AFC preparing itself for “next phase” of political journey

– as party rings in 17-year anniversary

The Alliance For Change (AFC), which is expected to become independent when the Cummingsburg Accord ends this year-end, on Saturday hinted at the next phase of its political journey in its 17 year anniversary statement.
In its statement, it spoke about its five years in office, while in a coalition with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). Far from regrets, AFC expressed pride for its time in office and spoke about how it is preparing itself for the next phase of its political journey.

“The AFC will continue to build on our internal political structures and prepare ourselves for the next phase of our political journey. We are pleased with the outcome of our recently concluded national conference and the election of the new leadership. Today, we can declare with confidence that we are here to stay. So, join us on this journey,” AFC said.
Back in June at its last national conference, the party had re-elected Khemraj Ramjattan as its leader and voted executive member Cathy Hughes in as Chairperson, while also taking a vote on its future in the coalition.
Whether the AFC should stay in its marriage with APNU or go and its ‘Way Forward’ document, was put to the vote, with the AFC voting overwhelmingly to stay in a revised coalition or parliamentary cooperation, which was option C in the document.
The third option states that the AFC can “stay in a revised political alliance with APNU, whether coalition or a parliamentary cooperation agreement but the AFC must demand and secure a firm agreement and structure for it to have a greater influence on policy positions and political action within the alliance while maintaining its independence and rebranding and regaining its identity. This option will require political maturity and pragmatism on the part of APNU, which may not be forthcoming”.
In keeping with the vote, AFC will remain in an alliance with APNU until the expiration of the Cummingsburg Accord in December 2022, when it will be reviewed. In the case of Ramjattan, he had been challenged by former AFC General Secretary David Patterson for leadership.
Meanwhile, with Local Government Elections (LGE) set to be held on March 13, 2023, there is still no confirmation on whether AFC will contest the LGE alone or in the coalition. AFC was famously forced to contest the 2018 LGE alone without its coalition partner and ended up securing just 4 per cent of the total votes cast.
At a press conference over a week ago, Ramjattan had told the media that its National Executive Committee would reveal position the party’s position on LGE after consultations, slated before 2023.
LGE, which are usually due every two years, was last held in 2018. At the last LGE in November 2018, the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). This followed the holding of the LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs.