In a troubling turn of events, Guyana’s opposition coalition APNU+AFC has resorted to a cynical and potentially explosive strategy of exploiting racial tensions for political gain. This editorial board condemns these tactics in the strongest possible terms, viewing them as a direct threat to the nation’s fragile social fabric and democratic progress.
As Guyana approaches the 2025 elections, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With oil wealth promising to transform the country’s economic landscape, political power has never been more coveted. Yet instead of presenting a vision for inclusive growth and national unity, APNU+AFC appears intent on deepening the very ethnic divides that have long plagued our nation.
Recent inflammatory rhetoric from coalition figures is not merely irresponsible; it’s dangerous. By stoking fears among Afro-Guyanese voters about alleged marginalization, APNU+AFC risks reigniting the inter-ethnic tensions that led to violence as recently as 2020. This is not opposition; it’s arson.
The coalition’s strategy reveals a bankruptcy of ideas and a willingness to sacrifice national cohesion for political expediency. It’s a stark reminder of why constitutional reform to move beyond our winner-take-all system is so desperately needed. Yet history shows us that parties in opposition champion such reforms, only to conveniently forget them once in power.
Guyana stands at a crossroads. The oil boom offers unprecedented opportunities for development, but only if we can overcome the ethnic polarization that has held us back for so long. APNU+AFC’s current path leads not to progress, but to a dangerous regression that threatens the very foundations of our multi-ethnic society.
We call on all political leaders to reject this divisive rhetoric unequivocally. The Guyanese people deserve better than cynical exploitation of their fears and insecurities. It’s time for a politics of unity, not division; of hope, not fear; of progress, not paralysis.
The eyes of the world are upon us. Let us show that Guyana can rise above its troubled past and embrace a future where every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, can share in the nation’s prosperity. Anything less is a betrayal of the promise of our independence and the sacrifices of generations past.
