HGP Nightly News – Guyana’s two largest opposition parties are preparing for face-to-face talks on Monday as WIN and APNU seek common ground on the Local Government Commission and wider concerns affecting the country’s democratic institutions.
The meeting is scheduled for August 24 at 11 a.m., although the parties were still finalising the venue over the weekend.
In an August 22 letter to APNU General Secretary Sherwin Benjamin, the Office of the Leader of the Opposition confirmed receipt of the party’s proposals for a mutually acceptable location.
Two options are being explored: a meeting room within Parliament Buildings or a private business establishment agreed upon by both parties.
The arrangements followed discussions involving WIN parliamentarians Odessa Primus and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and APNU’s Benjamin.
The Opposition Leader’s office said it would make inquiries about the availability of a suitable room at Parliament, while APNU would contact the management of a private venue as a backup.
With only the weekend available to settle the logistics, WIN said pursuing both options would provide enough flexibility to keep the meeting on schedule.
“We believe this approach will allow sufficient flexibility to ensure that the engagement proceeds as planned,” the party stated.
Monday’s talks follow an August 21 letter in which Benjamin, writing on behalf of APNU Chairman Aubrey Norton, accepted an invitation to discuss the Local Government Commission and other matters affecting democratic institutions.
“The APNU is prepared to engage in dialogue based on good faith and mutual respect, with the aim of advancing the interests and development of the Guyanese people,” Benjamin wrote.
APNU requested that the engagement take place at a venue acceptable to both sides.
The meeting comes as President Irfaan Ali begins consultations with Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed over appointments to several constitutional and statutory commissions.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall recently disclosed that three names were submitted by the Opposition Leader’s office concerning appointments to the Local Government Commission.
The planned APNU-WIN engagement could provide an opportunity for the parties to discuss those appointments and determine whether a broader opposition position can be reached.
Neither party has published a detailed agenda, and it remains unclear which additional democratic or governance issues will be placed on the table.
WIN emerged from the 2025 elections as Guyana’s main parliamentary opposition, displacing APNU, which had previously held that position.
The change reshaped opposition politics and created questions about whether the two parties would compete exclusively or cooperate on matters requiring a united parliamentary or national response.
Despite those political differences, WIN said it remained committed to constructive engagement with all opposition parties.
It added that it looked forward to a productive meeting focused on Guyana’s democratic institutions and citizens’ interests.
APNU similarly said the discussions should be guided by good faith, mutual respect and a shared objective of creating a country where citizens can live productive and secure lives free from poverty.
The parties have agreed on the time and broad purpose of the talks. Their first test of cooperation is now settling where they will sit down.
