No deal yet with APNU, AFC

Apr 01, 2025 News

…“positive talks” still ongoing- sources

Kaieteur News- The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are still locked in talks as the two sides iron out the details of a possible union, ahead of this year’s National Elections.

Leader of the Opposition and PNC/R, Aubrey Norton

Sources close to the negotiations told Kaieteur News on Monday that the discussions were “positive”. While the two sides remained tip-lipped on the nature of agreements tied so far, this newspaper understands that negotiators shook hands to extend the previously agreed timeline- March 31- for a final decision on the future of a Coalition between the parties.

Importantly, both sides have expressed a willingness to address differences to join forces against the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government. Following a meeting between Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton and Leader of the AFC, Nigel Hughes on Monday morning, Norton informed the media that the door was not closed to a Coalition.

He said, “Basically what we have agreed to is that the AFC will put their recommendations or their positions in writing and then we will meet to address them. I can say to you that we haven’t closed the door on Coalition.”

Meanwhile, Hughes commented, “I think the talks were very useful. Hope is alive and kicking and we look forward to further engagements.”

According to a well-placed source, “The talks are ongoing and nothing is agreed to until all is agreed. The APNU and AFC are political partners that both want what is best for Guyana and we will continue to work hard for an accord that respects both sides and accepted by all sides. Guyanese are depending on us and we must deliver to them.”

On Sunday, the AFC announced that it will only agree to coalesce with the APNU if it agrees to a 60-40 split, where the AFC will hold 40% of the government positions.

According to a statement from the political group, this decision, among others, were made by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on March 30, 2025.

AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes

The AFC also decided that the Party from which the Presidential Candidate is named, shall not be permitted to nominate and/or occupy the position of the Leader of the List and finally that its Party Leader Nigel Hughes shall be the Party’s Presidential Candidate, in keeping with the earlier unanimous decision of the NEC in January of this year.

On January 21, 2025, the APNU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AFC to explore the possibility of coalescing in the upcoming Elections, to be held later this year. This collaboration represents the first phase of a potential two-phase approach to the upcoming elections. Phase Two will focus on developing the necessary arrangements, institutions, and mechanisms to govern effectively and efficiently as a unified entity post-election. However, the MoU stipulates that if no agreement is reached by March 31, 2025, to proceed as a coalition, the agreement will end, and no coalition will be formed.

In Phase One, both parties have agreed to collaborate on a common Campaign Political Platform (CPP). If they reach consensus on the CPP, Phase Two will address the coalition’s governance structure (CGS) and electoral strategy. The MoU outlines several key priorities for pre-election agreements, including the creation of a comprehensive political work programme, coordinated public relations and communication efforts, and an integrated fieldwork approach.

(No deal yet with APNU, AFC)

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AFC, APNU, Coalition, Hughes, MOU, Norton, talks

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