Since the announcement by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo that the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration is open for talks with the Opposition for a unity government, there has been much debate on the matter.Talks of a national unity government are not a new discourse to Guyana since such a formula of governance was proposed more than 50 years ago by political icon and doyen Eusi Kwayana. And even though there were discussions between President Forbes Burnham and then Opposition Leader Dr Cheddi Jagan in the 1980s, the aspiration of unity government or a National Front Alliance as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would want to call it is yet to be realised.
But importantly, from the public pronouncements of the PPP, it appears that the leadership of the party has not closed the doors to such talks, though it has indicated that it will not participate with Prime Minister Nagamootoo leading the discussion from the government’s side. The PPP’s reaction of having to engage the Prime Minister in the unity talks was prompt and acerbic to say the least, and the former did not allow it to pass without a response. From the early exchange, it was an inauspicious start to the discussion of a unity government but not the abrupt end to the vision to present to Guyana the ‘great magnificent seven’– a coalition government including the PPP.
Currently, from the look of things, the atmosphere does not appear ideal for such engagement between the government and the PPP given that the forensic audits are still ongoing and Local Government Elections are around the corner. National elections in Guyana are usually a period of strong rivalry, and added to this, no one knows what the auditors will find. It is for these reasons the atmosphere might not be the best now (1) because of the jostle between the political parties for support as Local Government Elections nears; and (2) the cordial spirit of the unity talks can possibly engineer a soft landing for miscreants discovered in the forensic audits.
All upright minds would agree that persons who commit fraud and other illegal activities while in office must be brought to book, and importantly, the administration had promised to ensure greater accountability and transparency while in power. Whichever administration is at the helm, accountability and transparency have to key on their agenda, not only in rhetoric but in action.
It is with this in mind that while a unity government is ideal for social cohesion as it allows for political inclusivity; political inclusivity must not be at the expense of accountability. Failure to achieve the latter will result in a failure of the unity government since it will allow for the festering of corruption which will breed discontent and resentment among the people. Guyanese, especially the youth who comprised over 60 per cent of the population want to see the government and the Opposition work together, but they also want to see a lean and clean government.
When the dust is settled, and the Opposition is ready for the talks, it will be imperative that in the discussion for political inclusivity, accountability is not treated as a secondary matter. Guyana longed for a unity government since for too long the country has been divided among ethnic lines because of distrust among the major political forces — the PPP and APNU/AFC. The solution for the way forward can be found in a unity government but one guided by rigorous checks and balance; a focus on bridging inequality by providing equal opportunities for all; and creating an environment where respect, tolerance and cultural development flourish. Only in a united Guyana can we achieve our motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.