Amid mounting concerns that discussions between the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) are faltering before serious negotiations can even begin, tensions appear to be rising as both AFC Leader Nigel Hughes and APNU Leader Aubrey Norton seem more focused on their personal bids for coalition leadership than fostering an alliance to contest the upcoming elections.
In response to questions regarding the status of negotiations, AFC Chairman David Patterson issued a public statement at a press conference, outlining the party’s position and conditions for resuming meaningful discussions.
“The AFC is willing to engage and take the ‘Talks Off Life Support’ with the following broad-based understanding between all concerned,” Patterson stated, before listing the key principles necessary for progress:
- Complete respect for the negotiation process by all parties, with strict adherence to agreed terms of engagement.
- A commitment to prioritise national interests over party or personal gains, putting aside preconditions.
- The development of a clear, mutually agreed-upon political platform as an alternative to the current status quo, to be presented jointly to the nation.
- Strict adherence to the March 31, 2025, deadline, with the understanding that “nothing is agreed until all is agreed.”
Patterson’s statement sought to emphasise the importance of a structured and collaborative approach, reflecting the urgency of forming a viable coalition to challenge the ruling government in the next election.
Touching on the issue of transparency on Gas-to-Energy Project, the AFC pointed out its Leader Nigel Hughes, raised concerns over the lack of a publicly available feasibility study for the government’s gas-to-energy project.
He argued that a lender’s due diligence report, conducted for internal purposes, is not equivalent to a comprehensive feasibility study. Hughes renewed calls for the government to release the study that would demonstrate the project’s soundness, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability in public spending.
Hughes also addressed the critical issue of electoral reform, calling for a credible and clean voter list ahead of the next general and regional elections. He underscored the necessity of biometric verification as an internationally recognised and effective method to ensure voter credibility and prevent instances of multiple voting. To this end, the party leader urged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to immediately submit a suite of proposed legal amendments to the government to enable the use of biometrics in future elections.
On the issue of budgetary allocations, the AFC criticised the $1.382 Trillion national budget allocations to youth development and healthcare. The party described the budget as lacking vision and failing to adequately address the needs of these critical sectors. The AFC’s critique highlighted deficiencies in the government’s approach and reinforced the party’s call for a comprehensive political platform to address the nation’s challenges.
As the agreed March 31 deadline looms to conclude the new coalition process, it remains to be seen whether APNU and AFC can bridge their differences and form a united front. The AFC’s insistence on respect for the negotiation process and the prioritisation of national interests over personal ambitions suggests that significant hurdles remain. However, the party’s public statement signals its willingness to engage, provided that mutual trust and collaboration are maintained.
For now, the future of the coalition and its potential to offer a credible alternative to the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rests on whether both parties can rise above internal divisions and focus on what they claim is best for the nation.
