标签： Guyana

Guyana’s political landscape is currently embroiled in a tense standoff over the substantive appointments of key judicial positions. President Irfaan Ali has proposed the appointments of Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire as Chancellor and Justice Navindra Singh as Chief Justice, a move that requires the concurrence of Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. However, sources indicate that Norton is unlikely to support the proposal, citing concerns over the circumstances surrounding the early retirement of Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, the former Chancellor. Norton had previously expressed support for the appointments of George-Wiltshire and Cummings-Edwards in their respective roles. President Ali announced on Friday that Cummings-Edwards would be proceeding on pre-retirement leave, with George-Wiltshire and Singh continuing in their acting capacities. Efforts to reach Norton for comment on Saturday were unsuccessful, and Attorney General Anil Nandlall also remained unreachable. A source within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) suggested that Norton might defer the decision to the incoming Opposition Leader, expected to be Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party. Under Guyana’s constitution, the Opposition Leader retains their position until the National Assembly’s opposition parliamentarians elect a new leader following general and regional elections.

In a significant development within Guyana’s judicial system, President Irfaan Ali announced on Friday, October 24, 2025, that Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, the Chancellor of the Judiciary, will proceed on pre-retirement leave starting October 27, followed by early retirement. This decision comes at her own request, which the President approved after careful consideration. Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire will continue to serve as Acting Chancellor, while Justice Navindra Singh will remain in his role as Acting Chief Justice. Justice Singh was also sworn in as a member of the Judicial Service Commission earlier that day. President Ali expressed his gratitude to Justice Cummings for her decades of dedicated service to the judiciary and the people of Guyana. This announcement follows recent controversies, including concerns raised by the People’s Progressive Party Civic-led administration about the Court of Appeal’s decisions in political cases, which were later overturned by the Caribbean Court of Justice. Additionally, the opposition APNU has questioned the political neutrality of Acting Chief Justice Singh. The transition marks a pivotal moment for Guyana’s legal framework, with implications for judicial independence and public trust.

Aubrey Norton, leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), has strongly criticized the United States military for conducting airstrikes on vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea. Norton, a former Foreign Service Officer and Political Scientist, expressed his disapproval during a press conference on Friday, October 24, 2025. He argued that the US has the capability to apprehend suspected traffickers and bring them to trial rather than resorting to lethal force. Norton emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law both domestically and internationally, stating that the PNCR opposes drug trafficking but insists on legal measures to combat it. His remarks followed a statement by 11 former Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, who suggested that the Ship-Rider Agreement with the US should be utilized to pursue drug traffickers through legal channels. The US has conducted 10 airstrikes so far, resulting in 43 fatalities, including two Trinidad and Tobago nationals. While the Trinidad and Tobago government has supported US actions, Guyana has advocated for the Caribbean to remain a zone of peace, endorsing efforts to combat narco-trafficking while preserving sovereignty. The deployment of the USS Gerald Ford and additional military assets to the region has raised concerns about potential US intentions to influence regime change in Venezuela.

Dr. Terrence Campbell, the leader of A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) 12 parliamentarians, has been confirmed as a member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). However, PNCR leader Aubrey Norton declined to specify when Dr. Campbell joined the party, stating that such details were irrelevant. Norton also dismissed claims that Dr. Campbell, a city businessman, was imposed on the party as a senior parliamentary figure despite being a newcomer compared to long-standing members. Norton emphasized that Dr. Campbell’s selection was based on his business acumen and commitment to the party’s cause, noting that he had been actively engaged with the PNCR for over two years. Norton further explained that the APNU parliamentary group comprises a balanced mix of six newcomers and six experienced individuals, a strategic decision aimed at fostering effective leadership. Dr. Campbell’s political journey includes his departure from A New and United Guyana (ANUG) and the civic group Reform, Inform, Sustain, Educate (RISE) in 2019, following calls to boycott his fast food business. He was also considered as a consensus presidential candidate by the Alliance For Change (AFC) and claimed to have been invited by Dr. Irfaan Ali to be his prime ministerial running mate in the 2020 elections, a claim Ali denied. Norton revealed that, except for Dr. David Hinds of the Working People’s Alliance, all other APNU parliamentarians are PNCR members. Reflecting on the recent general elections, Norton attributed APNU’s poor performance to alleged voter bribery by an unnamed political party. The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) secured 36 seats, while APNU won 12. Norton chose not to return to the National Assembly, opting instead to focus on his role as PNCR leader and prepare for the party’s upcoming internal elections.

In a recent press conference, Aubrey Norton, Chairman of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), emphasized the necessity of maintaining donor confidentiality in election campaign finance reporting. Despite the Representation of the People Act mandating political parties to submit post-election financial reports to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Norton argued that such disclosures could deter potential donors who fear government retribution. He highlighted the need for campaign financing reforms that ensure donor anonymity, stating, ‘Many contributors explicitly do not want their identities publicized due to societal fears of government.’ Norton also questioned the historical adherence to these reporting requirements, suggesting that new laws should be developed with stakeholder involvement to guarantee confidentiality. He further criticized Guyana’s state-dominated economy, noting that the government is the primary allocator of resources, with limited private sector activity. The United States-based Carter Center has urged all political parties to comply with the Representation of the People Act, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process. Other international observer missions have echoed these concerns, particularly regarding the misuse of state resources during election campaigns.

In a unified statement issued on Thursday, October 23, 2025, ten former leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), including former Guyana President Donald Ramotar, urged for a reduction in military activities in the Caribbean Sea. The leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining the region as a ‘zone of peace’ and called for the utilization of the U.S.-Caribbean Shiprider Agreement to combat drug trafficking, rather than resorting to military force. The statement, also endorsed by former Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Patterson, highlighted concerns over the potential for conflict and collateral damage arising from the current military buildup, which includes over 10,000 U.S. troops, numerous aircraft, and naval vessels deployed in the region. The former leaders stressed that Caribbean nations have historically avoided hosting military assets to prevent entanglement in external conflicts. They advocated for adherence to international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes, reaffirming their commitment to regional sovereignty and the rule of law. The statement comes amid ongoing tensions, including allegations that U.S. military actions in the Caribbean are aimed at regime change in Venezuela. The former CARICOM leaders reiterated their support for dialogue and negotiation as the means to resolve conflicts, in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

In a significant development within Guyana’s judiciary, Acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings has officially resumed her duties following a period of vacation leave. This move has facilitated the return of Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire to her role as Acting Chief Justice. During Chancellor Cummings’ absence, Justice George-Wiltshire had temporarily assumed the responsibilities of the Chancellor of the Judiciary, while Justice Navindra Singh was elevated to the position of Acting Chief Justice. However, as of Thursday, October 23, 2025, Chief Justice George-Wiltshire has not yet reoccupied the Chief Justice’s Chambers, located at the north-western end of the High Court complex. Sources indicate that she has chosen to utilize the High Court’s conference room on the south-eastern end instead. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear, and Attorney General Anil Nandlall has not responded to inquiries regarding the matter. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the judiciary’s leadership, raising questions about the operational dynamics within the High Court.