The People’s National Congress Islahat (PNCR) and the Guyana Action Party (GAP) met yesterday December 12, 2024, and engaged in bilateral discussions and to understand the thinking and actions of the two parties. So said the two sides in a statement.
According to the statement during the parties engaged in thorough discussions on the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government, the problems facing coalition politics, the key issues affecting Guyana, and discussed viable solutions to those problems.
They agreed that there is the need to set up a forum to ensure all parties participate in the decision-making process and agreed that there should be an established mechanism and processes for resolving conflict between or among coalition partners.
It was also agreed that the two sides need to have a well-defined and agreed to political platform and philosophy to guide their decision making and political actions.
The parties said both have agreed Guyanese want them to work as a coalition since it is the best choice for Guyana and have committed to working to ensure that they enter the 2025 General and Regional Elections as part of the A Partnership for National Unity and a broad coalition.
The APNU has not had a meeting under the chairmanship of PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton who took over the position in January 2022 after former Chair David Granger step aside. On June 6, 2024 the smaller members of the partnership met and elected a new leadership, and at the same time stated the PNCR is still part of the coalition. Guyana Action Party’s leader, Vincent Henry, was elected Chairman and Mrs. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, General Secretary. The PNCR, in a subsequent statement, said the election was null and void, and denied Norton was invited to a meeting. Evidence was provided to show he was.
The PNCR and GAP have, however, in the statement said the coalition partners have emphasised their shared commitment to promoting the welfare and development of the Guyanese people.
The meeting is seen by both parties as an important step forward in strengthening the partnership between the PNCR and GAP, both of whom are members of the APNU, according to the statement
The parties, in the statement said, they are enthusiastic working together to address the challenges facing Guyana and to promote a brighter future for all citizens. Together they have agreed to continue to work together to advance their shared goals and objectives.
The meeting was attended by Aubrey C. Norton, MP, Leader of the PNCR and Sherwin Benjamin, General Secretary of the PNCR along with Vincent Henry, MP, Leader of GAP and Errol Ross, Chairman of GAP.
The PNCR outreach mirrors similar outreaches initiated by the Alliance for Change (AFC), which began in July after the election of party leader, Nigel Hughes. Guyana’s next general and regional elections are constitutional due in 2025.