Francis Says Mahmud’s Abrupt Resignation was a Poor Decision

Joseph Mahmud

The unceremonious stepping down of Joseph Mahmud on Monday as a duly elected area representative for Cayo North is raising serious concerns about the integrity and unity of the P.U.P.  He is the second elected representative to bow out of electoral politics; weeks ago Orange Walk East area representative Marco Tulio Mendez announced his withdrawal. But unlike Mahmud, he will serve the rest of his term.  Their successive departures have led to wild speculation that the P.U.P. is in chaos. This morning, Fonseca dispelled the notion that Mahmud’s resignation is a reflection of his ability to steer the party in the right direction.

Francis Fonseca, Party Leader, P.U.P.

Francis Fonseca

“Everything that happens in the People’s United Party reflects on the leader and reflects on the state of the party.  So, yes we would not have wanted Mr. Mahmud to resign.  I wanted him to serve out his term with integrity and dignity and working on behalf of the people of Cayo North as best as possible given the challenges but he made a decision.  I’ve already said that I feel that that decision he made reflects poorly on him and that’s where I think it stands.  It reflects poorly on him.  I don’t think it reflects poorly on us as a party.  I believe, as I said earlier, in response to Jules’ question that we did everything, we did everything possible to support Mr. Mahmud, to encourage him in the right direction, to provide guidance to him as a new, young representative but, you know, he made a different decision and that is life.  That is life and that is politics and in politics you have to roll with the punches and we gotta move on and that’s what we are doing, [what] we intend to do.  The people of Cayo North will then determine who will replace Mr. Mahmud.  So that’s really my position.”