AFC and APNU have sacrificed all for a better Guyana
DEAR EDITOR,
The last two weeks have witnessed the most hectic, intensive and sincere negotiations between APNU and the AFC, as their leaders prepare for the May 11 general election, irrespective of the outcome. The stakes were high, but it is not unusual for political parties to embark on intensive negotiations when the stakes are high. Their goal was to form a coalition in the face of severe odds against them. It was the beginning of something new that no one believed would materialize, including some the leaders, but they and many of their supporters were optimistic. With no agreement in hand and time running out, supporters of both parties pleaded with their leaders for more time to reach an agreement. Failure was not an option for them. The leaders’ renewed interest in forming a coalition in 2015 did not come as a surprise to many. The curious, enquiring public was not satisfied with the reasons given for not forming a coalition in 2011 and both parties regretted that decision after the results were published. Had they agreed to form a coalition in 2011, they would have been the government of today. But even though some versed in philosophy put forth the proposition that “things happen for a reason” yet, many believe that the country could not stand five more years of PPP corrupt, scandalous and abusive rule. So what drove the parties to negotiate? Was it fear? Was it their rationality that guided them to do what is best for the people and the country? Or was it because of widespread dissatisfaction by the constituents of both parties? Whichever way, it would have been humiliating for them not to form a coalition and then lose the election again. Now, speculation is rife in the PPP camp as the coalition enjoys tremendous national support and poses a formidable threat to the ruling cabal. The wave phenomenon which gripped the country since the election was announced in January 2015 was virtually absent in the last election as widespread anti-PPP sentiment increases. The arrogant PPP regime continues to suffer from tremendous corrupt practices and scandals. Unlike 2011 when the political dynamic was somewhat different from 2015, these scandals have resulted in a backlash against the PPP. It is indeed heartening to see the formation of the coalition has finally materialized with both parties injecting new, young blood into the party’s team of candidates. This is an excellent and selfless decision by true patriots and great statesmen who are prepared to put the interests of the people first and move Guyana forward. .The decision was not an easy one, and both parties had to work extremely hard to overcome decades of prejudice and mistrust, but in the end, they have succeeded and the people and Guyana have won. Kudos to the principal negotiators — David Patterson and Dominic Gaskin of the AFC and Carl Greenidge and Joe Harmon of APNU — for their extraordinary patience, intellect and incredible negotiating skills, and for enduring restless days and sleepless nights. All patriotic Guyanese must pay homage to the stalwart Guyanese politician, Moses Nagamootoo for parting the Red Sea a second time—first in 2011 when he left the PPP to join the AFC and now to be part of the coalition. Moses has shown a kind of humility which is a very rare quality found among politicians and human beings in general. At the same time, all must applaud David Granger who never gave up on the idea of an AFC/APNU coalition and for putting Guyana and the people first. Like a true soldier, he is an eternal optimist, an everlasting pragmatist and a diehard nationalist. And Khemraj Ramjattan must be appreciated for putting the people and the country’s interests ahead of his party. His elegant, flamboyant and effervescent style of speaking coupled with his uncompromising stance against corruption and other wrongdoing have made him a tenacious politician. Congratulations to all the leaders and negotiators of APNU and the AFC for their exceptional skills, talent and remarkable patience. Their conscious decision to unite for the good of the people and the country will have a positive influence on the quality of life for the masses and a bright future for the country. They have given hope to the hopeless and the downtrodden in Guyana. The coalition has allowed them to maximize their political potential to lead Guyana in a new direction. They are our heroes and real leaders, as according to Nelson Mandela “real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”
Asquith Rose,
Chandra Deolall,
Dr. Merle Spenser-Marks
