Opposition boycotts Pres. Ali ‘unstructured’ talks

Sep 16, 2026 News

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…demand genuine consultation

(Kaieteur News) – Representatives of the opposition-led, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parties refused to attend parliamentary sub- committee meetings held by President Irfaan Ali, citing lack of clarity on the agenda.

According to a statement issued by President Ali’s Facebook page, the head of state met with members of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Foreign Relations as part of efforts to further align the work of his government with the legislative arm.

During the meeting at the office of the president, the head of state updated representatives of his government on the parliamentary sub-committee on key foreign policy matters, including the ICJ proceedings and the third country national agreement between Guyana and the United States of America.

“All members of the committee were invited through the speaker of the national assembly to meet with the president on matters of national importance. However, up to the time of the meeting, the parliamentary opposition members had neither accepted nor declined the invitation to the speaker of the national assembly,” the statement outlined.

The release added that those present welcomed the engagement and expressed their desire for continued engagement in furtherance of the development of Guyana’s foreign policy agenda.

At the meeting, President Ali outlined that it is his government’s intention to strengthen its work with all parliamentary committees in an open, transparent and accountable manner.

However, WIN responded in a statement noting that the president’s decision to bypass genuine engagement with the Leader of the Opposition and instead seek to engage individual parliamentary committee’s raises serious concern.

The statement added “The president’s invitation to members of the foreign relations committee and the economic services committee, sent without an agenda or indication of the matters to be discussed, is therefore troubling. These are parliamentary committees, not departments of the executive.”

The party noted that clarification was sought from the speaker of the national assembly, including a request for an agenda or an indication of the purpose of the proposed meeting.

“No meaningful response was received. Under these circumstances, WIN does not believe it is appropriate for its members to participate in the meeting. This decision is also informed by the wider treatment of members and supporters of the political opposition in recent weeks, including the detention, the seizure of phones and vehicles, and degrading treatment of persons while in state custody,” WIN said in its release.

“We cannot ignore these developments and then participate as though normal institutional relations exist…The office of the leader of the opposition views the manner in which the president has sought to engage members of parliamentary committees as a further disregard for the constitutional role of the office of the leader of the opposition and the independence of parliament.”

“Members of parliament are elected to represent the people of Guyana through their respective political parties. Opposition members of parliament do so collectively under the leadership of the leader of the opposition, a constitutional office established to provide oversight and accountability to the executive,” the party added.

A statement of Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir dispatched via Facebook attempted to debunk the claims that the opposition’s questions were not answered.

The statement noted the opposition’s absence raises important questions about commitment, accountability, and their role in matters of national importance.

Meanwhile, members of the APNU noted that as members of parliament serving on the Foreign Relations and Economic Services Committees, they believe such meetings should take place before agreements are finalised and signed, so that participation could meaningfully influence national decisions.

“Any such meeting must have a clear agenda and the relevant documentation, including proposed agreements, financing frameworks and assessments of their implications, so that all participants can engage in informed discussion in the national interest…we have no difficulty participating in a properly planned and organised meeting with the President aimed at advancing the interests of the Guyanese people.”

The APNU noted therefore that presenting the opposition with an accomplished fact and calling it consultation is an unacceptable fait accompli.

“We therefore expect this information sufficiently in advance of any meeting to allow proper examination and preparation.”

As a principled opposition party in a democracy, APNU said it must determine whether to attend the meetings proposed by the President according to the prevailing context and content.

“Our decision cannot be reduced to an automatic acceptance or rejection of an invitation. We will assess whether there is a genuine opportunity to influence policy, obtain answers and secure improvements for the people we represent.

Attending a meeting after national decisions have already been made, with no genuine opportunity to change them is not consultation. It is a dictatorial exercise seeking cover behind a poorly planned political photo opportunity. Attendance must never be misrepresented as endorsement, and legitimate disagreement must never be dismissed as opposition to development,” the party said.

It noted that foreign relations and economic development require adequate discussion and consultation before Guyana is committed to consequential actions, financial obligations or international arrangements.

“The government must explain the options, costs, risks and safeguards, and seek broad national support. It must not commit the country to actions whose national support it has neither sought nor established, then summon elected representatives to provide political cover. The PPP/C cannot substitute a presidential announcement for a national consensus,” the APNU stated.

Commenting on the boycott, founder of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) party Amanza Walton noted WIN and APNU are right to reject the president’s latest attempt to engage parliament selectively and entirely on his own terms.

Walton asserted “Their refusal must not be reduced to a disagreement over attendance or the absence of an agenda. The larger issue is the president’s continuing disregard for parliament as an institution. President Ali did not address the 13th National Assembly when it was convened. For five successive parliaments before this one, the sitting president addressed the national assembly at its opening. President Ali chose to present his national programme right outside the doors of parliament instead of entering the chamber to address the national assembly. That deliberate choice has compounded the institutional disrespect.”

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• APNU, boycotts, parliamentary sub- committee, unstructured’talks, We Invest in Nationhood

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