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Is Guyana heading for a one-party State by excluding opposition parties from national planning?
Dear Editor,
This is a national cry!
I write to express my consternation and deep disappointment regarding the recent meeting convened by President Irfaan Ali to outline Guyana’s development plan for the next five years. Our, Guyana’s motto -One People, One Nation, One Destiny- seems to be consecrated to dust. Admittedly, the presentation of a national roadmap is both necessary and welcome but deliberate exclusion of the current parliamentarians of political parties, WIN, APNU, ANUG & FGM, is most vacuous. The current largest opposition party, WIN- led by the presumptive Leader of the Opposition, MP Azruddin Mohamed- still waiting to be confirmed, as the Opposition Leader, is a severe indignity to democratic principles and national cohesion.
Guyana stands at a pivotal moment in its history, with unprecedented economic transformation bringing both opportunity and profound challenge. For a plan of such magnitude to be legitimate, sustainable, and truly national, it must be built upon inclusive dialogue and incorporate diverse perspectives. The exclusion of the official parliamentary opposition, which represents nearly half of the electorate, undermines the very foundation of participatory democracy. It suggests that the plan is afoot to create partisan document rather than a national compact.
The specific omission of WIN- as the largest opposition bloc – is particularly egregious. Its elected representatives carry the mandate of hundreds of thousands of Guyanese citizens. To sideline them is to disregard the voices of a significant portion of the population. This approach fosters alienation, deepens political division, and jeopardizes the long-term stability required to navigate our nation’s complex future. History has revealed that, post-Independence 1966, to date, Guyana growth trajectory has been entombed because development plan is crafted behind closed doors, with only the governing party and selected stakeholders at the table. This practice creates lax critical scrutiny and buy-in necessary for enduring success.
Why this exclusionary approach? Is Guyana trending towards being a totalitarian regime?
Editor, statesmanship, not bullyism, demands that the President and his administration immediately engage the leader and representatives WIN, along with other opposition parties, in a serious and substantive manner regarding this five-year plan. The challenges we face—from managing resource wealth equitably to ensuring social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and regional development—are not partisan issues. They are Guyanese issues, requiring Guyanese solutions forged through dialogue and respect for all democratic institutions and representatives.
In conclusion, our nation, Guyana’s progress must be built on unity, not division; on inclusion, not exclusion. I personally call on all civil society organizations, the private sector, religious bodies, and the diplomatic community to add their voices in advocating for a return to inclusive governance and decry despotism.
The future of Guyana is too important to be left to one party alone.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Subrian Esq.
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