A Special Committee dubbed the ‘Cummingsburg Accord Review Committee [CARC]’ has been appointed by the Alliance For Change [AFC], which coalesced with the A Partnership for National Unity [APNU] to form the Government.
The Committee is tasked with studying the Cummingsburg Accord and identifying areas which may require strengthening and updating along with discussion and negotiation with Coalition partner, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
The Cummingsburg Accord is a working document that defines the relationship between the AFC and APNU.
The move to appoint the Committee to review the document comes days before the second anniversary of the historic May 11, 2015 General and Regional Elections.
The Committee comprises: Dr. Vincent Adams, Dr. Rohan Somar, Marlon Williams, David Patterson, Joel Edmond, Sherod Duncan, Representative of Women For Change and Representative of Youth For Change.
The AFC, took the decision at its second National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for 2017, while simultaneously reaffirming that the Coalition Government remains strong and cohesive and that it remains committed to the Coalition’s ideals and principles and the Cummingsburg Accord itself.
However the party noted that the accord is a sunset agreement which requires early review with a view to the Local Government Elections of 2019 and General and Regional Elections in 2020.
“The Cummingsburg Accord is an historic agreement which was the platform for the APNU+AFC Coalition coming to government in 2015, it has served as a guide to the Coalition partners in government and there has been good faith and a strong sense of mutual respect on both sides,” noted party Leader Raphael Trotman.
“Given that we are approaching our second anniversary in government it presents an opportune time to engage in reflection and commence an early process of thorough, comprehensive and necessary review of the Cummingsburg Accord with a view to strengthening, updating and broadening the agreement as we look towards upcoming elections in two and three years’ time,” Trotman added.
“The CARC has been tasked with widely consulting with the party’s members and stakeholders to listen to their views and recommendations and examining the agreement itself and present to the party’s NEC, at its next meeting, a preliminary report on the areas, which in its view, requires further examination,” Trotman explained, while reiterating that the party is keen on ensuring that it prepares adequately and comprehensively for future elections.