Latest update January 21st, 2025 5:15 AM
Latest News
- ‘Govt doesn’t need independent advice to renegotiate ExxonM contract’
- ‘Chokehold of oil on Guyana’s economy spells trouble for country’s climbing debt’- Former Finance Minister
- Rescuers find dozens of bodies in Gaza rubble amid Israel-Hamas ceasefire
- Trump returns to power
- GGMC allays concerns over safe with seized gold, diamonds
Review of Cummingsburg Accord…We want a stronger coalition – AFC Leader
Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) Raphael Trotman said that the recent announcement by his party, that they are looking to have the Cummingsburg Accord reviewed, was not triggered by any specific event, but rather, is aimed
AFC Leader Raphael Trotman
at strengthening its coalition with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Speaking to Kaieteur News, Trotman said that the decision was taken by the executive council of the party, and that the time was right for such a move. Trotman stated that the coalition has been working well so far and after almost two years in government, the parties will meet to work out a stronger ‘marriage’.
He said that during the formulation of the initial accord, time did not permit for the two parties to look at a wider range of issues, and that the review will address those areas that were overlooked.
Trotman said that one area that was not addressed in the accord is Local Government, and the party will look to formalize and agree upon a unified approach to address this issue.
That aside, there are no specific areas that the AFC will be looking to negotiate with APNU. “We are going in with an open mind… hopefully at the end of it we will have a much stronger union”.
Trotman, the current Natural Resources Minister, said that they will be approaching the review with an open mind, since going into such engagements with a set agenda can be counterproductive and may not work. He said that while many aspects of the accord have worked well, there is room for improvement in other areas. However, Trotman did not say what areas have been working and those that need to be addressed.
Notwithstanding that, Trotman said that there is no need for the AFC to extract itself from the union, and stated that it was his opinion that the coalition has worked well in the interest of the country. Looking ahead, the AFC leader envisages a stronger union after the review has been completed.
It was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who told Kaieteur News that the time has come for the accord to be re-evaluated.
Nagamootoo made it clear that he is of the firm conviction that the Cummingsburg Accord ought to be renegotiated. The Prime Minister said that the document was for a limited duration and was not intended that it should last indefinitely.
The Prime Minister said, “As new situations develop you may wish to reexamine the Accord and see whether there are some things you want to renegotiate or prioritize…”
The First Vice President was then asked if the AFC already has its eyes set on certain areas that it would want to renegotiate with APNU.
To this he said, “Politics is a dynamic process. Nothing remains constant. And I would be the first to admit that being in government for two years now; you would find it convenient to revisit platforms of the programme which is the Accord. You have to. Circumstances have changed.”
The Prime Minister continued, “You have two years of experience in government. And you now know that though we have tread cautiously in the first two years, that you may now wish to move forward boldly on some matters rather than pursuing everything at the same time.”
Nagamootoo added, “So the Accord is a working document that defines the relationship among the coalition partners while its manifesto determines the plan of action that ought to be pursued, so those are two different things.”
The political advisor to the AFC said that it is recommended that if Government is in mid-term, one would want to reevaluate and prioritize.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
How do you analyse a Budget?
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- What if in tabling the 2025 Budget, the Minister with responsibility for Finance did... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
