Leaders of PPP/C and APNU+AFC have not met for dialogue as had been expected

Dear Editor,

Prior to the announcement of the results of the General and Regional elections 2020, the Guyana Elections Com-mission adjourned its meeting, cognizant of previous post-elections upheavals and, deliberately, in an effort to have the representatives (APNU+AFC and PPP/C) of the lists, who are also the Leaders of the major parties, dialogue on the way forward, given the impasse that preceded the final declaration and the likely spillover of that atmosphere into the post-election period.

The two representatives conferred and indicated that they agreed to engage after the installation of the President. I mentioned that to support the logic of what is to follow; and to preempt the haters who will find fault in the messenger, or the motive of what is to follow.

Much has happened since the installation of the President, except for the promised engagement. However, the President has recently announced his intention to engage with Past Presidents. This is certainly not the promised engagement, and seems quite awkward. The representatives of the lists agreed to meet. Their portfolios and authority haven`t changed, why haven`t they followed up on their commitment? Four, past and present, Presidents from one party meeting with the past President from another party rings hollow. What gives them the authority to further the Nation`s business, and what is the likely outcome of the, three to one, encounter given the polarized nature of our politics?

In moments of crisis, the parties have usually conferred or the Head of State and the Leader of the Opposition. Those are the complementary poles in our political system. Those are the appropriate levels for any such meeting. Let the parties (Granger and Jagdeo) meet to inform Ali and Harmon or let them  meet and exercise their executive authority. Any other arrangement for dialogue, in Guyana`s circumstance, is maze-like and in this instance lopsided and theatrical. It will produce an anti-climax, at best.

I would be the happiest person, if proven wrong. However, from my current vantage point, I urge our politicians to stop politicking and put the Nation`s interest first.

Yours faithfully,

Vincent Alexander