Value our sovereignty 

―Foreign Affairs Min. apprises Toshaos on latest developments in border matter

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, October 10, 2019

“We have entered a new phase in pursuit of our national dream for the betterment of all Guyanese and so it is, therefore, important that all Guyanese have an understanding and be vigilant with respect to the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings.

This call was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings to the Indigenous leaders attending the 13th annual meeting of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

Minister Cummings was among several government ministers engaging the Toshaos on the fourth day of the council. She briefed the participants on the history of the border controversy before informing them on the most recent development which will see the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague, Netherlands, carrying out the oral hearings in the case concerning border issue from March 23 to 27, 2020.

Minister Cummings also expressed that the Government of Guyana remains optimistic as they anticipate the final ruling.

“This hearing will determine whether the court has jurisdiction over the case filed by Guyana on March 29, 2018, and from that case, Guyana seeks to obtain from the court a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela remains valid and binding.”

Also accompanying the Foreign Affairs Minister was Deputy Chief of Protocol, Marian Herbert who provided clarity on the birth registration process. Toshaos mostly from border communities in the Rupununi, highlighted the difficulty residents face in registering their children.

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