Dear Editor,
Since the debacle of general and regional elections on 2nd March 2020 there have been local calls and veiled foreign threats of sanctions if a government is installed on the basis of results which lack credibility. We are cognizant that is up to countries, multinationals, or financial institutions to choose whether they apply economic pressure as a means of changing the course of events. However, The New Movement will not be recorded in history as the party calling for such economic hardship on the majority of innocent Guyanese. Unless sanctions can be targeted to culpable individuals, The New Movement does not support sanctions which will result in further damage to the livelihood of the Guyanese people.
Guyana sustained a slowdown in economic activity after the political and constitutional crisis stemming from the no confidence motion in 2018. This is compounded by the absence of a budget for 2020, decreased private spending, the arrival of corona virus, and sporadic violence after the election. Sanctions will cripple what is left of the economy. It will result in an upsurge in crimes, loss of jobs, worsening of the racial tensions, death of sick persons for want of medications, malnutrition, rise in maternal and child deaths, inflation and brain drain to name a few. Thousands of poor persons live day to day. Thousands of public servants live month to month. Many business people have outstanding loans. They cannot be certain how long the sanctions will last.
The New Movement believes the international community can play a much more meaningful and progressive role if the situation degenerates to civil unrest or a political crisis which cannot be solved by Guyanese. They can play a role in the negotiation of an interim Government of national unity with the mandate of
1. Approval of the budget for 2020
2. Constitutional reform to include shared governance and
reform of GECOM
3. New elections in the shortest time after constitutional
reform
4. National reconciliation and unity
We must remember the last part of our motto which binds us to one destiny. Together we prosper or together we perish. The New Movement is calling on all Guyanese and their political leaders to put old battles aside and unite in order to focus on the development of our beautiful country.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Gerald Forde,
Leader,
The New Movement (TNM).
