The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming flag-raising ceremony commemorating the 56th anniversary of republican status in Guyana. Instead, the party will join the masses on Mash Day to celebrate alongside the people.
In a statement, the APNU/PNCR congratulated the Guyanese populace on reaching this significant milestone, recalling the pivotal role played by PNCR Founder Leader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham in guiding the nation to republican status in 1970. According to the party, this occurred during a challenging period for former colonies, where leaders had to expertly navigate the complexities of global superpower dynamics.
Historically, the flag-raising event was a major national celebration, with thousands of Guyanese participating annually and fostering unity, pride, and a deep sense of national identity. The statement emphasized the past investments made by successive PNC governments in promoting Mashramani and its cultural expressions, including the National Calypso Competition, which produced iconic figures like Mighty Rebel, Mighty Smoker, and Lord Canary.
However, the APNU expressed concern over the systematic decline of the significance of republican status since the PPP/C assumed office. The flag-raising ceremony, they claimed, has transformed from a mass national activity into a more exclusive gathering for “friends, family, and favorites.”
Furthermore, the party criticized the diminished state of the calypso competition and the lack of investment in Mashramani Day celebrations, suggesting that such events no longer receive the national emphasis they once had. They also highlighted the recently passed 2026 Budget, which allocates billions to large-scale infrastructure projects despite the country’s limited capacity to effectively absorb these investments, arguing that this approach invites opportunities for corruption while neglecting the welfare of ordinary citizens.
The APNU stated that its members have received invitations to the flag-raising ceremony but have decided to decline, expressing their refusal to partake in an event that they perceive as a celebration of a political culture that marginalizes ordinary Guyanese.
Instead, they reaffirmed their commitment to engaging in the vibrant and inclusive Mashramani celebrations alongside the people of Guyana. “We are for the people—not the friends, family, and favorites,” the statement concluded.
