AFC insists APNU breached Cummingsburg Accord; asks Patterson to reconsider resignation

Following an extraordinary meeting of its Central Executive Committee on Sunday, the Alliance For Change (AFC) continues to insist that its coalition partner – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – breached the Cummingsburg Accord which serves as the binding agreement between the two parties.

The AFC had called the emergency meeting of its Executive Members after the APNU failed to honour the agreement by allowing an AFC Councillor to secure the Vice-Chairman position in two of the three regions the Coalition won at the March 2, 2020 elections.

While this materialised in Region Seven, the AFC failed to get the APNU’s support in Region Four, prompting the resignation of David Patterson as the AFC’s General Secretary.

“The NEC was of the strong view, that a fundamental breach of the Accord was committed, as such a committee has been established to provide guidance and recommendations to the party on the continued effectiveness of the Accord as well as a review of the mechanisms to effect any future agreements,” the statement added.

The committee is expected to submit its report within 10 days, thereafter another meeting will be held on October 18, 2020.

The AFC said Patterson’s resignation from the Party and Parliament was also discussed at the meeting and the members unanimously urged that Patterson reconsider his position.

“The NEC, with the agreement of the General Secretary, has deferred a decision on the resignations to this later date,” a statement from the AFC noted.

The AFC Executive Members agreed to a process geared towards strengthening the AFC as it looks forward “Beyond March 2020”, and positioning the AFC as a viable and responsible entity.

“The NEC noted the need for introspection and strengthening the party so we can better serve Guyana at this critical time in its history as we find solutions to the complex problems that face us today as a country.”

The AFC says it remains committed to its founding principles; that each and every person is equal and to the construction and administering of a just society within the framework of participation by all persons, the enhancement of our diverse community and the preservation of the Guyanese identity.