Latest update March 25th, 2025 7:08 AM
Latest News
- Surinamese invest US$516M into country’s first oil project
- ExxonMobil impact study for Hammerhead project silent on likely explosion from new pipeline
- ‘A shocking breach’: Trump officials leak military attacks to The Atlantic
- Pensioner goes missing during creek outing at Kwakwani
- Cuban national jailed for entering Guyana illegally
Prorogued Parliament…Way forward still undecided
– APNU, AFC still in shock, caught unaware
By Kiana Wilburg
Even after an almost week’s notice of President Donald Ramotar’s threat to either dissolve or prorogue Parliament,
AFC Leader,
Khemraj Ramjattan
with the latter being the ultimate decision, the joint political opposition – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) – still seems too shaken to meet and decide on the way forward.
Some observers have opined that the Opposition allowed itself this time around “to be caught with its pants down” as it on Monday afternoon, could not even appease worried and frustrated protestors with the blueprint for its strategy after the President’s decision was announced.
And from all indications this remains the case.
Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, was asked yesterday about his party’s proposed way forward and if it has met with APNU on their strategy. Ramjattan answered in the negative.
Ramjattan said that the way forward has not been decided as it has not met with its counterpart, APNU, as yet, but the AFC is on its own, currently “strategizing.”
APNU Leader David Granger also confirmed that a meeting with the AFC on the next step has not been decided as yet but he expects that they would meet soon. The Opposition Leader however, noted that APNU will be hosting a rally at the Square of the Revolution on Friday. He said that the rally is being held to register disdain for the oppressive denial of parliamentary democracy.
There were also concerns from observers as to why Granger was not advised on the possible implications of Ramotar making good on his threat and the strategy that should be taken in such an event.
Asked yesterday why this was not done, APNU parliamentarian Basil Williams told this newspaper that the question should be posed to the Opposition Leader.
Pressed further on the basis that he is the legal advisor for the coalition and the shadow Attorney General, Williams said, “Listen man, I don’t know. I already told you who to ask.” He then ended the telephone call.
APNU Leader,
David Granger
In an invited comment, political activist, Aubrey Norton said that the Parliament being prorogued is but a dictatorial move. He said that the citizenry must admit that the provision in the Constitution to prorogue, however archaic, is a clear oversight, but he maintained that it was a misuse of powers by the government.
“It is a bad move by an illegitimate government,” Norton stated.
He asserted that the government’s decision can only be seen as “taking things to the extreme and it is undemocratic.”
Norton said that he believes the government has essentially removed one of the pillars of democracy. He nonetheless expressed hope that while the reaction of the people may be in the form of peaceful protests, he hopes that the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force act on the side of the people and do not allow themselves to be used against them.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Desecration, Disrespectful, and Disgraceful
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The solemnity of Babu Jaan, a site meant to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Cheddi... more
The Caribbean: Destined to Grin and Bear the Consequences of Its Self-Created Vulnerabilities?
By Sir Ronald Sanders For decades, many Caribbean nations have grappled with dependence on a small number of powerful countries... more
Weekend Cartoon
