Dear Editor
EVENTS over the last week have opened my eyes to many things and what I have observed is quite saddening. It is quite saddening because as a country, our independence leaders fought for our self- directed control because they recognized that as a proud people we should be able determine our own future. This we achieved on 26th May 1966. And we went further to republican status on 23rd February, 1970. Numerically, this year we have been 50 years a republic.

I can go back centuries and remind Afro-Guyanese of the struggle of their ancestors to have us a free people. This freedom should not be underestimated. While our independence was mostly political, our ancestors fought for both physical and mental freedom, without which we were considered sub-humans. The pressing question I need to ask today is if we as a nation are really free, I would argue that we are physically free but not mentally free. I put forward this postulation not based on a solitary observation albeit, I will highlight it based on one observation.

Jason Carter is presently the head of the Carter Center, which was formed by his grandfather, President Jimmy Carter. Jason Carter is a 44-year-old American who is a one-term Senator of the state of Georgia and a failed gubernatorial (governor) nominee, also for the state of Georgia. Therefore, by no stretch of the imagination can Jason Carter be considered a political heavyweight. In my opinion, he is both a political novice and lightweight. I am absolutely certain that the vast majority of Americans would hold this position. Frankly speaking, I am certain that the vast majority would not recognise him in the streets or on television. Jason Carter was invited as an observer to Guyana’s elections. This observership status is a privilege and not a right. I rather not insult your intelligence by informing you what is the meaning of the word observe. Suffice to say that observation is basically visually with little auditory. Observation is never oral. An election observer is akin to an examination invigilator. They look at what the candidates do but never instruct them what to do. An election observer is expected to do the same and at the end of the process, use established channels to communicate their observations and recommendations.

During this election process I have witnessed events that saddened me deeply. We should be a proud people. Hold our heads up high. We should be a confident people like our Jamaican brothers and sisters. Sadly, we are still in mental chains. I saw Bharrat Jagdeo going to Jason Carter, who is 11 years his junior, to complain on a variety of issues. This did not occur on a single occasion, but on multiple occasions. Each time, Jason Carter, who has never been the President of his country, a one-term senator and a failed candidate for governor, would instruct Bharrat Jagdeo, a two-term President then send him along is way like a toddler who is dependent on his parents. And it was not only Bharrat Jagdeo: many in the PPP’s higher echelon were seeking advice from the failed American gubernatorial (governor) candidate. Where is the pride for those in the PPP? I am not saying to be haughty, but you should not bow to anyone. And the madness continued. The media were rushing to Jason Carter to get his opinion on our electoral system. He would arrogantly say, let’s wait a few minutes so that others can come hence avoiding me repeating myself. We have elevated him to presidential status. Then he would pronounce on our elections as if he has a deep understanding of our politics. He took on the role of political scientist. He said a truckload of nonsense but I was irritated by this statement. “The declaration of Region Four is illegal.” First, it is not his place to make that pronouncement since he is not au fait with Guyana’s electoral laws. If our esteemed judge of over 30 years, Justice Singh does think it is legal, so then what qualifies him to make that pronouncement? In my opinion, that is a decision for our esteemed and well qualified judges to make. Secondly, he is invited as an election observer to use his eyes and ears and not his mouth. Finally, there are established channels for him to communicate his concerns, the media is not one of them. Finally, he is a guest and should know his role as a guest. Trump kicked out a British ambassador for less than that.

I read a letter a few months back authored by Mr Hamilton Green. He was reluctant to have electoral observers; I now understand why. Let us solve our problems as a CARICOM bloc, the descendants of slaves and indentured labourers. We may fight amongst ourselves but let us sit down like brothers and sisters and solve our problems. Don’t request western societies’ assistance. They have their own problems. Let them solve those.

Regards
Dr Mark Devonish