Nothing will come of the Washington Conference

Oct 01, 2023 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Kaieteur News – The APNU+AFC, Guyana’s main Opposition party, finds itself engulfed skepticism and mistrust. At present it is on a mission in Washington to lobby support for good governance in Guyana.

But is must not be fooled by outer appearances. While it may enjoy the normal courtesies associated with private Congressional engagements, there is a cloud of doubt hanging over its commitment to democratic politics.

The APNU+AFC attempts to benefit from rigged elections in Guyana have raised questions about their commitment to operate with respect for the norms of electoral democracy. The passage of three years since the dubious attempt to steal the 202 general and regional elections will not erase from the public minds the attempts to derail the 2020 elections, a development that raised serious concerns across the Caribbean

The attempt to frustrate the democratic will of the people was internationally condemned, including by international organizations and governments.  This episode hurt the credibility and legitimacy of the APNU+AFC and while political figures in the United States are likely to be courteous to them, they are not likely to be taken seriously.

The hypocrisy of lobbying the US politicians could not be more glaring. It was the APNU+AFC which accused the United States government of ‘installing’ the PPPC government in office. Yet now it wants to lobby US politicians to force the government to practice good governance. Perhaps while it is the United States it would prepare its dossier as to the evidence it has about voter fraud in Guyana during the 2020 elections.

The hypocrisy represents a stark and confounding twist in the narrative in which the US was vehemently accused of “installing” the PPPC government in Guyana. The same APNU+AFC which pushes this narrative now finds itself Washington, D.C., lobbying for good governance. The very allegations the APNU+AFC hurled at the U.S. government appear to have been forgotten or conveniently set aside in their pursuit of international support. This about-face raises fundamental questions about the sincerity of their claims and their commitment to democratic values. It reinforces the idea that political expediency, rather than principled conviction, may be at the heart of their actions.

It also raises concern as to the APNU+AFC’s motives. Those politicians in Washington are not easily fooled. They will question whether the APNU+AFC is on a genuine quest for good governance in Guyana or whether the lobby efforts of the APNU+AFC is driven by a calculated attempt to regain political power.

The APNU+AFC’s efforts to lobby the Congressional Caucus for support and good governance in Guyana appear somewhat ironic. The Caucus, no doubt, will scrutinize the party’s claims and intentions closely. They will be aware of the allegations against the APNU+AFC and will likely see through any attempts at manipulation or hypocrisy.

The APNU+AFC has to first provide evidence and assurance that they are committed to democratic principles and free and fair elections. The APNU+AFC cannot credibly speak about good governance when it is being accused of attempting to benefit from rigged elections, thereby attempting to derail the democratic process.

For the PNCR, restoring credibility and transparency will be a long and arduous journey. They must demonstrate their commitment to democratic principles before they can claim the moral authority to speak about good governance.

Nothing will come of the Washington Conference. The APNU+AFC will find little traction for their claims of ethnic discrimination. They have already been told to go and get the evidence.

This is simply not the right time for a discredited Opposition to be lobbying Washington still reeling from the political ramifications of the storming of the Capitol. The storming of the U.S. Capitol on that fateful day sent shockwaves across the political spectrum, both within the United States and around the world. The images of insurrectionists breaching the heart of American democracy served as a sobering reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions. In the aftermath of this unprecedented event, politicians of all stripes found themselves compelled to distance themselves from undemocratic forces. This has forced many leaders in Washington to reevaluate their political alliances.

Many lawmakers who had previously flirted with or tolerated extremist elements felt a renewed sense of responsibility to uphold the principles of democracy. The storming of the Capitol acted as a catalyst for a re-commitment to the peaceful transition of power and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of distancing oneself from any movement or group that threatened these fundamental democratic norms. As such the politicians in Washington will be cautious when dealing with the APNU+AFC given its track record.

The US politicians will be courteous and welcoming. But that will be as good as it gets.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

• APNU+AFC, Congressional, Guyana, Politics, Washington Conference