ABC countries commit to working with new Govt

The United States of America has renewed commitment to strengthening its relationship with Guyana, following the swearing-in of a legitimate Government and new President, Dr Irfaan Ali.

Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada, François-Philippe Champagne

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was declared the winner on Sunday by the Guyana Elections Commission, which paved the way for the appointment hours later. This declaration came after a five-month delay and four coalition-sponsored court cases in a bid to stay in power.
As such, Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, James Risch took a chance to congratulate the newly-minted Head of State on Monday, while recommitting their support in developing Guyana.
“Congratulations to Mohamed Irfaan Ali on being sworn in as President of Guyana yesterday. I look forward to working with President Ali as the Guyana people seek to build a more prosperous and democratic future,” Risch wrote on Twitter.
Less than one week ago, the US Government had announced another set of visa restrictions for senior Guyanese officials who were undermining democracy.
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Western Affairs of the US State Department, Michael Kozak made the revelation, adding that the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo was clear when he said that the Granger Administration and its allies continued to defy the will of the Guyanese people by refusing to accept the vote count.
“The count has been certified as valid by international observers OAS and Caricom, Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s highest courts. The United States joins the rest of the region refusing to go along with this farce. We will continue to act until the Granger Administration accepts the will of Guyanese voters,” Kozak noted.
This was one facet in which Guyana’s relationship with the US was affected by the delayed elections resolution, and there were even hints of serious consequences in the form of sanctions.
Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch had also asserted that the events that unfolded in Guyana since polling day – March 2, 2020 – were “highly disappointing”, and she continued to stress for the will of the Guyanese people to be respected. With Guyana and the US partnering in the areas of security, governance and prosperity, the diplomat had stressed that if the country continued to subvert democracy and the rule of law, then it would pose implicit dangers to the hemisphere.
Now with a new Government in place, the two countries can finally continue to join forces without any implications that could gravely affect the Guyanese people.

Canada welcomes
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada, François-Philippe Champagne also welcomed the declaration and the appointment of Guyana’s ninth President. He noted that despite the mounting challenges, the issues were finally put to an end.
Canada welcomes the declaration of the Guyana Elections Commission and congratulates Irfaan Ali on his election as the ninth Executive President of Guyana. We look forward to working with President Ali and his Government to advance our shared priorities. Despite challenges in recent weeks, through these election results, the will of the people of Guyana has been reflected and the democratic process has been upheld,” Global Affairs Canada noted.
Champagne said Canada was pleased to support Guyana’s elections with technical assistance, and assist The Carter Center’s election observation mission and Caricom’s high-level team, which observed the recounting of ballots.

UK
Positive remarks also came from the United Kingdom’s Minister for Overseas Territories and Sustainable Development, Baroness Elizabeth Sugg, as she positioned on her social media handle, “Really pleased to see Guyana upholding its fundamental values of democracy, good governance and the rule of law and declaring a legitimate election result.”
These countries had been on the forefront since the March 2 polls, advocating for democracy to prevail in Guyana.