–Hinds says, calls on party to make better contributions to achieve national cohesion
–recalls the abrupt termination of official transition when coalition took office in 2015

FORMER Prime Minister and President of Guyana, Samuel Hinds, has issued a compelling call for the APNU+AFC to embrace the “whole truth” in the pursuit of national reconciliation.

His appeal comes in response to the ongoing dialogue surrounding former A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo’s recent book, “My Quest for National Unity – Dear Land of Guyana.”

Hinds, who is the Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), in a recent letter to the editor, urged his fellow party members to acknowledge the full complexity of Guyana’s political history, including the actions and consequences of their own party’s policies.

He signalled the need for honesty and transparency in addressing the deep-rooted divisions within Guyanese society.
Nagamootoo’s book has sparked debate with its reflections on the events surrounding the 2020 General and Regional Elections, particularly his portrayal of the loss of dignity experienced by Guyanese citizens during the transition of power.

However, Hinds believes that Nagamootoo’s narrative fails to capture the complete truth, particularly regarding the role of the APNU+AFC in exacerbating racial tensions.
He underscored the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths in order to move forward as a unified nation.

Hinds argued that genuine national reconciliation requires a candid acknowledgment of past injustices and a commitment to forging a more inclusive future for all Guyanese.

“We humans, being what we are, Moses might have tempered his feelings of being disrespected had he recalled the events preceding that change of government: Five long, tortuous months full of anxiety following our elections of March 2; and more than 19 months after his government lost the no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018.

“Moses, immediately after that historical loss, had asserted that his government would conform to the standard parliamentary requirement of arranging and holding new elections within 90 days. We, Guyanese and Guyana, for 19 months were put to a severe test of not tearing ourselves apart. There are many to whom we should be thankful that we did not go over the edge,” Hinds said.

Delving into his own encounters, Hinds vividly recounts the atmosphere when the APNU+AFC coalition won the 2015 elections.
He recalled the abrupt termination of changeover arrangements and the demeaning treatment he experienced, such as the downgrading of his official vehicle and the cancellation of a planned walk-through.

Notably, Hinds revealed a startling detail of resorting to travel by minibus accompanied by a bodyguard, highlighting the stark contrast to the usual circumstance often associated with governmental transitions.

“Changeover arrangements between the Hinds and Nagamootoo families were abruptly ended; a last walk-through was cancelled; the PM’s car was demanded but soon demoted to the backup position whilst I caught a minibus to travel to our city centre with my close man,” Hinds said as he reflected on the rawness of his experience and the humility he exhibited amidst the challenging circumstances.

Highlighting the historical context of Guyana’s political landscape, Hinds touched upon the legacy of past injustices and divisions within the country.
From the split of the PPP in 1955 to the challenges leading up to the 1992 elections, he stressed the need to address and reconcile with the past to move forward as a unified nation.

“Moses would have known of the anguish and wrongs done to Dr Jagan, and the members of the PPP from the split of the PPP in 1955: The gerrymandered constituency boundaries, the rigged elections of 1968 to 1985, the travails to the 1992 elections after two aborted attempts, and the events from December 2018 to August 2020,” Ambassador Hinds said.

Central to his message was the call for a shared commitment to national cohesion and prosperity, as he echoed President Dr Irfaan Ali’s call for “One Guyana,” highlighting the need for collective effort and support, particularly in light of recent discoveries of oil off Guyana’s shores.

Hinds expressed hope for a more significant contribution to national cohesion, urging all Guyanese to embrace narratives of whole truths as a crucial step towards achieving reconciliation and building a brighter future for the nation.

“It is good to recognise that our ‘Dear Land of Guyana’ needs greater cohesion; there are none but us to labour for it. Moses would know that we have a lot to clear from our chests. Our Dear Land of Guyana needs reconciliation.
“We need narratives of whole truths for national reconciliation. It needs no saying that I keep hoping for a better contribution to national cohesion from Moses,” he said.

Newspaper columnist and political activist, Freddie Kissoon recently did a review of Nagamootoo’s book, which he said has left a “gaping aperture in Guyana’s historiography.”
“He told his audience that his book is about his journey of contribution to the quest for political and social cohesion in Guyana. But the contents of his book contradict that.

“How can you launch your memoir about your attempts to bring reconciliation to Guyana yet when you were in power for five years, your administration exacerbated the divisions in Guyana and your own individual performance in government allowed for the expansion of the divisions?” Kissoon said in his critique of Nagamootoo’s book.