European Union External Action Service welcomed conclusion of five-month standoff in Guyana Elections.

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The EU Saturday welcomed the” peaceful and democratic conclusion” of the electoral process in Guyana and congratulated President Irfaan Ali on his swearing-in.  Five months after voters cast ballots to Guyana’s general elections, opposition candidate  Ali was sworn in last Sunday as the oil-rich South American country’s new President. The election results from the March 2 election had been held up amid a re-count and accusations of vote rigging and fraud. Preliminary recount data released in June showed Ali, a member of the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), had won the initial poll. 

“This is an important step towards the consolidation of democracy in the country. It is essential now that all parties and stakeholders work together diligently to overcome past differences and join efforts in uniting all Guyanese. The EU takes note of President Ali’s inauguration speech, where a commitment to constitutional and electoral reforms was made, and looks forward to its implementation. On the basis of the recommendations presented in the final report of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) the EU stands ready to support this reform process in cooperation with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and other electoral stakeholders.”

-EU Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano 

The spokesperson added that the EU has been a staunch supporter of democracy and rule of law throughout the entire process.  “We look forward to working together to further develop our strong partnership based on our human, cultural and historical links.”

New Guyana President Ali   Promises To Work to Unite The Country

Credit: Facebook.com / New Guyana president Irfaan Ail

 “I want to assure you that I would uphold that oath; that I would work every day, in the best interest of the people of Guyana. There is only one future, and that future requires a united Guyana. That future requires a strong Guyana that future requires every Guyanese to play a part in building our country and ensuring we leave a better Guyana for the next generation. We are in this together. We are not separated by class, ethnicity, religion or political persuasion. We are united in the true Guyanese spirit,”