Walton- Desir calls on Gov’t to ‘urgently’ fill vacant diplomatic posts

Opposition Parliamentarian, with shadow responsibility for foreign relations, Amanza Walton- Desir on Tuesday said vacant diplomatic posts at Guyana’s foreign missions should be urgently filled.

Walton- Desir spoke during the second day of the 2024 Budget Debates in the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

She acknowledged that Guyana’s foreign profile has grown significantly. Just this month, Guyana started its two-year term on the United Nations Security Council and its six-month chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

But the Parliamentarian noted that there are key diplomatic posts that must be filled to bolster Guyana’s international work.

“We urgently need to examine our representation in foreign capitals.

“It is inconceivable that four years into this new government, we are yet to appoint a new ambassador to Brazil. They are our strongest continental ally and a member of BRICS,” Walton- Desir said.

Further, Walton- Desir said Guyana needs diplomats in India, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Kuwait, Suriname, Russia and Switzerland.

Getting representatives in these countries, Walton- Desir said, is crucial especially now that Guyana needs all the support it can get in its border controversy case with Venezuela.

Days ago, longstanding politician and businessman Dr. Richard Van West Charles travelled to Caracas to take up his post as Guyana’s new Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Guyana was without an ambassador to Venezuela since 2019.

On Monday night, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd said 44 diplomatic accreditations were granted across the global environment. Last year, President Dr. Irfaan Ali assured Guyanese that filling various diplomatic posts around the world is a priority for the government.