The Alliance For Change (AFC) on Friday signaled its intention to reopen negotiations with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led coalition, to potentially contest Guyana’s upcoming general and regional elections as a united front.
“Even now, our door remains open, ready to listen, ready to engage but we will not return to a coalition model where imbalance is the norm and accountability is optional,” AFC leader Nigel Hughes told reporters at a news conference.
In April, the AFC had announced plans to contest the September 1 polls independently, while leaving the door open for possible cooperation ahead of the July 14 Nominations Day set by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
The AFC and APNU first joined forces in 2015 under the Cummingsburg Accord. The coalition won the 2015 elections but lost power following a no-confidence motion in 2018. The revised 2019 agreement, which gave fewer concessions to the AFC, expired in December 2022, formally ending the APNU+AFC alliance.
Hughes emphasized that the AFC’s latest proposals to APNU were grounded in fairness and accountability—not personalities. He revealed that the AFC had accepted APNU’s nominee for presidential candidate, a significant compromise, and suggested that the leader of the list be a mutually agreed-upon figure. However, he said the AFC never received a counter-proposal or any meaningful engagement from APNU.
“To date, no counter proposal was made and there was no engagement on the content that we submitted, no real discussion on ideas, that is the simple truth. Let me be clear, this is not about one individual, it is about creating a better kind of politics,” he said.
He added that the AFC is focused on fostering unity, both within the party and any potential coalition. “The AFC believes that coalition politics can work but only when it is built on trust and balance, not dominance or silence,” Hughes noted.
Meanwhile, APNU negotiating team member and PNCR executive Ganesh Mahipaul said his party remains open to coalition talks. “My party, the People’s National Congress Reform… has not shut the doors on negotiations,” Mahipaul stated during a separate press conference.
He reaffirmed PNCR’s commitment to having Aubrey Compton Norton as the coalition’s presidential candidate. “I firmly believe that he will be the next President of Guyana,” Mahipaul said, while acknowledging that “anything is possible” ahead of GECOM’s deadlines.
Mahipaul said APNU is also engaged in discussions with other opposition parties and individuals and hinted at “important announcements soon.”
