Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd hit the nail on the head when he said, during the 2020 Budget debates at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, that the Peoples Progressive Party Civic Government now has to rebuild Guyana’s international image.
The five months post-March 2 General and Regional Elections saw the greatest level of brazen assault on the diplomatic community, and leaders of countries who called out the APNU/AFC on their undemocratic actions. There is no doubt that Guyana’s international image was severely damaged after APNU/AFC robustly unleashed attacks on Heads of States, ambassadors, high commissioners and foreign governments who urged them to stop humiliating Guyanese and accept the elections’ results that were generated from the National Recount. It was a situation created wholly by leadership of the APNU/AFC, who were in self-denial over the elections loss they suffered at the March 2, 2020 polls. So, it came as no surprise when Todd told the National Assembly that because international partners knew that the APNU/AFC was illegitimate, most of the diplomatic engagements and international cooperation was put on hold. Not surprisingly, the Foreign Affairs Minister also informed the National Assembly that even prior to 2019, when the former APNU/AFC Government was not yet deemed illegitimate, but in caretaker status, its government was weak and ineffective on foreign policy issues. What APNU/AFC failed miserably at, following the departure of Carl Greenidge as Foreign Affairs Minister, is to underscore, foster, and admit the importance of state-to-state relations, which offer an essential framework for the conduct of foreign relations. Rather, it took Guyana’s diplomatic relations towards a downward trajectory by devaluing these relationships.
Another testament to the depths to which Guyana had sunk on the international stage is the fact that, in July, Guyana was taken before the Organisation of American States (OAS) Permanent Council. This was a first for Guyana, since the Council is one which usually hears punitive resolutions against rogue member states. Had APNU/AFC achieved its goal to undemocratically grab hold of the reins of Government, then Guyana would have been left isolated, with little major foreign policy and diplomatic relations; losing respect in world affairs. It was former Foreign Affairs Minister Greenidge, a person with decades of experience in international relations, who bluntly warned the very administration he served that those using Guyana’s sovereignty for political convenience must understand that the country needs the international community.
Solid diplomatic relationships for countries around the world play an immense role in the international affairs of the state. Luckily for Guyana, we were saved just in the nick of time, as re-establishing diplomatic relations is no simple matter.
There is no doubt that Guyana’s international relationships are being repaired by the new Government, and today’s visit by United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, one the highest-level officials from the world’s greatest superpower, is a firm example of good relations ahead. As this newspaper said on Thursday, Mr Pompeo’s visit to Guyana and other countries in the Region is an assertion and strengthening of democracy, and sends a clear message to everyone that the Western World, and the USA in particular, would not tolerate dictatorships. The modern world values democracy and the rule of law, and would support various endeavours in this regard.
Guyana’s relationship around the world is currently experiencing fundamental positive changes. Therefore, it was welcoming to hear Minister Todd’s announcement that among the priority areas for the PPP/C Government on the foreign affairs front is defending Guyana’s territorial sovereignty and integrity.
