The Alliance For Change has noted with amusement the pretended alarm uttered by no

other than the cabinet secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon regarding his reservation about

the US AID funded Leadership and democracy project.

The AFC believes that any effort which enhances democracy promotes, rather than

undermines sovereignty and at a time when there has been no local government

elections for over fourteen years, and where the country is governed by a minority

party which is continuously at war with the legislative arm of the state, any effort which

improves the participation of a broader cross section of the population in the decision

making process of the country is not only welcomed but necessary.

In this regard the project is not only useful but necessary at a time when Guyana totters

on the brink of a minority authoritarianism.

The PPP Government seems to have conveniently forgotten that it was none other

than their founder leader Dr. Cheddie Jagan, who not only sought but insisted on the

participation of former US President Jimmy Cater in his efforts to enhance democracy in

Guyana in 1992.

The AFC is therefore perplexed by what circumstances might have changed since then

that now categorizes efforts at enhanced democracy as a challenge to sovereignty.

But what could be the justification in not wanting to support a project as this which

has increased participation of the citizenry in democracy building, consensus

building in the National Assembly, funding for research and legal drafting skills for

Parliamentarians, women and youth civic education festivals, and local government

education and awareness? It could only be the downgrading of participatory democracy

and the abandoning of a once loudly heralded PPP’s goal “No Development without

Democracy”.

This newfound political approach of confrontational diplomacy and harsh assailing

of a most senior ranking diplomat from USA, is a retrograde step towards full-fledged

authoritarianism. All Guyanese and perhaps equally importantly the members in the

Guyanese Diaspora in the USA, must speak out against this unacceptable stance

adopted by the government.

AFC supports the position taken by the US government and looks forward to the

positive contribution this project will provide to enhanced leadership and democracy in

Guyana. The AFC endorses this project.

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