Latest update April 1st, 2026 12:40 AM
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Jamaica is concerned about developments in Guyana
Dear Editor,
Press reports concerning two recent meetings involving some members of the diplomatic and donor community caught my attention.
The first was a meeting with the Parliamentary opposition, the other was with a government delegation.
Regrettably, the entire diplomatic community was not part of these bilaterals; they were restricted to the ABC countries and the E.U.
Be that as it may, at the meeting between members of the diplomatic community and the parliamentary opposition a case was made out with respect to the consequences following passage of the No Confidence Motion in the National Assembly.
And at the meeting with government representatives and the diplomats including the Caricom Secretary General the invitees were told that the passage of the No Confidence Motion is of no legal effect.
But the parliamentary opposition left no stone unturned.
In light of the convening of a sitting of the National Assembly a letter was dispatched to the Speaker of the National Assembly drawing to his attention the unconstitutionality of the sitting and that the parliamentary opposition will not participate therein.
Copies of the letter were dispatched to the diplomatic and donor community including the Caricom Secretariat.
Based on reports about the meetings with the Heads of ABC countries plus the EU Delegation and the Secretariat the messages conveyed to the public by both sides were diametrically opposed to each other.
The presence of the EU Delegation and CARICOM Secretary General at the two separate meetings and opposition’s letter sent to the CARICOM Secretariat are instructive.
What must be clear to the entire International community, is the message emanating from the National Assembly where the Speaker of the House rebuffed the request by the APNU+AFC for a review of the 33 – 32 vote.
The gravity of the situation was recently highlighted in an editorial of the Jamaica Observer newspaper pointing out that;
‘The protracted period of uncertainty has all the ingredients to create a flash point that could roll back much of the advancement that Guyana has made in its political process.’
The Observer went on: ‘Caricom must standby to offer assistance, if needed, in a way that is acceptable to both government and opposition. Guyana cannot afford to falter at this time, not when it is on the cusp of a new horizon and real possibilities. And if it falters, the entire Caribbean Community is worst off.’
In the Revised Treaty of Chaguramas provision is made for; ‘A broad range of dispute settlement modes to address and resolve disputes at the national and regional levels, these include; including good offices, mediation, conciliation, consultations, arbitration and judicial settlement’
There is precedent within the region for one, or any combination of these modes to be applied either at the national and/or regional level.
And notwithstanding the proviso that CARICOM is ‘by fact and by law an intergovernmental association of autonomous political and economic entities’ member states are committed to CARICOM’s Charter of Civil Society which is; ‘An important element of the Community’s structure to deal with matters such as a free press, a fair and open democratic process, the effective functioning of the parliamentary system, morality in public affairs, respect for fundamental civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, accountability and transparency in government.’
Guyana is Party to the Charter and is obliged to uphold the principles enshrined therein.
As far as the European Union is concerned, within the meaning of the Partnership Agreement between members of the ACP and the EU provision exists for political dialogue and consultative procedures.
According to the Agreement; ‘The dialogue shall focus, inter-alia, on specific political issues of mutual concern or of general significance.’
The specific issues include; respect for human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law and governance.
The Agreement stipulates that representatives of civil society as well as ACP Parliamentarians shall be associated with the dialogue.
Thus, having regard to their respective mandates, both CARICOM and the European Union, have roles to play in the circumstances presently obtaining in Guyana once called upon by the relevant stakeholders.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J. Rohee
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