APNU+AFC formally re-engage for 2025 elections two years after breakup

Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 19:21 by Writer

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formally re-engage to lay the groundwork to contest the 2025 general and regional elections, two years after the coalition broke up.

“In sum total, it is the likelihood that the parties will coalesce to contest the 2025 elections,” a senior opposition source told Demerara Waves Online News.

The MOU was signed three years after the February 14, 2015 agreement, styled the Cummingsburg Accord, expired. The AFC had bitterly experienced broken promises over the vice chairmanship of Region 4 and the chairmanship of Region 10.

The MOU was inked two days after the AFC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on Saturday, January 18 by designated party leader and presidential candidate, Nigel Hughes, subject to ratification by a party conference to be held closer to the polls likely in October or November.

Of importance, according to a senior PNCR official, is that party leader Aubrey Norton would be the APNU+AFC presidential candidate.

According to the MOU that was signed by Mr Norton, in his capacity as APNU Chairman, and the AFC Leader, the political organisations are expected to do “joint political work” while retaining their independence and individual grassroots party mobilisation.

The agreement binds the APNU and AFC to develop a comprehensive political framework for parties to ensure that all demographics are targeted and serviced adequately, develop a mechanism for coordinated public relations communications for integrated messaging and narrative, develop a high-level national campaign management team to be guided by a political work programme, and a joint coordinated approach to Guyana Elections Commission matters.

APNU+AFC also agreed that there would be pre-election and post-election agreements.

APNU comprises the PNCR, National Front Alliance and the Guyana Action Party. The party source said the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) was likely to rejoin APNU. The unknown Movement for Improvement and Kingdom Liberation Movement are expected, also, to join APNU.

The WPA, which was badly treated by APNU, is wary of rejoining that umbrella grouping.