Sir Shridath Ramphal was Guyana’s most prominent Statesman, barring none. Sir Shridath has distinguished himself as a Guyanese, both in Guyana, and internationally. As one of Guyana’s early Ministers of Foreign Affairs, in the years just after independence, it was his responsibility to fashion a Foreign Service that not only projected the dreams and aspirations of a young and ambitious state, but equally, as important, to defend it from territorial threats that raised their ugly heads just before and after independence.
‘Sonny’ Ramphal, has to be counted alongside former President’s Burnham and Jagan as one of the men and women who were instrumental in shaping the independent Guyana into what it is today. He was part of the firmament of the Guyana we have inherited.
As Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat (1975-1990), Sir Shridath positioned the Commonwealth in the post-colonial era as being a truly global organisation, and gave a voice to African, Caribbean and Asian states, in particular, which felt marginalized and ignored. In him, they saw themselves and found a voice, and he did everyone proud.
Most notable was his strident efforts to bring an end to the evil system of apartheid that was practised in the Southern African states, and to usher in the new beginnings of the Republic of South Africa where every citizen’s vote mattered and made a difference in the eventual election of Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress.
In the last episode of his life he assumed the role of Eminent Statesman – working to keep alive the dream of the Caribbean Community as it entered the 21st Century. Likewise, he acted as a quiet and skilled Mediator and Diplomat to resolve many thorny and difficult political issues that arose in member states.
For Guyana, in particular, Sir Shridath was the lead Counsel in the state’s defence of its sovereignty in 2000, when Guyana approached the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to settle the maritime boundary dispute between Guyana and Suriname, and which, was successfully adjudicated in Guyana’s favour. Sir Shridath reprised that important role when he worked assiduously, from 2015, to build a team of experts and to prepare Guyana’s case to be presented to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that is intended to settle, once and for all, Venezuela’s false and persistent claims of ownership of Guyana’s territory.
It can be said that Sir Shridath died “with his boots on” – fighting for justice, and for his people, until his last breath. He has been awarded the nation’s highest honour, the “Order of Excellence” and it is only fitting that there be a lasting monument erected in his name and memory.
The Alliance For Change (AFC) extends heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the late, great Sir Shridath Ramphal and believe that it is fitting to ascribe the biblical accolade to him as we say “well done, good and faithful servant” for he has served humanity well. May his soul rest in peace.
