UK Govt “discussing” sanctions for APNU/AFC, elections officials over electoral fraud – source
As pressure continues to mount on the David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition to concede defeat and allow the duly-elected Government to take over the reins of power, the United Kingdom authorities have also begun discussions on imposing sanctions on government and elections officials who are undermining Guyana’s democracy.
File photo: President David Granger speaking with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London. At the time this photo was taken, Johnson was the British Foreign Secretary
A reliable source close to the British Government has confirmed that “discussions” have commenced although no definitive decision has been made as yet.
The UK Government has been among the international community unified in a call for the APNU/AFC to concede to its defeat at the March 2, 2020 polls. In a recent joint statement with US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee, and European Union (EU) Ambassador Fernando Ponz-Canto, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn said that it was critical for the will of the Guyanese people to be respected.
The UK is a major developmental partner of Guyana and has been actively involved in funding several projects over the past years.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo announced that visa sanctions have been imposed on Government and elections officials and all others who are involved in undermining Guyana’s democracy.
Canada, also on Wednesday, issued a statement calling for a “swift and transparent” conclusion to the electoral process and pledged to hold accountable all those persons who prevent such.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has won the elections with 233,336 votes; however, the Granger-led APNU/AFC coalition is refusing to concede defeat despite mounting international pressure.
In fact, the coalition Administration has been given multiple warnings that its failure to respect the will of the people will be met with consequences.
