Since 2006, the Alliance For Change has promoted actively the concept of creating strategic Alliances to guarantee effective change in Guyana. This was based on the premise that growth and development in our country could be achieved in partnership with “like minded individuals and organisations” who could all commit to a broad set of fundamental principles compatible with the AFC’s and who are willing to put Guyana first. At our Party’s conventions in 2007 and 2009, once again it was mandated that Alliances be forged.

The decisions of the AFC’s recent NEC meeting which was held to examine and develop the Party’s position on Alliances as reported in the media, seems to suggest that the AFC is no longer interested in working with others and feel they can go it alone. Is this true?

This is very far from the truth. At the recent NEC meeting held on Saturday July 24, 2010, the AFC NEC members reaffirmed the Party’s commitment to forging alliances in time for the 2011 elections with like-minded individuals, groups and organisations from civil society before the next General Elections.

I heard that the AFC is not interested in alliance with the PNC or the

PPP. Is that true?

The majority position of the NEC members present was that the AFC was not prepared to consider alliance with either the PPP or PNC as political organisations but was more than willing to consider alliances with “like-minded” personalities within both the PPP or the PNC.

Why does the AFC feel this way?

The AFC over that last four years has had the opportunity to occupy the same political space with these two political institutions which have played a significant role in shaping the current political landscape Guyana finds itself troubled by today. Both have promoted a racially based political system while in Government, and Party hegemony has been the way. Such principles are totally inconsistent and incompatible with the principles of the Alliance For Change.

What critics of the AFC have forgotten is that over the last four years, there have been several occasions when the AFC has attempted to improve relations between these two parties who have consistently responded by shutting the AFC out, and have attempted to negotiate together without the inclusion of the AFC – a Political Party which won six seats in Parliament at the last election. Meetings between President Jagdeo and Mr. Corbin to discuss “national issues” are clear example of this.

Therefore the issue is one of trust! At this point in time, the majority of members of the NEC who participated in a democratic, transparent process of establishing the Party’s position on how we move forward on forging these alliances, were not comfortable with engaging the PNC and PPP as political institutions.

In retrospect the actions displayed by the PNC over the years, such as cutting out the AFC and refusing to hand over to AFC their portion of the scrutineers monies, of which the Elections Commission designated that a portion should be given to the AFC, are just a few things that may have left a bitter taste in the mouths of AFC NEC members and the Party’s general membership.

It is important to note that none-the-less, the Party in its statement of July 24, 2010 did not exclude the minority position expressed at the meeting, which stated that the door should not be closed on the possibility of forming alliance with the PPP/C and the PNC-R.

So how does the AFC see this “alliance building process” working?

When we consider honestly the state of the relationship between the political parties, we will be the first to admit that they are at an all time low. On very few occasions have the political parties in Guyana been able to put aside their differences and work for the greater good of Guyana and its citizens. This is an unfortunate and untenable situation. In this regard, the AFC feels strongly that an active civil society movement and forging partnerships with other stakeholders must be encouraged and pursued. This we believe could provide the vital bridge towards healing and reconciliation – a founding principle of the Alliance For Change, clearly outlined in its 2006 manifesto. As such, the AFC is ready to support a programme which will be to explored and thereafter see the establishment of a mechanism for building alliances among the major stakeholders in Guyana.

But how can we believe this when over the last few months we have seen different positions from the leaders within the AFC?

This is true. The AFC prides itself in it transparency, the opportunity for all members to participate in our decision making process and the shaping of the future of our Party. Up until our recent NEC meeting, we had not debated as a Party and agreed on a comprehensive “AFC position on Alliances” and all the facets of this important debate.

Therefore, several of our members and leaders have expressed their individual positions or that of sections of the membership of the Party.

Now we have established our AFC position and we have selected a negotiating team that will carry this process of forging alliances forward.

What would you say to your critics who feel that the AFC is squandering a golden opportunity for all opposition forces to form an alliance which could see the removal of the PPP?

We understand fully people’s fears given the madness and corruption that has come to define life in Guyana today. We want to reassure them that this is NOT the case. Our priority is not just getting together to push the PPP out and gaining power. We in the AFC are more concerned with what happens next. How do we realise the potential this great nation offers, how do we develop Guyana for the benefit of all Guyanese not just a few select groups. We want real change – the kind that has eluded our country since independence. So our focus is on the process of identifying key principles that all partners can adhere to, a commitment to constitutional reform, e. g. the removal of the powers of the Executive President by a new administration, which are some of the things that will guarantee we never find ourselves in this position again!

This is a long and intense process that must not be spearheaded by the political parties alone, rather by a broad based coalition of Guyanese from all kinds of organizations, who must exercise their responsibility to be part of the process. We cannot leave it to the Political Parties alone to “cut the deals” that will determine Guyana’s future!

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