GUYANA-Unofficial US fact-finding delegation to visit Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – A 13-member unofficial United States delegation consisting of elected officials, business owners, human rights activists, and educational leaders is to pay an official fact-finding mission to Guyana next week, former chair of the Georgia Black Caucus, Dee Dawkins-Haigler has announced.

“The purpose of this visit is to engage in constructive dialogue with various leaders, community groups, business owners, and Guyanese citizens,” said Dawkins-Haigler, heading the delegation.

She said the delegation, which arrives here on November 13 for a seven-day visit, intends to use the insights gained from those meetings to inform and guide discussions with relevant leaders in Congress and the White House upon their return to the United States.

She said the delegation also intends to advocate for positive change and promote inclusivity and equality at national and international levels.

Dawkins-Haigler said it is not a formal US government mission but an independent, unbiased fact-finding mission.

The delegation is expected here in response to concerns raised by legislators linked to the main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

His mission is “concerned about allegations of discrimination towards certain ethnic groups as well as Guyanese-American citizens currently residing in Guyana after reviewing the presentations.”

Dawkins-Haigler said that all the allegations have been vehemently denied by President Irfaan Ali and his ruling People’s Progressive Party-Civi (PPP/C) led government.

She said the the administration has provided numerous reports, documents, and articles to counter the claims.

“The President further purports that the allegations have no merit and are fueled with lies by disgruntled individuals trying to create chaos,” added Ms Dawkins-Haigler.

The opposition APNU and AFC have persistently accused the mainly Indo-Guyanese-backed PPP of discriminating against Afro-Guyanese in the award of contracts, land allocation, some jobs, and natural resource-related permits.