At the opening of the 2023 International Building Expo on Thursday, President Irfaan Ali was caught on tape in an act that could be considered physical assault of his bodyguard. The security for the President is provided by the Guyana Police Force. In the video, below, the president is seen physically dragging the gentleman away from what appears to be an interface with a section of the crowd, among whom included the outgoing United States Ambassador.
The video which has been doing the social media round has attracted widespread condemnation.
Attorney-at-law Darren Wade deemed the president’s action a crime, violent or the threat of violence which he said is unacceptable and should be condemned.
Trade unionist Lincoln Lewis told Village Voice News he was shocked when he saw the video. According to him, as a trade unionist, the president’s action constitutes an assault on an employee. He said in the work environment, acts of such nature (as committed by the president) would lead to various forms of industrial actions such as strike, go slow, and in some cases could result in further physical altercation.
Lewis said, “the president has to be mindful of the image and messages he presents to the public.” According to the trade unionist, Ali is also communicating to employers, managers and ordinary workers, both in the private and public sectors, that it is acceptable to pull or chuck their subordinate or fellow worker.
Former Mayor Ubraj Narine has condemned the president’s behaviour. In a statement he has called on Ali to issue a public apology to his bodyguard and the people of our nation. It is imperative that he acknowledges the gravity of his behavior and takes steps to make amends for any harm caused, Narine said.
Shadow Attorney General and Minister Legal Affairs, Roysdale Forde, S.C in his column on Thursday addressed the issue of leadership in society, notably President Ali. According to Forde, “Guyanese need a leader who will put the people first, a leader who does not believe leadership requires deceit, abrasiveness and uncouthness, a leader who can make the tough decisions to facilitate pathways for equity and equality to thrive, even if such decisions are unpopular with his/her hardline supporters.”
In an invited comment, the senior counsel told Village Voice News the president ‘s behaviour is alarming, inexcusable, unbefitting of his office and reflects the display of a person who is impulsive and not likely to think things through before acting.” How else could you explain a behaviour that is improper, suggests aggression and the inability to be in control of oneself, he contended.
