En 
Ar GUYANA | PNCR in Crisis: Senior Female Leaders Exit Amid Growing Internal Turmoil
Long-standing stalwart of the PNCR party, Amna Ally has announced her resignation
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, March 3, 2025 - Guyana's major opposition party, the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), suffered a crippling blow this week, with the resignation of two of its most prominent female stalwarts—Amna Ally and Vanessa Kissoon—leaving the historic, Aubrey Norton led party, reeling from what many observers describe as an unprecedented internal crisis.
The exodus of these influential women, both citing a toxic environment for female members, has cast a harsh spotlight on Aubrey Norton's leadership and threatens to severely undermine the party's cohesion at a critical juncture in Guyanese politics.
Vanessa Kissoon has resigned from the PNCR
Ally, whose decades-long career has been synonymous with PNCR's institutional memory, delivered a scathing indictment of the current leadership in her resignation letter to party leader Norton. She pointed to what she described as a "shameful" and "disgraceful" incident where prominent female members, including Kissoon, Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon, and veteran Cheryl Sampson, were publicly humiliated during an event at Congress Place organized by the National Congress of Women.
"It hurts, but I cannot continue to support such a party under the current leadership of Aubrey Compton Norton and his entire Executive," wrote Ally, pulling no punches in her assessment. "They should hang their heads in shame and resign."
Her departure represents more than just the loss of a loyal party member—it signals the crumbling of a foundational pillar within the PNCR. As a former Minister of Social Cohesion under President David Granger's administration and later General Secretary of the party, Ally brought gravitas and extensive experience to the opposition's ranks. Her track record includes championing women's rights, advocating for the elderly, and overseeing critical social programs, earning her the International Leadership Award in 2018 for her work in human rights and women's empowerment.
The resignation comes just days after Kissoon, a former Member of Parliament and respected advocate for Linden, also walked away from the party. Though citing personal reasons, Kissoon's decision followed a hostile reception at PNCR's Congress Place headquarters—her first return since leveling serious sexual harassment allegations against Norton in 2024, charges he has denied.
This one-two punch of high-profile departures has sent shockwaves through party ranks, with many PNCR members and supporters taking to social media to question Norton's leadership style since he took control in December 2021. Despite securing overwhelming support during the 2024 nominations for party leader, Norton now faces a crescendo of criticism about his approach, which many believe has alienated key members and fostered deepening divisions.
Embattled leader of the PNCR, AubreyNorton
Ally's unrestrained call for Norton and his entire executive team to resign has amplified existing voices of concern within the party that urgent changes are needed to prevent further fragmentation. Traditional PNCR supporters are now openly speculating that Norton's leadership is doing more harm than good, with calls for his resignation growing louder by the day. Some even go as far to mutter sotto voce that it seems as if Norton wants to be a "permanent Opposition Leader."
For a party that has long been a cornerstone of Guyanese politics, the PNCR now stands at a precarious crossroads. The back-to-back resignations of Ally and Kissoon have not only depleted the party's reservoir of experienced leadership but have also exposed deep-seated issues regarding its internal culture and respect for women within its ranks.
With general and regional elections looming later this year, serious questions are now being raised about Norton's viability as the party's leader heading into this crucial electoral contest.
Political analysts suggest that unless Norton and his executive can quickly address these pressing concerns, the PNCR risks further decline and potentially irreparable damage to its electoral prospects.
Several insiders have begun floating the idea that, for the sake of the party's future, Norton may need to hand over the reins to either Roysdale Forde or Amanza Walton-Desir—both seen as potentially unifying figures who could restore stability and confidence.
What began as individual resignations has rapidly evolved into a referendum on the party's future direction and values, leaving many to wonder whether the PNCR can weather this storm or if more departures are on the horizon.
As one party insider put it, speaking on condition of anonymity: "When you lose women of this caliber and experience, you're not just losing members—you're losing your soul and your future."
The following is Amna Ally's letter of resignation to Aubry Norton:
Mr. Aubrey C. Norton
Leader of the PNCR
2nd March, 2025
Subject: Resignation from the PNCR
Comrades,
With immediate effect it is with great regret that I have to tender my resignation from the PNCR of which my membership and association has been for over fifty-four years.
1. The continuous disregard for women who are the backbone of this great party has been overwhelming.
2. As I am reminded of the “curse out” and shameful act meted out to prominent woman of Linden, Miss Vanessa Kissoon a former Member of Parliament, the Mayor of Linden Mr. Sharma Solomon, and prominent elder of the PNC, Miss Cheryl Sampson in the presence of the Party General Secretary on the premises of Congress Place and amid an organized forum of the National Congress of Women (NCW).
3. This disgraceful conduct of women and men closely associated with Party Leader Aubrey Norton among whom was also a sitting member of Parliament brought shame and disgrace to the Party.
Notably all this lewd behavior was taking place without rebuke amidst an organized forum for the National Congress of Women intent on improving the quality-of-service women give to our Party. It is clear that the purpose of this thug like behavior was to disturb and break up the forum.
This intent was not missed by the many senior women functionaries who publicly and privately expressed disgust at the level to which our Party has sunk under the leadership of Aubrey Norton.
4. It hurts, but I cannot continue to support such a party under the current leadership Aubrey Compton Norton and his entire Executive. They should hang their heads in shame and resign.
Finally, I wish to reiterate I cannot support a party which disrespect the role played by women who have always been the backbone of the PNCR, and call upon Aubrey Norton and the clique that surround him in the central executive to resign and save the party.
However, since that group now operate as if they own the party founded and excellently led by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, I have no hesitation, among deep hurt and regret, to tender my resignation and to call on all right-thinking women in the Party to stand up to this new tyrant.
Leadership must be given by Leaders not rascals, bullies, embezzlers and indiscipline persons.
LET THE DRUMS ROLL.
Yours Respectfully,
Amna Ally
Former General Secretary PNCR
Former Minister of Government
-30-