–President Ali says, encourages army to carefully evaluate global challenges, social, economic issues

GUYANA’S military capacity will soon be enhanced, as efforts are underway to strengthen the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF’s) Air Corps and Coast Guard, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has said.

In his address to officers at GDF’s annual officers conference at Base Camp Ayanganna, Dr. Ali said, continuous investments are being made to safeguard Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), as it is responsible for generating significant revenues for the economic and social transformation of the country.

The Head of State also promised improved personal development and welfare benefits, including access to scholarships, housing, and health benefits for officers of the GDF.

Dr. Ali said the government has to evaluate how the military is represented in the various embassies and high commissions across the world.

The Head of State related that having interacted with some GDF officers, he believes that this is the right time to do retraining, retooling, and re-education, especially for those posted to the borders.

Dr. Ali said that out of the conference he wants to see a manual that would guide and be used to train every officer being posted to the border.

“I believe strongly that they should be very knowledgeable. Part of their mandate should be doing special lectures and classes in the schools within those districts… but if they are not aware themselves, then they are in no position to teach,” President Ali said.

He related that the GDF officers must understand what is taking place globally and regionally, as well as how it affects the country, their duties, and what they do.

“Peace and security are under threat in the world. Civil conflicts continue to afflict South Sudan and Yemen. These conflicts create debt, despair, despondency, and fuel migration.

“Recently, you would have seen a number of citizens from the African regions being trafficked through the entire region and that is a cause for international condemnation, concern and investigation. As our country continues to develop economically, socially and physically, we are going to be a prime destination, a target destination for this type of migratory effect of war,” Dr. Ali said.

The effects of the war in Ukraine are being felt around the world as it has triggered uncertainties in the supply of grains and led to an increase in energy, fertiliser, and food prices.

President Ali said that this is an important concern for national defence because the effect of the food crisis and energy crisis is being seen globally.

“It is important that as decision-makers and leaders in the GDF, you evaluate these challenges and threats and you evaluate them in the context of the environment in which we operate.

“It is not that we are not facing the consequence of this threat on our borders. We know what is taking place in terms of Venezuelan migrants coming in and primarily, it is a result of the food crisis and social challenges. So, we have to understand where these crises are heading and how it will affect our work and what we need to do in preparing ourselves for these challenges,” he related.

President Ali reiterated Guyana’s position concerning the conflicts and events ongoing in the world.

“Guyana rejects the use of threats or use of force in settling disputes between states. Guyana supports the peaceful resolution of conflicts… Guyana also subscribes to respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. Guyana advocates for Latin America and the Caribbean to be a zone of peace,” he related.

Additionally, Guyana is committed to the defence of people and the promotion of democratic norms and values, and supports efforts at regional collective security.

President Ali said that states are still confronted with non-traditional threats, such as transnational criminal networks that are responsible for drug trafficking, the smuggling of arms, contraband, and gang violence.

Environmental hazards also have the potential to undermine national security across borders, so combating these threats must involve regional and international coordination and cooperation.

Due to this, Guyana has taken the decision to join the Regional Security System (RSS) increases Guyana’s expenditure in security, but also improves the ability to cooperate, connect and have access to better resources.

President Ali said the GDF must be able to develop a strategy concerning the food, energy, and fuel crises, so that at any time Guyana is faced with it, the country would have proactive approaches to deal with the challenges.