POLITICAL parties in Guyana and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) have expressed their condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, who died on Monday morning.

In release on Monday, The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) extended its deepest condolences to Arthur’s family, the people of Barbados and CARICOM.

“We will always be thankful for his efforts to foster peaceful, healthy relations between Guyana and our sister nation Barbados. He served his country honorably as Prime Minister, and continued to contribute his diplomacy, statesmanship and class to regional efforts to maintain democracy everywhere. Democratic Guyana recognises Mr. Arthur’s stand for democracy as an accredited observer in Guyana’s 2020 Electoral Process, and salutes him for being a beacon of solidarity,” the party stated.

Meanwhile, Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Irfaan Ali wrote on his Facebook page: “It is with a great sense of sadness, I learnt of the passing of a true CARICOM man. Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur to his last breath represented and stood up for justice, freedom, democracy and fairness in a member state of CARICOM, Guyana. He will be remembered as a selfless, inspiring, fair and exceptional leader who definitely was a proud representative of Barbados. He has left his mark, a great legacy for all leaders to follow. To his family, the Government and people of Barbados, we join you in mourning this great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We thank you for sharing this great son of Barbados with us, the people of Guyana. May his soul rest in peace.”

Leader of The New Movement (TNM), Dr. Asha Kissoon said that she is also saddened by the passing of the former Prime Minister as during her brief encounter with him earlier in the year, he encouraged her to “keep strong” and to “make a difference” in the world.

“Sometimes when I’m down I remind myself of his words. He is a hero to Guyana, he stood up for us and stood for our democracy. We will miss you,” Kissoon said. Similarly, Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman said that Arthur was a “man of principles and fighter for democracy.”

Also adding its voice to the tributes, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) said that Arthur’s commitment to democracy was evident in Guyana as he led the Commonwealth Observer Group at the March 2, 2020 Regional and General Elections.

The PSC said that the former Prime Minister executed his duties with “courage and integrity”. It added: “The PSC joins the people of Guyana and the Region in extending its sincerest sympathies to the family, relatives and friends of Rt. Hon Owen Arthur and shares the region’s grief at his passing.