Gov’t tells foreign powers Guyana is a sovereign State

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday confirmed that Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States Dr Riyad Insanally met with Acting Assistant Secretary of State Michael Kozak on Thursday, March 26 and the discussions dealt with the developments of the March 2 general and regional elections.

A statement from the Ministry reaffirmed that Guyana “remains a sovereign state governed by the rule of law.”

See the Ministry’s full statement below:

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

PRESS RELEASE

March 27, 2020

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the public, that on Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 4:30 p.m., Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Dr. Riyad Insanally, discussed with Acting Assistant Secretary of State Michael Kozak, at his request, the situation with regard to the General and Regional Elections in Guyana.

In this context, and for the benefit of all international partners and friends, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to affirm that Guyana remains a sovereign state governed by the rule of law and recalls the following facts with regard to the current situation in Guyana:

• General and Regional Elections 2020 were conducted according to the Constitution and Laws of Guyana on March 2, 2020.
• The electoral process is managed by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), an independent body, constitutionally mandated to conduct and manage, free, fair, and transparent elections.
• Guyana appreciates the role and work of all the invited Observers
• The executive branch of Government has never tried to influence, interfere with or instruct GECOM in any way.
• The electoral process is not yet completed and no declaration has been made by GECOM.
• The executive branch attempted, sincerely and in good faith, to find a way forward by inviting the CARICOM team to conduct a recount.
• The Supreme Court has been approached and has intervened; its rulings, which are still being awaited, will be respected in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of Guyana.
• There is no break down in the rule of law in Guyana.The APNU+AFC coalition government remains in place until a successor would have been declared and sworn-in in its stead.

ENDS