On 5 August Guyana’s new president, Irfaan Ali, swore-in 19 members of his cabinet.
Analysis:
Ali was himself sworn-in on 2 August, precisely five months after a bitterly contested general election, the result of which President David Granger and his A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance for Change (Apnu-AFC) government had refused to accept. Ali appointed a number of veterans of the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration led by Bharrat Jagdeo (1999-2011), the party leader and strongman who was confirmed as vice president, but he also sought to infuse the cabinet with a more youthful dynamic.
- The most eye-catching appointment was that of Vickram Bharrat, who picks up the natural resources portfolio. With Guyana having come into game-changing oil wealth, this position is far more important than ever before. A computer scientist and teacher, Bharrat is not steeped in experience in the sector, although he is not a political neophyte, having previously served as a PPP/C parliamentarian.
- Bharrat said his priority would be to establish a petroleum commission. He said a related bill would (not for the first time) be sent to the 65-seat national assembly, where the PPP/C won a narrow majority, forthwith. He argued that it was essential to ensure the sector is not subjected to undue political interference.
- Ali gave roles to some PPP/C stalwarts. Robeson Benn, a public works minister under Jagdeo, becomes public security minister, while Priya Manickchand and Pauline Sukhai, reprise the role of education minister and minister of Amerindian affairs respectively, that they held under Jagdeo.
- But, the youngest head of state in Guyana’s history at 40, Ali also placed an emphasis on youth. In addition to Bharrat, also 40, he named youthful appointees to head his own former ministry, housing and water (Colin Croal), as well as local government (Nigel Dharamlall), and culture, youth, and sport (Charles Ramson). Eight of the 19 ministers are female.
Looking Ahead: Ali called for efficiency and transparency from his cabinet ministers and, pointedly, spoke of the need for constitutional and electoral reform, potentially thorny issues with the now-opposition Apnu-AFC still adamant that it was denied victory by anomalies and irregularities.