WIN, APNU talks end without breakthrough

Aug 25, 2026 News

---

…as opposition factions seek common ground

(Kaieteur News) – Representatives from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) met on Monday at Brandsville Hotel in a bid to resolve escalating disagreements over administrative and electoral appointments.

The 50-minute meeting between the country’s main opposition factions concluded without immediate resolution on key disputes, but both parties described the engagement as cordial and confirmed they are working toward establishing a structured framework and a future Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Speaking to reporters outside the venue following the meeting, Leader of the Opposition and WIN Leader Azruddin Mohamed emphasised that while specific points of contention were not formally ironed out during the session, the dialogue was productive. “We had part of discussions. We will be issuing a joint statement later today,” Mohamed stated. “We had no discussions on the way forward with the Local Government Commission and GECOM issue… Dialogue will continue and as I have said, the meeting was well done.”

Mohamed noted that both sides need to return to their respective party memberships and Members of Parliament to deliberate before establishing a formal way forward. “I don’t think it is fair for us to go through all of that when we have already agreed to having one agreed-upon statement released to the press… I do feel as though it was a very amicable discussion that was had, one that appeared to have been friendly enough given the circumstances,” Mohamed added. APNU Leader Aubrey Norton similarly confirmed to reporters that both sides agreed to hold back detailed disclosures until the release of their joint statement, focusing instead on establishing ground rules for future engagements. “As far as I’m aware, we agreed that there will be a joint press statement,” Norton said. “In principle, we have agreed that we will work out a clear approach to moving forward… If you’re in serious negotiations, you need to have clear principles, a clear framework to be guided. You can’t just hopscotch.”

Norton confirmed that while an MOU is expected at a later stage, the current focus remains on setting foundational terms. “We didn’t push in that direction [on specific issues]. Like I said, we just want to agree that we have a clear framework, so we are on one page when we’re talking,” he remarked. Dr. David Hinds, who represented APNU alongside Norton, reinforced the seriousness of the engagement. “We want to impress that we came to this meeting with a serious intent, and insofar as we are going to pursue future engagements, they will be treated with the seriousness that they deserve,” Hinds told reporters.

The high-stakes meeting follows public criticism from Norton regarding WIN’s recent submission of nominees for the Local Government Commission (LGC) to President Irfaan Ali. Norton expressed strong disappointment after WIN submitted names for Leola Narine and Leslyn Lowe (WIN), alongside Nicholas Chesney of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), without including APNU’s recommended nominees, Joan Ann Ramacindo and Ronald Daniels. Norton argued that fairness and political proportionality, given APNU’s 12 seats in the National Assembly compared to WIN’s 16, demanded APNU hold at least one seat on the commission.

Beyond the LGC dispute, the talks were to be aimed at addressing broader opposition friction following political realignments from the 2025 General and Regional Elections. Key issues include representation on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), where WIN has sought the replacement of long-serving Opposition-nominated Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman with Roysdale Forde, S.C., Siand Dhurjon, and Damien DaSilva. APNU, however, remains firm that it cannot influence the resignations of the sitting commissioners.

Additional points of contention include a dispute over 69 field scrutineer appointments under Section 33D of the Representation of the People Act, as well as the post-election leadership outcome in Region 10, where a coalition of APNU, PPP/C, and FGM councillors elected the RDC Chairman and Vice Chairman, effectively bypassing WIN’s 9-seat plurality. Monday’s talks were attended by key figures from both delegations. WIN was represented by Mohamed, alongside MPs Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Duarte Hertsberger, Vishnu Panday, and Odessa Primus. The APNU delegation comprised Norton, Dr. Hinds, MPs Ganesh Mahipaul, Coretta McDonald, and Dr. Dexter Todd, as well as Attorney-at-Law Ronald Daniels. Both parties are expected to release their agreed-upon joint statement detailing the outcome of the session and the parameters for upcoming talks. Up to press time, no such joint statement was confirmed.

---

• APNU, electoral appointments, talks, win

---