The Civil Society Forum (CSF) has declared its intention to stand in solidarity with all Guyanese at a time when neighbouring Venezuela’s aggressive actions threaten the nation’s sovereignty and wants the government and opposition to build on their current cooperative stance on this issue.
According to a CSF release yesterday, “It is our position, like that of every Guyanese, that … Essequibo, belongs to Guyana. As Guyana awaits the judgment of the International Court of Justice on the matter, we urge every Guyanese to remain steadfast in our common identity.”
CSF is a coalition of organisations which was formally launched on January 16, 2021. It initially comprised six organisations but currently boasts nine. These are: Electoral Reform Group (ERG), Guyana Missionary Baptist Church, Guyana Rastafarian Council (GRC), Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Heal Guyana, Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), Red Thread, Roman Catholic Church, and Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI).
CSF was set up to work towards realising Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana with its focus primarily on “creating a truly inclusionary democracy that serves as a vehicle for citizens to participate in the decision-making process of the state.”
The release noted that the government and the opposition “have shown great leadership to our people during what must be a period of great uncertainty.” It was pointed out that never have Guyanese on both sides of the political aisle been more united on an issue. As such the CSF is of the opinion that what it describes as “this historic moment in our country’s history,” is sufficient cause for hope, because if Guyana’s two political powerhouses can unite on the Venezuela border issue, then it is possible to find common ground on many national issues that are of interest to the people of Guyana. As such, the Forum applauded the Government of Guyana and the Opposition for putting aside their political differences and standing together for the national good.
And as far as the CSF is concerned, this is an opportune moment to build relationships and heal as a nation, thereby charting a new course for Guyana. It invoked the words of Guyanese literary icon Martin Carter (1951), “Like a jig shakes the loom. Like a web is spun the pattern, all are involved! All are consumed!’ – ‘You Are Involved.”
“In the spirit of involvement CSF urges all Guyanese to stand resolute together against the forces that threaten our resolve as a people. Understanding that united we stand tall, but divided we will crumble. Today we boldly declare Essequibo belongs to Guyana from the Mora Passage to Konashen. God bless Guyana, the country of our birth.”
