The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has voiced concern over public statements by APNU+AFC administration representatives which they say deny the express ruling of acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire to uphold the no-confidence motion passed against government on December 21st last year.
In a press statement yesterday, the PSC took aim at government and its representatives for claiming that “until the matter is concluded at the highest court of appeal the status quo remains and the business of government continues as usual.”
It argued that the statement clearly, and apparently with deliberate intent, flies in the face of the decision of the judge not to grant Attorney General Basil Williams a Conservatory Order preserving the “status quo ante.”
“Clearly, therefore, in the view of the Commission, her ruling remains in place unless successfully appealed in a superior court,” the PSC said, before adding that it expects the President and his government to respect and honour this decision and proceed to have elections held no later than March 21st as required by Article 106 of the Constitution.
In her ruling last Thursday, the acting Chief Justice upheld the validity of the vote on the motion and said that this should have triggered the immediate resignation of the Cabinet, including the President, paving the way for new elections within three months unless an extension is agreed.
“The Commission wishes to remind that the Chief Justice in her decision upheld Articles 106(6) and 106(7) of the Constitution that the government, while remaining in office with the President in place, does so without a functioning Cabinet which the Chief Justice deemed to have resigned since 21st December, 2018,” the PSC further added.
The PSC said that it believes it speaks for the majority of the nation when it expresses its concern over public statements contrary to the judge’s decision and warns that such statements could lead Guyana into a situation of grave instability and an illegal government resulting.
In making its call yesterday, the PSC, which said it speaks “for the business community with hundreds of billions invested in the development of our economy and the employment of some 60% of our workforce,” joined the United Nations and the European Union, each of which have called on government to respect the Constitution.
On Friday, United Nations Resident Representative Mikiko Tanaka called on government to “demonstrate its integrity and respect of Guyana’s Constitution and the Judiciary that constitutes the foundations of the rule of law and good governance” while the Delegation of the European Union in Guyana yesterday implored “all concerned parties and stakeholders to uphold the Constitution.” The Delegation further stated that it “looks forward to free and fair elections being held as appropriate and in line with all Constitutional provisions.”
