First couple 'decide to end marriage'
Stabroek News
April 17, 2007
President Bharrat Jagdeo and First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo yesterday announced the end of their marriage.
The first couple said they have taken the decision to end the union after growing apart during their eight years together. "It is an amicable parting and we feel this is the best course for us as we both wish to find happiness and have families of our own in the future," they explained, in a joint statement released by the Office of the President last evening.
Bharrat Jagdeo, then Finance Minister, and Varshnie "Uma" Singh, wed on July 26, 1998, about a year before his accession to the presidency.
The success of the marriage has been long viewed with suspicion, owing in large part to the couple's rare appearances together. Yesterday's announcement came almost one week after President Jagdeo promised to clear the air on the state of their relationship, hinting at the major disclosure. At that time, his allusions accompanied speculation that the First Lady was at the centre of a dispute between the President and his protocol officer, which led to the latter's decision to walk out on assignment. The President has denied this claim.
"We hope that you can understand and respect our decision in what is essentially a private matter," the couple said in the joint statement.
In a separate release issued from her office, the First Lady emphasised that their "growing apart" was the only reason for their decision to end the marriage. She also reiterated their desire "to keep our personal life just that - personal."
Mrs Jagdeo said it has been an "honour and privilege" to serve in the capacity as First Lady, and she issued thanks to everyone, especially her family, for the kindness shown to her and the support of her work. She noted her intention to continue serving the country, in particular with the Kids First Fund and the Citizens Advice Bureau. She also stated her intention to build the first charitable children's hospital in the country with the Bassoo Foundation. She said that the President remains supportive of her work.
Although the President and the First Lady have indicated that their split is amicable, Guyana's laws only permit divorce under three grounds: adultery, cruelty or malicious desertion (with or without adultery) without cause for two years and upwards. Most of the divorce cases in Guyana are based on claims of constructive malicious desertion. The Matrimonial Causes Act Chapter 45:02 stipulates that the petition for separation also include an affidavit proving that there has been no collusion or connivance between the two parties contrary to the justice of the case.