Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir has raised alarm over deepening divisions within the parliamentary opposition, warning that internal disputes are overshadowing urgent national and global issues affecting Guyanese citizens.
Speaking recently in an interview with Voice of the Diaspora, Walton-Desir said the opposition must urgently refocus its attention on governance, policy, and preparing citizens for emerging challenges.
The opposition holds 29 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly, with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) controlling 12 seats, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) holding 16, and the FGM one seat. The governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) maintains a majority with 36 seats.
Despite this, Walton-Desir expressed disappointment that opposition parties are not working more cohesively, particularly at a time when she believes the government must be more aggressively scrutinised.
She criticised what she described as misplaced priorities within the opposition, noting that attention is being diverted to minor issues such as speaking time allocations instead of confronting allegations of corruption, mismanagement and incompetence.
According to Walton-Desir, opposition parliamentarians have a responsibility to use their time in the National Assembly to deliver meaningful contributions on behalf of the people, regardless of how limited that time may be.
Beyond domestic concerns, she also pointed to growing global instability, warning that the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States could have serious consequences for Guyana.
She noted that tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global shipping route—have already disrupted energy supplies and global trade, raising concerns about wider economic fallout. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait, and disruptions there can trigger spikes in energy prices and ripple effects across the global economy, including food production and supply chains.
Recent developments linked to the conflict have heightened fears of supply shocks, with impacts already being felt in energy markets and agriculture, increasing the risk of inflation and food insecurity worldwide.
Against this backdrop, Walton-Desir questioned whether enough is being done to prepare Guyanese for potential disruptions, particularly those already living day-to-day.
She stressed the need for greater emphasis on food security and self-sufficiency, including a return to agriculture, to help cushion the impact of any global economic shocks.
Walton-Desir also called on media platforms and public influencers to play a more constructive role by promoting informed discussion and encouraging citizens to focus on national development rather than divisive or sensational issues.
She warned that continued fragmentation within the opposition risks failing the very people they were elected to represent, and urged greater collaboration to address both domestic challenges and emerging global threats.
