Capt. Gerry Gouveia is no stranger to Guyanese. As a matter of fact, he is respected because of his position of leadership, influence and, might I add, authority. When one commands such an influential position, he/she is expected to be responsible when speaking at public forums since his/her messages can redound on listeners.
I recently read a Facebook post, purportedly penned by Mr. Gouveia where he proudly proclaimed to be “a warrior for democracy and the rule of law.” I’ve thoroughly digested the message before concluding that Mr. Gouveia either fails to understand the true meaning of democracy and the rule of law, or he is downright dishonest.
Citizens are entitled to their views on issues of public interest but too many of our social commentators blatantly water down those issues pertaining to good governance which are of public concern and interest, especially when the salient points deal with benefits to Africans.
Such behaviour clearly demonstrates contempt for Africans and an eagerness to support the ruling cabal in the subjugation of a significant proportion of the population. I cannot recall Mr. Gouveia raising his voice in indignation when the PPP government blatantly refused to hold local government elections. I am still awaiting his clarion call for a clean voters list and the incorporation of biometrics at the place of polling.
Mr. Gouveia’s interpretation of democracy lies solely in the concept of ‘the right to vote’ and in his estimation, those who control the government are not subject to national laws. Small wonder our country is in this shambolic state because Mr. Gouveia and those of his ilk will not shy away from undermining democracy for personal benefits. Clearly, they are nothing short of great pretenders, sanctimoniously wrapped in the cloaks of democratic guardians.
Obviously, Mr. Gouveia seems not to have grasped the concept of democracy. Had he taken time to chew on this concept, he would not have made those utterances. It must be noted that those citizens engaged in the voting process in a democracy and their representatives in government and agents in the bureaucracy, would transcend self-interest when implementing public policies, acting instead on compelling precepts of utilitarian science. In a democratic state elected representatives and officials are publicly accountable to the citizens. A surreptitious glance at the state of governance in Guyana would convince, even the uninitiated, that democracy is imperiled, yet the ‘democracy warriors’ conveniently fail to see or admit it. One can only assume that their views either border on the myopic on one end of the continuum or a bad case of conjunctivitis, on the other.
The evidence is compelling; the ruling cabal seems bent on undermining democracy both at the central and local government levels. One notes also, that the sectoral committees within the National Assembly are all dysfunctional. Even more chaotic, the Public Accounts Committee is unable to effectively execute its tasks owing to the PPP posturing and the Central Government has continuously undermined the works of opposition-led LDCs. There is no merit in such strategies, and one naturally anticipates that the warriors for democracy will defend the victims of poor governance.
Cases of democratic violations exhibited by the government are numerous and include the lopsided allocation of developmental benefits, the awarding of public contracts to cronies and known supporters of the PPP, the ostracisation of African organisations from government subvention, the dishonouring of the collective bargaining agreement, and the dismissal of scores of African Guyanese from the public sector among other atrocities.
One wonders whether the terminology ‘Warrior Gerry,’ is indicative of his fighting spirit for democratic norms or whether he is simply waging war on the Africans. The ‘Rule of Law’ that my pilot friend so loudly advocates is a concept that refers to a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions, and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated. They must also be consistent with international human rights norms and standards. Given the definition, how does the Attorney General account for abusing the state resources when he allegedly ordered the deployment of twenty-two police ranks at Kingelly to stop members of the McPherson Clan from executing a family project? The AG has no locus standi in the matter and his action constituted a clear violation of the concept of rule of law.
Another blatant act of discrimination against Africans occurred in the case of WPA executive and social activist, Tacuma Ogunseye, who was cited and dragged before the courts for purportedly engaging in hate speech. That matter is now sub judice so I will refrain from elaborating. Conversely, one examines the Facebook rant of Imran in June 2022 when he publicly advocated for the ‘Killing of Blackman’ during protest actions by Africans. Neither the police nor the ruling cabal has sanctioned Imran, though his violations were more blatant and criminal. Maybe now is the time for ‘Warrior Gerry,’ to don his fighting gears in support of, not African or Indian dignity but Human Rights, a much more noble concept.
Sir Gerry ought to refer to the principle of governance in which all persons, institutions, and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards. Finally, how can we forget Jagdeo’s gaslighting rhetoric at Babu Jaan in March 2019? How can we ignore Irfaan Ali and his cohort’s thuggery and threatening advances toward Dr. Karen Cummings at the Pegasus Hotel?
So, Gerry, there’s nothing wrong with being touted as a warrior. However, every war must be justified before engagement. Since you’re already attired in war gear, it would be nice, nay appropriate, to engage in a holistic battle and not just segregate Africans for rapid fire.
