Ilham Ehmed, Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration, spoke to ANHA about the meeting she and SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi held on 15 April in Damascus with Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of the Syrian Transitional Government.
A decision to be taken on education
Ilham Ehmed said that during the meeting in Damascus the obstacles to implementing the integration process were discussed. She said that both sides (the Autonomous Administration and Damascus) are working to remove these obstacles.
Ehmed said that one of the main topics of the meeting was the education system, where students’ diplomas have still not been recognized, and added: “A long time has passed since the January 29 agreement, yet this issue has still not been resolved. We agreed that in the near future both ministers of education and the minister of higher education will visit the governorate of Hesekê to establish a mechanism and finalize this issue. In addition, discussions will continue regarding the education system and language, and decisions will be made in the coming period.”
Ehmed noted that so far appointments within the administrative system have only been made in the health and education sectors, and that directorates that have not yet been determined will be appointed urgently. She added that a new mechanism will be established to complete the assignments within institutions.
Integration process is progressing slowly
Ilham Ehmed stated that some steps have been taken within the framework of integration but that the process is progressing slowly. She said that positive steps have been taken regarding regional representation and appointments, but that there are still steps that need to be taken at the level of ministries and directorates.
Border crossing
Referring to the functioning of border crossings, one of the key issues of integration, Ehmed stated that a mechanism has been created for the management of the Semalka crossing and other border gates, and that personnel working on behalf of the Autonomous Administration continue their duties according to the principles of integration.
Problems faced
Ehmed said that many problems have arisen during the implementation of the mechanism and listed them as follows: “Some directors in the governorate had already been appointed by the transitional government after the fall of the Assad regime. This situation creates its own problems. What matters is reaching a consensus regarding these officials. The Autonomous Administration has many employees and they should not become unemployed. There must be an agreement regarding the appointments of the names designated by the Autonomous Administration and those appointed by the transitional government. The Autonomous Administration has been carrying out these tasks for a long time and has accumulated experience, and this must be taken into consideration. Both representation and experience are important in determining officials. Changes will be made based on expertise; what matters is service to society and representation. In this region, Kurds, Syriacs, and Arabs live together.”
Obstacles faced in women’s representation
Ilham Ehmed emphasized that the issue of women’s representation will remain a problem, saying: “Many women held positions within the Autonomous Administration. Structurally, the institutions of the Autonomous Administration and government institutions are not exactly the same; although they resemble each other, there are differences at the level of directorate management. For appointments within the framework of integration, both women and men are nominated. So far the directors of education and health have been appointed, but both are men. Therefore, women’s participation must be treated as a special issue, and they should be given important roles. There are serious difficulties and obstacles in this matter.”
YPJ’s future on the agenda
Ehmed also pointed out that one of the obstacles ahead concerns the YPJ issue and added: “Although no new result has yet emerged regarding the YPJ in the discussions, the issue remains on the agenda. The discussion on the formalization of the YPJ is also on the agenda of the transitional government. This situation will continue until an agreement is reached.”
Another issue within the integration process is the selection of parliamentary representatives (Syrian People’s Assembly) for the provinces of Hesekê and Kobanê. Ehmed said that preparations on this matter are being carried out through a central committee and a preparation committee of the Hesekê Governorate, and that the preparation committee holds the initiative.
Municipalities will be reorganized
In her speech, Ehmed also referred to the People’s Municipalities system in Rojava, stating that the more the municipalities serve society within the framework of the new system, the faster the Hesekê governorate will be able to renew itself. She said democracy develops through representation and service and emphasized that preparations should be made for the new process.
Work on new constitution
Speaking about the preparation of the new Syrian constitution, Ehmed said that after representatives from Rojava are determined for parliament, the constitution issue will seriously come onto the agenda: “Kurds will also take their place in the committee that will draft the new Syrian constitution. Syria needs a new constitution, and for this there must be a committee that represents all peoples. Kurds are fundamental partners in the construction of this country, and therefore they must have a fundamental role. This will take place in the coming period.”
Ilham Ehmed also stated that the issue of detainees remains on the agenda and that during the meetings they emphasized that all detainees should be released as soon as possible.
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