—signal intention to meet again despite holding no substantive discussions on issues that prompted engagement

FIVE days after their high-level meeting, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have issued a joint statement signalling their intention to continue political engagement, although no final decisions were reached on the substantive issues that prompted the talks.
The statement, issued on Saturday following the August 24 meeting between delegations led by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and APNU Chairman Aubrey Norton, identified matters concerning the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and nominations to the Local Government Commission (LGC) as the basis for the engagement.
According to the statement, the meeting stemmed from correspondence exchanged between the two opposition parties regarding the appointment of GECOM commissioners and electoral scrutineers; the ongoing impasse affecting the functioning of the Region 10 RDC; and nominations to the LGC.
However, despite those matters forming the basis for the meeting, the parties confirmed that “no final decisions were taken on the substantive matters discussed.”
Instead, the two sides said the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on developing “general and specific guidelines” that would govern their future engagement.
WIN is expected to consult its leadership and membership before deciding whether it will name a three-member team to work alongside a similar three-member team from APNU to develop those guidelines.
APNU, meanwhile, is expected to consult the other parties within its coalition before selecting its representatives.
The joint statement had been expected since Monday.
Immediately following the meeting, Mohamed told reporters that the parties had not discussed the way forward on the LGC and GECOM issues, explaining that consultations with their respective members and parliamentarians would first be required.
He had also indicated that the parties were working towards establishing terms of reference for continued dialogue and possibly a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A joint statement was promised for later that day but was not released.
The statement issued on Saturday described Monday’s meeting as “cordial” and said the broader engagement was aimed at examining matters of mutual concern and the prospects for greater political co-operation.
Mohamed was accompanied by WIN General Secretary Odessa Primus and MPs Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Natasha Singh, Duarte Hetsberger and Vishnu Panday.
Norton’s APNU delegation included PNCR General Secretary Sherwin Benjamin; MPs Dr David Hinds, Ganesh Mahipaul, Coretta McDonald and Dr Dexter Todd; along with Ronald Daniels and Shaneika Haynes.