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– says electoral outcome no surprise
While noting that the outcome of the 2020 General and Regional Elections comes as no surprise, the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) said it will continue to advocate for constitutional reform and economic justice for Afro communities.
“ACDA is now more convinced and committed to an organized struggle of the African community for constitutional reform and economic justice for our community,” it said in a statement issued moments ago.
It added: “We call for urgent and decisive action to utilize the opportunity before our nation from the new oil wealth to address economic inequality affecting people of African descent.”
The African association said as a signatory of the U.N. International Decade for People of African Descent declaration during a time with heightened awareness that Black Lives Matter – Guyana must meet its responsibility.
Turning his attention to the just concluded elections, ACDA posited People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) ascension to Office was a result of external pressure by the US and its ABCE allies against the David Granger led A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (AFC) Coalition Government and the disregard of clearly defined laws and guidelines of the electoral laws of Guyana.
“While not surprised ACDA is disappointed that the crisis did not result in the two major electoral parties agreeing on a serious definitive discussion on constitutional reform to end the pernicious winner take all governance system that only results in deepening the racial fractures in our society. The racial divisions have never been in the best interest of the Guyanese nation but are cleverly used by politicians and foreign groups to acerbate fears and distrust among our people. This was more evident and virulent during the recently held March 2020 elections,” ACDA said.
The African association has been on record since 1997 calling for Shared Governance and the end to winner take all elections.
“ACDA maintains that this system will always lead to a crisis at election time since the major ethnic groups understand that this system of governance gives the winner all and relegates the loser to the economic, social and political margins of the state. Elections in Guyana are an ethnic census,” it said.
It also urged Guyanese to beware of “Greeks bearing gifts,” noting that they should not believe that their equity in the development of Guyana would be matched by the foreign powers who have intervened most aggressively in the recent national elections.
“Most of them have never been throughout time, interested in the wellbeing of the people of Guyana. They will not change as they seek to reap the bounty of Guyana’s oil harvest and the opportunities that would be created for their own gain,” it said.
