Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter at a politically sensitive time. That is, when the two major blocks in the APNU+AFC coalition are preparing for negotiations to renew the Cummingsburg Accord prior to the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
Bearing in mind the delicate nature of these negotiations, as well as its importance to the country’s future; and also, taking into consideration our political culture, (which unfortunately has little or no room for activists/leaders expressing their views in public, on the political situation as independent actors and not “speaking for their party”; I wish to inform readers that the views I express here are my personal thoughts. These are in no way those of the WPA’s Executive.
As the WPA’s representative for the greater part of the previous APNU+AFC Cummingsburg Accord negotiations, I was privileged to participate and witness the process that resulted in the final Agreement.
My first observation is that, unlike the previous occasion when both sides were coming to the table from a position of little or no previous intimate working together, the situation at this time is very different; especially, after the Coalition has held the government for more than four years. While suspicions and partisan interest in negotiations are inevitable, the realities of present day political relations make it more likely, than not, these would have a negative impact on the outcome of the expected talks.
My second observation is that, if the AFC resorts to its previous tactics of having its Jamaican Consultant as its lead-negotiator in the talks, that approach could very well end up as counter-productive; particularly, given his manner and style. I recall that at a crucial point in the negotiations I had cause to point out that the premise on which the AFC was basing their demand for 40% of the seats was flawed, since there could be no guarantee that it would deliver the 10 to 12% of the votes, it claimed to have – given the racial/political culture in the country. Their lead-negotiator responded arrogantly, saying that may be so, but that it was our position, and you have no choice. His logic was you pay our price or no deal! This time around the shoe is on the opposite side with the AFC having been deprived of that “trump card”, so to speak. And the APNU is now in a position to say “take it or leave it”. What was considered then an act of “political brilliance” could now come back to haunt the AFC leadership in the upcoming negotiations. My principal reason for raising this matter is to caution our side not to behave as the AFC has done; or, indeed, be tempted by the “do-fuh-do political reflexive”.
My third observation is that the AFC ‘s leadership has to be politically realistic and come to accept that its poor showings at post 2015 elections and the fact that one of its MPs was responsible for bringing down the Government, place the party in less than a favourable position than it held in 2015. And most likely the AFC will have to pay a political price for this. It is not prudent for me to try to predict what that price will be at this juncture.
In concluding, while I expect the negotiations will be spirited and at times intense, I also expect realism and reason to prevail and the interest of the country be foremost in the minds of both leaderships.
Yours faithfully,
Tacuma Ogunseye
