In our article of 25 February 2019, we reported that former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen was arrested for allegedly receiving bribes and kickbacks estimated at US$80 million involving leasing islands and reefs. Investigators found illegal payments totalling around US$1 million into Yameen’s bank account. Last Thursday, Yameen was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering. We also reported last week that two Ministers of the Namibian government resigned over allegations that they granted preference access to fishing grounds to Iceland’s largest fishing conglomerate, Samherji in exchange for bribes. They have since been arrested and are awaiting trial.
Formation of new political parties
Since our article of 2 September, at least two other political parties have been formed to contest the 2 March 2020 elections, in addition to the A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP). These are Change Guyana party, headed by businessman Robert Badal; and The Citizens’ Initiative, headed by Ruel Johnson.
The Guyanese society has become so polarized, especially since the 21 December 2018 vote of no confidence in the Government, that these new parties are unlikely to make any significant impact on the outcome of the 2 March 2020 elections unless they combine forces to create a united third force. Even then such a force is likely to face significant challenges, considering that most of those who had supported the AFC over the years felt betrayed by the party for not providing the desired checks and balances on its senior coalition partner and for not holding it to account, as faithfully promised. Nevertheless, it could very well be that a united third force can garner enough votes to prevent either of the two main political parties from winning a majority of the votes of the electors. This is what is needed under the present constitutional arrangement.