Norton’s repeated mistake of failing to hold Ali accountable for contemptuous governance

In September 2023, I raised concerns about the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, failing to take a firm stance against President Irfaan Ali regarding the Venezuela/Guyana border dispute. Back then, the issue was Venezuela’s rejection of Guyana’s oil block sales. Today, I find myself revisiting the issue with growing alarm, as Norton continues to make the same mistake — meeting with Ali without setting clear conditions, while Ali unabashedly disregards the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, and the interests of the very people Norton is supposed to represent.

By agreeing to meet Ali without demanding accountability, Norton allows Ali to show open contempt for both his office and the citizens he represents. This latest affront came yesterday when Norton was invited by Ali to be briefed on the Venezuelan naval incursion into Guyana’s waters — a meeting Ali had already had with foreign interests, leaving Norton’s participation not just redundant, but insulting. This is a clear example of how Ali’s regime undermines the position of the Opposition and fails to respect the constitutional role of the Leader of the Opposition. This is a slap in the face to every Guyanese citizen, especially as it plays directly into the hands of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, who is no doubt exploiting the growing divisions in our society.

Let us not forget how the Jagdeo/Ali regime has consistently sidelined the opposition, disregarding the constitutional mandate to involve it in governance matters. The Opposition has been routinely excluded from national events, including the Republican Flag Raising. Similarly, the regime has been relentless in its marginalisation of the African community and other groups who dare to voice alternative views. Yet, when it suits them, they suddenly consider the Opposition a valuable asset, especially when it comes to defending the country’s borders.

This hypocrisy is evident when one recalls how the Opposition’s calls for biometric identification to ensure free, fair, and credible elections are being dismissed. Despite international observers and widespread calls for electoral reform, the Jagdeo/Ali regime has ignored these concerns. Yet, when it comes to Venezuela’s aggression, they seek the Opposition’s help, treating their role as a mere tactical necessity in defense matters, rather than acknowledging their broader role in governance and national development.

But it must be remembered: both Government and Opposition have a responsibility to not only respond to external threats but also to protect and advance the rights of every citizen in an inclusive, participatory democracy. Each group and individual in Guyana should have the opportunity to develop to his or her fullest potential and enjoy a fair share of the nation’s resources. The Government must do more than posture as the defenders of borders, it must actively engage in the well-being of its citizens.

Ali needs to be reminded that his role as President goes beyond military readiness, it extends to ensuring the daily well-being of all Guyanese. Norton, as Leader of the Opposition, is in a unique position to hold him to account. The concerns of everyday citizens — those who can’t afford basic necessities, those burdened by rising costs, those left behind in this government’s pursuit of power — must be placed front and center in any discussions about Guyana’s future. These issues, which are as urgent as national security, cannot be treated as secondary or overlooked.

Guyana’s borders are important, and the security of the nation is a shared responsibility. But security should not come at the expense of citizens’ rights to a decent life. It is absurd for the Government to expect unquestioned support from those it consistently marginalises.

Norton should be setting clear conditions for engagement with Ali: conditions that address the persistent failures of governance, the widespread neglect of marginalised communities, and the serious inequalities that persist across the nation.

Let me be clear: Maduro is not fooled by the spectacle of an Ali-Norton meeting. A significant section of Guyanese society is growing disillusioned with the Ali/Jagdeo regime’s failure to include them and their leaders in meaningful governance. Where Ali refuses to change course, Norton must hold him accountable — not enable his regime’s disregard for the people and their rights.