Western diplomats voice concern over prolonged parliamentary inactivity

May 20, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) –The diplomatic missions of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union have underscored the importance of parliamentary oversight and democratic governance amid Guyana’s nearly 100-day absence of parliamentary sittings, with the international partners highlighting the need for active legislative engagement during a period of rapid economic transformation.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said he is “unable to say” when the legislative body will meet.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs confirmed with Kaieteur News that no date has been set. “I do not know,” he said while clarifying that the date for the sitting of the National Assembly is set by the government.

“Meetings are convened by the government; they would instruct the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs,” he reminded.

As Guyana undergoes rapid economic transformation fueled by its booming oil sector, the country’s top international allies have broken their silence on the legislative standstill. EU Ambassador Luca Pierantoni in an invited comment emphasised the necessity of active governance, stating, “We look forward to intensive parliamentary engagement that will enable Guyana to advance its ambitious reform agenda. The work of Parliament is essential in fulfilling the democratic principles shared by Guyana, the Caribbean Community and the European Union.”

The U.S. Embassy in a statement underlined the link between legislative oversight and the nation’s ongoing economic boom, noting that, “A well-functioning parliament with legislative oversight is an important part of democratic governance.”

“Such oversight is important to safeguard Guyana’s continued economic growth and transformation and represent the voices of its their citizens,” the embassy said.

Meanwhile, Canadian Ambassador Sébastien Sigouin stressed the importance of the rule of law and the functional mechanisms of a healthy democracy during this pivotal era for the nation. He observed, “As you know, Canada attaches great importance to democratic institutions, parliamentary accountability, media freedom, and the rule of law, particularly as Guyana undergoes rapid transformation. We would encourage Members of Parliament, across party lines, to make full use of the mechanisms and levers available to them to ensure that the National Assembly plays its essential role in considering, scrutinising, and debating the government’s ambitious agenda.”

A spokesperson for the British High Commission told Kaieteur News that “effective parliamentary institutions are a key pillar of democratic governance. The work of Parliament is an important component of Guyana’s ongoing economic growth and inclusive democratic participation.”

The diplomatic statements follow an international offensive launched by the opposition Forward Guyana Movement (FGM). On May 18, 2026, the party dispatched formal correspondence to a multitude of regional and global watchdog organisations, raising concerns over what they describe as a parliamentary shutdown.

According to an official press release issued by Amanza Walton, MP and Leader of the FGM, the movement has formally written to the leadership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and ParlAmericas. FGM has also brought these developments to the attention of members of the diplomatic community, including representatives of the ABCEU countries.

The FGM contends that the prolonged failure to convene parliament directly violates Article 9 of the Constitution of Guyana, which vests sovereignty in the people, exercisable through their elected representatives and democratic organs. To date, no formal resolution extending any recess has been published, and no public constitutional or procedural justification has been provided by authorities for the continued absence of parliamentary sittings since the 2026 National Budget passed on February 14, 2026. The movement highlights that this legislative void is occurring at a time when institutional vigilance is most critical, arguing that the shutdown has effectively suspended meaningful scrutiny during a period of unprecedented petroleum revenues and major public expenditure.

Furthermore, the FGM’s correspondence alleges a broader, unsettling pattern of democratic erosion, including restrictions on media access to Parliament and the suppression of parliamentary speech. The opposition also notes with concern the continued failure to constitute key parliamentary oversight committees, including the Sectoral Committees and the Public Accounts Committee, more than six months after Parliament reconvened following the 2025 General and Regional Elections. According to FGM, the absence of these committees significantly weakens parliament’s ability to provide continuous scrutiny of government policy, administration, and expenditure at a time when institutional vigilance and transparency are critically important.

The various international organisations were asked to consider interventions consistent with their respective mandates and the democratic principles and agreements to which Guyana has voluntarily subscribed as a member of the international community. Among the measures requested were public reaffirmations of the importance of regular parliamentary sittings, calls for the immediate reconvening of Parliament, monitoring of democratic governance standards, and engagement on issues relating to parliamentary oversight, media freedom, democratic accountability, and the protection of opposition representation. FGM emphasised too that these appeals are not invitations for interference in Guyana’s sovereign affairs, but rather requests for regional and international democratic institutions to uphold and reaffirm the parliamentary and democratic standards to which Guyana has voluntarily committed itself under various regional and international agreements to which it is a state party.

FGM noted that while the responsibility for protecting democracy in Guyana ultimately rests with the people of Guyana themselves and their constitutional institutions, Guyana’s democratic trajectory is also a matter of legitimate regional and international concern. Walton further characteried the stakes for the nation, stating, “A Parliament that does not sit cannot effectively scrutinize public spending, represent the people, or hold power accountable. At a time of unprecedented oil wealth, democratic oversight in Guyana should be expanding, not disappearing”.

The movement stated that it will continue to pursue all lawful, democratic, and institutional avenues available to ensure that parliamentary democracy, transparency, accountability, and constitutional governance are preserved and protected in Guyana.

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• ABCEU diplomatic missions, Luca Pierantoni, Parliament

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