Dear Editor,
Guyana is on the path of democratic renewal. Despite attempts by the political opposition to derail the democratic process, there can be no doubt that the country has made, over the decades, substantial progress in terms of representative governance and the rule of law. The above notwithstanding, the search for ways to deepen our democracy to reflect our diversity must continue.
In this regard, the measures taken by the current administration to reactivate the process of constitutional reforms must be applauded. It is now for the political opposition to come on board with a view to iron out a governance construct that will address the ethnic dilemma that has been a drag on our developmental aspirations ever since the split of the PPP in 1955. Sadly, the scars of that political schism still remain in the body-politic even though there are indications of higher levels of political inclusivity and multiculturalism.
It is an established historical fact that the split in the PPP was engineered by Forbes Burnham following his unsuccessful bid to take over the leadership of the PPP. As a gesture of good faith, the PNC which still remains the largest opposition party in the country, should recognize the legitimacy of the PPP/C administration and desist from labelling the government as an ‘installed’ regime when the entire world knows otherwise. This is only doing further damage to the image and credibility of the PNC as a political party and would further alienate those who may be politically sympathetic to the party.
Secondly, the PNC need to publicly acknowledge some of the excesses of the past, including the rigging of national elections from 1968 all the way to 1985. This admittedly is a tough call, but it is a historical fact that the PNC perpetuated its life in office for twenty-four years through a combination of force and electoral fraud. It does not require a truth and reconciliation commission as in the case of South Africa to establish the fact that a serious injustice was done to the PPP and its supporters who were kept out of political office for nearly three decades through fraudulent elections. The Guyanese people as a whole were made to suffer from acts of political victimization and incompetent rule. Indeed, the country during that period was reduced to one of the poorest country in the western hemisphere and Guyana was regarded as a ‘pariah’ state by the international community. The PNC cannot escape responsibility for that sad state of affairs in which the country found itself.
Be that as it may, the PNC still remains the largest political opposition in the country and therefore has a role to play both at the constitutional and political levels to lift this country to greater heights. The image of Guyana is already changing as an important player on the international stage as is recently manifested in high level exchanges between President Irfaan Ali and high ranking officials of the United States government, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. The country is doing well economically and is now ranked as among the fastest growing economy in the world, thanks to the impact of oil and gas. However, such developments must be buttressed by the fostering of a politically stable and harmonious society based on full adherence to democratic norms and the rule of law.
The PNC as a major political party has to come on board and join in the quest for the creation of a new Guyana based on the ‘One Guyana’ vision as articulated by President Ali. In a few days’ time, Guyanese will celebrate Emancipation Day, but unless we free ourselves from the shackles of adversarial politics, the dreams and aspirations of our ancestors and their offspring’s for a strong, united and prosperous Guyana would not be fully realized.
Sincerely,
Hydar Ally