Criticism Over Concentration of Power in the Presidency… Syrian Party Calls for a National Constitutional Conference
Criticism of the constitutional declaration reflects concerns about repeating the previous governance model, where power is concentrated in the hands of one individual without genuine representation o
March 16, 2025, 6:21 pm

Criticism Over Concentration of Power in the Presidency… Syrian Party Calls for a National Constitutional Conference

الشرع وبيدرسن يبحثان مستقبل سوريا السياسي

The Syrian party People’s Will has voiced its concerns that the details of the newly issued constitutional declaration fail to meet the demands and gravity of the transitional phase Syria is undergoing. The party argues that the document lacks the fundamental principle of "rule by the people, for the people."

In a statement, the party emphasized:
"On March 13, 2025, transitional interim President Ahmad Al-Shar’a signed the constitutional declaration, consisting of 53 articles, which was drafted by a committee appointed by Al-Shar’a himself—similar to how the interim government and the preparatory committee for the National Dialogue Conference were formed. This process failed to ensure broad and genuine political and social representation in Syria."

The statement outlined key concerns regarding the declaration:

The Transitional Period

The declaration sets the transitional period at five years, leaving the country without a permanent constitution for an extended duration. The party warned that this could heighten risks to national unity, increase opportunities for foreign intervention, and further delay the lifting of international sanctions.

The statement stressed that a constitution could be drafted within a year through a broadly inclusive national conference, ensuring the Syrian people's right to determine their future through free and transparent elections at all levels.

Absence of "Rule by the People"

The party criticized the declaration for failing to uphold the principle of rule by the people, a core democratic tenet and the result of decades of struggle by Syrians.

While acknowledging that centralized authority is necessary in critical transitional periods, the party argued that such centralization would be weak and unstable unless backed by a broad national consensus. The declaration, it warned, grants the executive branch and the presidential office sweeping powers over all three branches of government, effectively recreating a previous constitutional framework that entrenched one-party rule.

A Disappointing Framework

The People’s Will party concluded its statement by describing the constitutional declaration as disappointing and unfit to serve as a foundation for a smooth transition that safeguards Syria’s unity and shields it from external interference.

The party called for an urgent move to convene a comprehensive national conference that would enable Syrians to determine their fate, strengthen national unity, and form an inclusive unity government capable of leading the country to safety.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.