that the constitution includes guarantees to ensure that the implementation of the decentralized system does not lead to the division of the country. Since decentralization may raise some concerns initially, the transition to it can be implemented gradually, through specific and clear stages for everyone, so that citizens are reassured that the process is proceeding safely and without sudden changes that might cause anxiety."

He added: "Since some Syrians may feel hesitant about the term 'decentralization,' another commonly accepted term can be used, such as 'expanded local governance system.' It should also be understood that decentralization aims to serve regions, districts, or states, so that the central authority in the capital does not control decision-making related to the affairs of these areas."

The Syrian writer Diaa Iskander pointed to the situation after the popular movement that took place in 2011 and what followed, and added: “Several governorates in the country witnessed experiments in the field of decentralized local administration, such as Daraa and As-Suwayda, and in Idlib there was the Salvation Government, but the most prominent experiment was in North and East Syria, as it occupies approximately a third of the country’s geographical area, and includes about 4/5 million people.”

Iskander described the administration in North and East Syria as a "unique experience", and continued: "This region, which is teeming with components, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Armenians, Circassians, Assyrians and Syriacs, is managed by what is called the concept of joint presidency, which includes all civil institutions, and even some military ones, with women representing 50% or more. It is a very rich and recent experience that may be marred by some errors, and this is normal."

Iskandar called for studying the experience of the Autonomous Administration in the North and East Syria region, where he has lived since he was displaced from his hometown in Latakia, after being pursued by the security branches of the former Syrian regime, to learn lessons from it. He also stressed the importance of trying to present this experience to the rest of the Syrian provinces and clarify its positives, emphasizing that it is in the interest of the Syrian people with all its components.

T/ Satt.