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“But she lacks substance…often referring to party members as mandingo black”-Source
Usually reliable sources within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) are refuting claims made by Amanza Walton-Desir to the effect that the party was unwilling to utilize her services. This publication understands that the friction between the two has more to do with Walton-Desir’s ambition than anything else.
A usually reliable source told Guyana Standard that while she made no specific demands during her meeting with the party’s leader, Aubrey Norton, “it was commonly understood” that her ambition was to either become presidential or prime ministerial candidate.
Apparently, after it was made clear to Walton-Desir that she would not be elevated to that level, she decided to leave the party.
“The leader did not sideline her during the meeting. She asked comrade leader what will be her role. She was guaranteed extraction from the list, to be in Parliament, and to have a role in government, everything that was said in that press release is true.
“It was also speaking the truth when she said this morning that she did not ask for a position. She did not ask for a position in that meeting but her ambition was known,” the source said.
Norton reportedly invited Walton-Desir to form part of his campaign committee. She was also invited to the most recent meeting with the diplomats, but indicated that she was going to be out of the country.
This publication understands that all shadow ministers were directed to produce a policy direction paper. Being that she was the shadow for Foreign Affairs, Walton-Desir was asked to produce a draft foreign policy. But she never did. She also reportedly failed on several occasions to submit reports on her engagements with the diplomatic community.
One party stalwart believes, “Her departure will not hurt the party. She was figured out early on as lacking substance. She cared more of her image than anything else.”
Registering her discontent at different times, Walton-Desir reportedly referred to party members as “mandingo black men.” Joseph Harmon, Roysdale Forde and Aubrey Norton have all been labelled “mandingo black men.”
Asked what she meant by “mandingo black men,” the source responded, “I don’t know exactly what she means but she has always used the term when speaking about their likeability as political candidates. With Harmon and Forde, it was during congress, Norton’s turn came quite recently.”
Another source within the party explained that she used the term to mean “ugly and scrawly looking, adding that the public will soon see her for what she is. With her performance today, she deserves an Oscar.”
