Dear Editor,
I speak for most Guyanese when I appeal for unity in our beloved country. But if most of us want unity, why is the line on unity not yet mended?
At least we need a starting point and I would like to suggest we start from the promises made by the APNU+AFC and PPP/C during the last elections. On the campaign trail the current government promised a new start, to turn a new page and move forward.
A very progressive and promising message that implied one important and game-changing act, and that is for this government to leave the past behind and bury the hatchet. Not in words but in action, and as the captain of the ship, they are also responsible for making the first move towards unity.
The PPP/C campaigned on the successes and accomplishments that came to Guyana under their rule and felt that they were the best choice to take Guyana forward.
However, they failed to see and acknowledge the resentment being built up against the party because of the behaviour of a few over the many.
Now the PPP/C is the opposition and they too have to find a way to mend that line for unity.
The government is faced with the challenge to prove their leadership prowess, ability to balance the past with the future and make the right decisions for us. If PM Nagamootoo is representing the government on unity talks, he must understand that unity very rarely comes through just talks; it requires a genuine and persuasive approach that ironically, has very little to do with politics.
As an example, I am constantly attacked for being an activist in politics; however, I do get mostly positive support for my views and fresh perspectives. But to those who sling their abuse at me, I am not angry or feeling animosity towards them for it, because they are my brothers and sisters too, and it is important for me to embrace the animosity as much as I embrace the love.
This is the role of leaders; our job is to find balance and achieve successes from conflict or peace.
My suggestion to both leaders of government and opposition is that they first work on reducing the level of hostility and contempt in their own camps first. You cannot get unity if you are feeding off the antipathy of your followers.
Secondly the PM has to ensure his government no longer justifies its bad decisions and practices by claiming the PPP/C “was worse”. This is the opposite of unity and it is a non-starter.
I would be the first willing to support any genuine initiative that is truly aimed towards unity and progress for Guyana, such as local government elections.
Yours faithfully,
Malcolm Watkins
