–accuses some groups of being more ‘conspiratorial’ than mainstream Opposition

ACKNOWLEDGING that the government is working within the confines of a democratically elected administration, political analyst, Freddie Kissoon, has said that based on his analysis, it is not the public policies and initiatives that are causing instability in Guyana’s society, but rather there are anti-government “forces” in civil society who are looking to derail progress.

“The people who stayed silent on the no-confidence [motion- 2018] and attempted rigging of elections [2020] have been harassing an elected government,” Kissoon said on Monday evening, during the Gildarie-Kissoon programme streamed on the Guyanese Critic’s Facebook page.

The events he referred to were the passage of a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, which toppled the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, and the subsequent general and regional elections which ran for five months after polling day on March 2, 2020, because of purported delay tactics by members of and persons allegedly associated with the then government.

The electorate, after casting their votes, had to endure an unimaginable wait for the results of the elections, as they witnessed alleged unlawful acts and a slew of legal challenges.

And although this was the case, Kissoon contended that traditionally vibrant groups within civil society have not yet held discussions on the matter nor have they written about it in the way they ought to.

In defending his point, he made reference to one newspaper which has interviewed or facilitated releases on various matters from around 10 civil groups.

“Those bodies have not even alluded to the no-confidence vote… not one touched on the most disgraceful attempt to rig an election,” Kissoon lamented.

Despite the purported silence from those groups, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has spared no effort in fulfilling his commitment to investigate the 2020 elections.

The President recently announced that a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the elections will be chaired by retired Justice of Appeal Stanley John, and will include former Attorney-General, High Court judge and acting Justice of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean, Godfrey P. Smith, S.C.; Former Chair and Chief Elections Commissioner of India, Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, and, Former Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Carl Singh OR CCH.

The members of the CoI are expected to examine the post polling day period, when there were alleged attempts by the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) to rig the March 2, 2020 elections.

The inquiry is also anticipated to provide a foundation on which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) could fix the electoral system. Additionally, the findings will be used to hold persons accountable, especially if they are found to have been involved in illegal activities.

Given that such “pertinent” matters have not been discussed by sections of civil society, Kissoon has maintained the view that there exists some people who simply have an agenda against the government and want to create instability because they are anti-government.

“There are dark forces more conspiratorial than the mainstream Opposition,” the political analyst contended.

This is the case although President Ali has insisted on a governance modality that is driven by grassroots involvement.

He has repeatedly said that the approach of his administration to decision-making is one of stakeholder engagement, which could pave the way for the realisation of the One Guyana vision.

“Together, we are going to embark on the journey of prosperity with all of you; the achievement of peace and prosperity; this is a golden opportunity to attain that objective. We will succeed and make proud all those whose struggles were important in achieving our independence.

“The future belongs to us. The naysayers wish to break our stride, but the evidence is overwhelmingly clear that Guyana is surely… on a fast track to peace and prosperity. Let us keep it that way under the umbrella of One Guyana,” President Ali had said during his address to the nation on Independence Day.