Guyana is a country that has been plagued by fear and insecurity for decades. The root cause of this problem is the ethnic and political division that has been exploited by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which has ruled for most of the time since 1992. The PPP/C, which represents mainly the Indo-Guyanese community, has adopted a Machiavellian notion that it is better to be feared than loved. It has divided the nation along racial lines, and enacted a vicious authoritarian campaign over African people and poor people in Guyana.
This strategy has not only violated the human rights and dignity of many Guyanese citizens, but also undermined the social cohesion and economic development of the country. It has created resentment, mistrust and violence among different groups, and prevented them from working together for the common good. It has also wasted the opportunities and resources that Guyana has to offer, such as its newly discovered oil wealth, its rich cultural heritage, its strategic location and its diverse natural environment.
In this time of projected economic success, we advise the PPP/C government to seek more collaboration and unity in Guyana. We urge it to live up to the nation’s motto of one people, one nation, one destiny. We remind it that it is not only accountable to its supporters, but also to all Guyanese people who have elected it to serve them. We challenge it to respect the rule of law and democratic institutions, such as the electoral system and the parliament. We encourage it to engage in constructive dialogue and negotiation with other political parties on key policies that affect all sections of society. We appeal to it to promote tolerance and diversity among its supporters and across all ethnic groups.
By seeking more collaboration and unity in Guyana, the PPP/C government can demonstrate its leadership and vision for a better future for all. It can enhance its legitimacy and credibility among its constituents. It can improve its capacity to deliver effective governance and development outcomes for Guyana. Most importantly, it can contribute to building a more peaceful and prosperous nation for all.
