By Mark DaCosta- As Guyana approaches upcoming national and regional elections, the political atmosphere appears to be growing increasingly ciltse, and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has raised concerns about the potential for deepening divisions. The party has warned that the situation is perilous for national stability, particularly given the country’s fragile political landscape and the high stakes involved in the upcoming elections.
The WPA’s primary concern is that the intensifying acrimony surrounding the elections could damage national unity, with serious consequences for the country’s long-term stability. The party asserts that without a political solution, the risk of further instability will increase. “We are putting our national cohesion at great risk. Our fragile national compact simply cannot withstand another election which is mired in controversy because our major political actors disagree on the rules,” the WPA stated. The party emphasised that the long-term repercussions of a divided and contentious election process could push the country towards a crisis.
The potential fallout from such political instability extends beyond mere social unrest. According to the WPA, Guyana’s burgeoning oil wealth, which has been heralded as a cornerstone for economic development, could be severely undermined if the country is unable to establish a stable political environment. The party noted that “economic development in a petrostate which is mired in political instability is a non-starter,” stressing that the risk of political conflict would only exacerbate the country’s already delicate socio-economic situation.
Four core issues are seen by the WPA as driving the political tension. First, there is the reluctance of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to embrace even a modest degree of bipartisanship or inclusive governance. Second, the independence of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been called into question, with the WPA stating that the body has become too influenced by the ruling party. The party also noted the erosion of civil society, which, in its view, has failed to hold the government accountable owing to fear and intimidation. Finally, the international community’s role has been minimal, despite the controversies surrounding the electoral process, and the WPA has called for a more active mediation role to prevent further destabilisation.
In light of these challenges, the WPA is calling for urgent dialogue between the ruling regime and opposition parties. The party believes that a political resolution is the only viable path to de-escalating tensions and ensuring a fair electoral process. According to the WPA, “It is against that background that WPA calls on the President and the Leader of the Opposition to show some maturity by beginning a dialogue aimed at a political solution regarding the election.” This proposed dialogue would likely ideally focus on establishing clear and mutually agreed-upon rules, frameworks, and a code of conduct that would guide the elections in a transparent and impartial manner.
WPA argues that without such a dialogue, GECOM will continue to struggle under the influence of the political divide, limiting its ability to function independently. The party further believes that a political resolution could restore the public’s faith in the electoral process, which has been severely eroded by prior disputes. “It is clear that GECOM finds itself a prisoner of the logic of our political divide,” the WPA stated, highlighting the challenges the commission faces in fulfilling its constitutional duties. The party’s first preference is that the political leaders engage in direct discussions to find common ground. However, if this proves difficult due to entrenched positions, the WPA suggests that local, regional, and international mediators may be necessary to facilitate the process.
The WPA’s position on this matter is one of cautious optimism. It acknowledges the potential difficulty of bridging the gap between the ruling party and the opposition but stresses the importance of such a dialogue for the sake of national stability. The party believes that without this intervention, the country risks slipping further into a cycle of political conflict that could severely hinder its development. As the party has pointed out, the cost of continuing down this path would be too great for the country to bear.