THE opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), as part of its activism, has been raising among other issues, corruption, discrimination and lack of respect for the constitution under the APNU+AFC administration.
Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, is leading the case against the coalition, supported by some members of the private sector and other splinter political groups. It is generally accepted that a militant Opposition can contribute to good governance through its vigilance of Government’s management of the State, development and execution of policies and programmes. Where the Leader of the Opposition and his team do such it would be consistent with its expected role.
That being said, it should be said there is something unusual about Guyana’s politics and politicians. Those new to politics or now paying attention could be enamoured by the PPP/C’s militancy and, without having the benefit of history, may be quick to conclude that that party’s management of the State’s business was exemplary compared to now, which couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Under the watch of President Jagdeo (1999-2011), claims of discrimination were widespread and evident. In 2010, Jagdeo filed a private lawsuit, claiming libel and asking the court to award compensation of $10 million against Kaieteur News and columnist Freddie Kissoon for his article: “King Kong sent his goons to disrupt the conference.” The suit contended that the said article was “malicious, irresponsible and inflammatory, calculated and designed to excite racial hostilities amongst the people of Guyana with false and manufactured allegations.” Giving evidence on this matter, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, when questioned as to the absence of Africans as heads of foreign mission, replied that there existed no qualified person.
In 2003, Dr. Kean Gibson’s academic work ‘The Cycle of Racial Oppression in Guyana’ was brought before the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) by the PPP/C-aligned Indian Arrival Committee, and calls made for the book to be banned. Trade unionist Lincoln Lewis, who accused the Jagdeo government of being involved in economic genocide within the African community, in laying out the case of treatment of African workers, was taken before the ERC by Rashid Osman- now deceased, an act orchestrated by the Jagdeo government.
During the said period, in excess of 400 young men, primarily Africans, were executed by police and vigilante squads. Under the Coroner’s Act, anyone meeting death under unnatural circumstance(s), an inquest ought to be held to determine cause of death and who may be responsible. This law was never activated which, under the law, constitutes a denial of the right of those executed. Indians, who indicated support for a political party outside of the PPP/C, and any party it considers supportive of it, the machineries of the party and State were mercilessly used to go after them. This behaviour currently manifests itself as seen whenever Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo raises any issue, the party and Leader of the Opposition seek not to address the content of the PM’s statement but ruthlessly go after his person.
He who professes to be protector and defender of the laws, people and values needs to be careful of his conduct. And whereas Jagdeo and the PPP/C have a right to raise issues of the rule of law and corruption, they equally have corresponding responsibilities to also avoid the things they condemned. The laws are not only made for the APNU+AFC government, but also the PPP/C in Opposition and in the Executive. It was under the PPP/C’s management that Guyana had acquired the infamous status by Transparency International as the most corrupt English-speaking country in the Caribbean. Forensic audits of State agencies have revealed the level of mismanagement that had occurred during that period. There were heightened allegations—some not without justification—of racial tensions and conflicts, groups targeted for exclusion based on geography, political association, and identity. Imbalances in budgetary allocations and resources directed to, or taken away from, regions where the PPP did not control, were noted. The narco-economy was allowed to flourish, which Professor Clive Thomas noted, represented a significant percentage of the economy. The criminalised state was also coined, because in addition to the narco-economy, corruption was pervasive. Dissent and alternative views were not treated as a right or opportunity to engage or review. This was the record of the PPP in government.
