The Pearl has been cleared.
A pseudo-martial law is in effect.
Ten more protestors were killed, along with two security personnel and three expatriate residents as far as I can tell, bringing the total lives lost so far to 23 since Feb 14.
Six opposition figures have been apprehended, five of whom were just released days ago after being incarcerated for some five months.
Fear pervades the atmosphere, turning the country into a virtual ghost town.
Yet, protestors and the opposition parties seem to be as determined as ever to continue with their struggle, and I fear just as I predicted, this is going to be a long term struggle should the real issues not be expeditiously and amicably resolved. The alternative is far too ugly to consider; if people were inconvenienced by the burning of tyres before, they’d better get prepared for a lot more in the future. I doubt if there will be a limit to the acts of violence on both sides as desperate people do resort to desperate means, and wronged people do hold a grudge for generations. Do we really want this country to tread those paths?
I say again that this situation can never be resolved by the use of violence. A purposeful dialog with clear prerequisites, scope and vision conducted through agreed upon representatives is one way forward, but the regime does not need to await the start of these talks. They would do well by emulating Oman to demonstrate their seriousness and sincerity in seeking a long term resolution. Taking this initiative right now is very much mandated, and would have the added advantage of unmistakably sending signals to the world of their intentions and go some way to repair the badly bruised and tattered image of this country.
Demonstrations and protests are legitimate methods to voice demands and ensure that demands reach those in power. Intelligent people can then evaluate them and change, amend or create new policies to address them.
In Oman, much more tepid demonstrations that we have had resulted in a much needed wake-up call; and once that was recognised, the Sultan didn’t wait much to introduce deep reforms to his country, yet, as human nature would have it, they too want even more:
A few days after demonstrations in Sohar surprised everyone, Sultan Qaboos made modest changes, replacing several ministers and undersecretaries, advisers, and Majlis Al Dawla members. Against a wave of protests, and instead of delaying, he dismissed key aides, espoused freedom of speech by tolerating dissent, supported calls for accountability, and agreed to share power.
The sum total of these incredible transformations shook the political establishment even if they reaffirmed the ruler’s bold outlook.
Still, what surprised most was Muscat’s unabashed honesty in tackling what many assumed would never change. The first wave of seven decrees was proclaimed on February 28, addressing various concerns of the business community along with a Supreme Court and an ambassadorial appointment.
On March 1, two decrees set up a Consumer Protection Authority as well as an administratively and financially autonomous Public Prosecution Department.
Two days later, Sultan Qaboos amended the State Audit Institution and expanded its prerogatives and on March 6, named replacements for his long-time ministers of the diwan, royal office, as well as secretary-general of the royal court.
His most dramatic announcements came on March 7, in what one observer referred to as ‘the night of the long Khanjars’, when eight royal decrees restructured the Council of Ministers, appointed a new secretary-general for the Council of Ministers, selected a chairman for the State Audit and Administrative Institution, chose a chairman of the Tender Board, designated an adviser at the Diwan of Royal Court, picked an adviser for the Finance Ministry, assigned two new undersecretaries for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries respectively and, lo and behold, cancelled outright the Ministry of National Economy.
On Sunday, Sultan Qaboos granted legislative and audit powers to the two chambers that make up the Majlis Oman, and promoted a respected military officer as the new inspector general of police and customs.
Acting fast literally meant that the Sultan listened, adapted, and applied many of the demands that were deemed to be in the country’s best interests. Yet, the Sultan’s sweeping shake-ups, which ushered in many new faces in the government along with pay rises as well as promises to help create over 50,000 new civil service posts, failed to satisfy protesters.
Gulf News
Can the demands put forth by the opposition societies be evaluated and enacted in Bahrain as well? Of course they could, and without delay.
The demands of the Bahraini people are quite simple and universal: we need more democracy, guaranteed human rights and freedoms all leading to the opportunity to live with dignity. Do we really need any dialogue to enact these points? Of course not. The King can enact them immediately and the sooner the better. The regime has already unequivocally accepted the need for a more encompassing constitution, so what’s the harm in his majesty immediately declaring steps to initiate the formation of an elected constitutional council to discuss, agree and formulate this new constitution?
Once this critical step is taken, talks about all other matters can start and peace and calmness can truly be restored, and this time, for the long term, rather than the current intractable situation resulted in nothing but Pyrrhic victories.
