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– warns failure to release Walrond’s Certificate of Renunciation will result in legal actions
The main Opposition – the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) – has given the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs a 24-hour ultimatum for the release of Minister Oneidge Walrond’s Certificate of Renunciation; warning that failure to do so will result in legal actions.
Walrond – the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and Member of Parliament – is being accused of breaching the Constitution. It is alleged that Walrond, while still being a citizen of the United States of America (US), took an oath to serve in the Parliament of Guyana, knowing fully well that the Constitution bars dual citizens from sitting in the House.
In the interest of transparency, APNU+AFC has written the Clerk of the National Assembly requesting the release of the document but to no avail.
“In the circumstances, we hereby demand that within twenty-four (24) hours of the receipt of this letter, you do respond to the aforesaid letter, by submitting a copy of the Certificate of Renunciation submitted to you by Mrs. Oneidge Walrond. The failure to comply with the request would result in the institution of legal proceedings to prevent this flagrant breach of the Constitution,” APNU+AFC Parliamentarian, Roysdale Force, SC, told the Clerk in a letter dated October 30, 2020.
But the Assembly’s Clerk, though not indicating whether or not he will release Walrond’s Certificate of Renunciation, told Village Voice Guyana that he will determine his next move only after receiving legal advice on the matter.
Forde’s letter was the second such letter sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly by the APNU+AFC since the issue of Walrond’s status surfaced in mid-October. The first letter, dated October 25, 2020, was sent by the Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones.
“To date we have not received a reply to the aforesaid letter,” Forde told the Clerk as he renewed the request for Walrond’s Certificate of Renunciation to be released to the Opposition. He said from information in the public domain, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament was not qualified to be appointed as a Minister of Government and or Member of Parliament.
“It is clear that the appointment of Mrs. Oneidge Walrond is not lawfully a member of the National Assembly and ought to be so declared,” Forde said while expressing the view that the Parliament’s silence on the issue is untenable.
“The inaction by yourself and the Speaker of the National Assembly in the face of the unconstitutional appointment of Mrs. Oneidge Walrond is unacceptable and constitutes a violation of your obligation to uphold the Constitution of Guyana,” the APNU+AFC MP told the Clerk.
When contacted on Tuesday, the Clerk told Village Voice Guyana that MP Walrond’s file for legal advice. Questioned whether the legal advice is being sought form the Chief Parliamentary Counsel attached to the Attorney General’s Chamber, Isaacs, in response, said he wishes not disclose.
However, he underscored the importance of receiving legal advice on the simple basis that the documents provided to him by the Tourism Ministry “is simply not clear.”
The Attorney-at-Law, took the Oath of Office to serve as a Minister of Government on August 5, knowing fully well that at the time, she was a citizen of the United States of America (USA). On September 1, Walrond was sworn in as Member of Parliament, and though indicating that she has since relinquished her foreign status, it is unclear when she actually received her Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States.
The APNU+AFC has long signal its intention to initiate legal proceedings against Walrond should she fail to step down as a Minister of Government and Member of Parliament having allegedly breached the Constitution.
Article 155 of the Constitution bars dual citizens from being Members of Parliament.
