ANUG won’t take money from Azruddin Mohamed

Last Updated on Friday, 27 June 2025, 2:08 by Writer

A New and United Guyana (ANUG) is hesitant about taking money from United States (U.S.)-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed’s political party if they opt to work together for the September 1 general and regional elections.

ANUG Leader Dr Mark France said the sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Mohammed, his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and now former Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas would be a barrier to taking funds. “We can collaborate and work together and not necessarily receive any financing from Team Mohameds,” he told Demerara Waves Online News.

Mr France emphasised that his party had taken a position that it would not receive any funding that could jeopardise its members, supporters, financiers and sponsors.

He said ANUG and Mr Mohamed’s We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party might collaborate in areas of policy and working for the betterment of Guyanese. Dr France said the OFAC sanctions for allegedly evading more than US$50 million in taxes payable to the Guyana Revenue Authority on the export of more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold had nothing to do with Mr Azruddin’s political ambitions but more about their ability to do business in Guyana. “There is nothing as of now that is preventing the Mohameds from legally taking part in an election. There is nothing before the courts that is stopping Team Mohameds, as they currently are, or whatever name they will go by from taking part and such, we must respect that,” he said.

The ANUG Leader said his party was not ruled out collaborating with any political party other than the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) and the Alliance For Change (AFC). “We have not closed off any option other than the three major groupings…We are still open to talks, still open to collaboration with any groupings once our policies align, once our vision for Guyana aligns and once we are working for the betterment and people of Guyana,” he said. He confirmed that ANUG’s executive discussed working along with all small parties including Team Mohameds.

Dr France said ANUG was pushing for a minority government aimed at forcing the PPPC and PNCR to work together and address the myriad issues that are currently facing Guyanese.

While the PPPC continues to downplay the turnout to Mr Mohamed’s visits and public meetings, the embattled billionaire businessman has been forging ahead with his campaign especially in Indigenous Amerindian communities. Though social media savvy, Mr Mohamed has not livestreamed any of his meetings but, instead, continues to broadcast snippets.