The Arab Council held a workshop on the lessons learned from political dialogue experiences in Arab countries and the conditions for the success of the simultaneous calls for dialogue in several of these countries, with the participation of political actors who were involved in previous dialogue processes and researchers.

Based on the outcomes of this workshop, the Arab Council would like to address a number of conclusions and recommendations to all actors involved in dialogue processes, whether in power, in opposition, or in alignment, in order to turn the calls for dialogue into genuine opportunities for reaching real agreements, and to stop treating dialogue as a maneuver, manipulation, time-wasting, or a means of pleasing external parties to renew a deteriorating legitimacy and distribute the burden of major crises among everyone.

The Arab Council considers that calls for dialogue can only be serious and credible if they are accompanied by mutual recognition as a fait accompli, by accepting the logic of coexistence among the people of the same country, and by overcoming tendencies to monopolize national issues. Furthermore, dialogue must include opponents, enemies, and those who disagree, not just allies and supporters. It should also be accompanied by steps to reduce tensions and show goodwill, such as releasing political prisoners and halting reciprocal media campaigns.

The Council emphasizes that one of the conditions for the success of any dialogue is that it be comprehensive and inclusive, involving all of the country’s active forces and providing an opportunity for everyone to express their opinion. There should be a credible body responsible for overseeing the dialogue, either neutral and equally distanced from all participants, or pluralistic, ensuring representation of all those concerned with the dialogue. This body should be granted the necessary resources and authority to ensure that the outcomes of the dialogue are binding on state institutions and all parties involved.

The Council stresses the need to reject the involvement of any foreign parties in the national dialogue process so that the course of the dialogue and its expected outcomes do not shift from the will of national partners to the balances of power among regional and international forces competing for influence and interests in the region.

The Arab Council calls on opposition forces, political actors, and civil society components in countries engaged in national dialogue processes to initiate dialogues among themselves, independent of the mindset of exclusion, intimidation, and incitement, in order to coordinate positions and rally around clear demands. This will ensure that their stance in the dialogue with the regimes is stronger and more influential, and will help them overcome maneuvers aimed at division and breaking ranks. The Council also calls on them to reject the barter of the people’s aspirations and interests for any offers of sharing power or gains with the existing regimes.

Finally, the Arab Council affirms that it is the duty of the country’s active forces to reject participation in any dialogue that does not meet these conditions, as participation without guarantees of credibility and seriousness means contributing to the renewal of the regime’s decaying legitimacy, both internally and externally, aiding in its escape from its crises, and participating in deceiving the people.

Signed,
The Arab Council
President Moncef Marzouki