Latest update January 27th, 2025 1:55 AM
APNU, AFC say committed to talks towards Coalition for 2025 elections
Kaieteur News- The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), that is currently on ‘life support’, could still bloom into a Coalition between the two sides ahead of this year’s Elections.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a partnership in separate press conferences on Friday.
Hours after the MoU was signed on Thursday, paving the way for discussions on a possible Coalition, Leader of the AFC, Nigel Hughes hosted a late-night press conference, indicating that the agreement was on life support. At the time, Hughes would only say that “trust and confidentiality” are key principles, sacred to the AFC.
Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton
Kaieteur News understands that another section of the media reported on the contents of the MoU, which may not have been accurate.
With the talks seemingly on rocky ground, Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton told the media, “I believe that we have the ability to engage and resolve whatever issues emerge.”
Meanwhile, with regards to the coveted title of Presidential candidate, Norton hinted at remaining open to not leading any future Coalition.
He explained, “I have long said that the PNC Congress said that I will be the presidential candidate and if there is going to be any other as it relates to the PNC, I will be the person to determine. I wouldn’t venture to speaking past that.”
AFC Chairman, David Patterson
Norton explained that while political parties take positions, as a “mature politician” he is tasked with analyzing the situation to work towards a Coalition to achieve the objective of overturning a “corrupt, incompetent political party” mismanaging the resources of the country.
To this end, he expressed confidence that the parties will address its issues and move forward.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the AFC, David Patterson in a statement explained that the party is willing to engage and take the talks off life support. He however outlined a series of conditions that must be met in this regard by both sides.
Patterson underscored the importance of complete respect for the negotiation process by both parties and the terms of engagement adhered to by all concerned.
Importantly, the Chairman stressed that all party and personal preconditions must be put aside in the interest of what is good for the nation rather than party or personal gains.
Additionally, he noted, “That a clear mutually agreed Political Platform alternative to the current status quo be (must be) developed and presented jointly to the nation for consideration,” while the March 31, 2025, deadline must be strictly adhered to, with the understanding that “nothing is agreed until all is agreed.”
The AFC, under the stewardship of former Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, had decided not to renew the Cummingsburg Accord- the binding agreement with the APNU- in 2023 upon its expiration.
On February 14, 2015, the AFC signed the binding agreement and went on to defeat the PPP at the 2015 elections held in May that year. Since then, the Coalition has stood together but not without its internal hiccups.
(APNU, AFC says committed to talks towards Coalition for 2025 elections)
(Coalition for 2025 elections)
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