Last Monday the top Western diplomats- United States, Canada, United Kingdom and European Union- held talks with President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, was not at that meeting though he is second in charge and constitutionally senior to the vice president. That aside Guyanese deserve to know what those talks were about.
Whilst the diplomats will brief their respective countries since they are acting on behalf of the people of those countries, Guyanese are yet to be briefed. Guyanese deserve to know the contents of Monday’s talks. Recognition of this should inform that the details be made public sooner rather than later.
Sources have informed this publication the meeting discussed matters such as the rule of law and governance. These are very important issues to Guyanese. The rule of law is often ignored by the government which will have an undesirable impact on governance. There is the continuous clamouring for the President and Leader of the Opposition to engage as per the Constitution of Guyana. The president continues to refuse having this engagement because he first needs to hear that his government is legitimate.
Outsiders looking in must be shaking their heads in puzzlement at how silly Guyana’s politics is. They must wonder what sort of society is this or what type of leaders Guyanese elect that their feelings have to be satisfied first not the needs of the people they should be serving. Whilst the present United States (U.S) diplomat former boss, President Donald Trump, had similar yearning to have his ego constantly fed, President Joe Biden is not of this calibre.
It is hoped the U.S ambassador is acutely aware of the difference in the emotional deposition of Trump and Biden. If she is, it is hoped she used Monday’s meeting to inform Ali that his emotional need should not rely on fulfilment from the Leader of Opposition to honour the rule of law. She should, it is our hope she did, encourage Ali to govern by the values espoused by Biden to work across the political divide and be a president for all. Governing of Guyana in the interest of all Guyanese requires the involvement of both Opposition and Government. Governing is never about friendship but what is required to be done.
The Constitution requires engagement that is not superficial but meaningful. All organisations and individuals must be involved in managing and building Guyana because the constitution requires collective not isolationist approaches. Voting is merely one aspect. It is unacceptable to have to rely on the vote of any citizen, to participate in the electoral process, and thereafter ignore the input of citizens to the development of Guyana.
Government should not be allowed to think they can govern Guyana with only the involvement of one section and not all sections of society. The rights and freedoms of every voter, citizen, group and organisation are important and must not be denied. It is unacceptable to accept otherwise. It may never be known what the talks with the Western diplomats and president entailed. What is significant though, is that Guyanese must know they are ultimately responsible for ensuring the rule of law and governance are to the benefit of all, not a few.
