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By Mark DaCosta- President Irfaan Ali delivered an address on September 3, 2024, at the opening of the 46th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference for the Caribbean, the Americas, and the Atlantic regions. Speaking to representatives gathered at Georgetown’s Umana Yana, the President called for a deepened commitment to dialogue, inclusion, and the protection of democratic institutions amidst growing global threats to parliamentary democracy.
However, at home, in Guyana, the Ali administration does not adhere to political dialogue and inclusion. There is no consistent and sustained engagement between the Government and Opposition. Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton and President Irfaan Ali may have met not more than ten times in four years on issues of national importance. Ali was sworn in as President in August 2020.
Addressing the conference Ali underscored the importance of free and fair elections as the foundation of any democratic society, noting that such elections reflect the true will of the people and are integral to the integrity of representative governments and parliaments. He pointed out that the very essence of a functioning democracy lies in protecting constitutional rights and ensuring that violations of human rights, curtailing of freedoms, and the subversion of the rule of law are vigilantly prevented. He warned that when these rights are compromised, the collapse of democracy becomes a real risk.
However, in Guyana these violations occur daily under the Ali administration. Notably among which is the segregated management of the economy, exclusion of the Opposition and other stakeholders from the decision-making processes of national which conflict with the political objection of Guyana that mandates “inclusionary democracy.” This is outlined at Article 13 in the Constitution of Guyana.
Highlighting the importance of robust institutions, President Ali said that strong, independent governance structures are the backbone of a healthy democracy. These institutions are essential for ensuring accountability, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law. He emphasised that parliaments, as the representative bodies of the people, must lead by example through strong oversight mechanisms, thus preserving the integrity of public institutions.
In Guyana the parliamentary system is being rendered ineffective by the Ali government which contributes to the weakening of oversight mechanism and preserving integrity. In last four years the 12th Parliament had only 85 sittings, averaging 21 sittings per year.
Ali recognised the inherent adversarial nature of most parliamentary systems, where the government is tasked with proposing policies while the opposition is often seen as its counterbalance. However, he cautioned against viewing this adversarial structure as a divide that turns political opponents into enemies. In Guyana, mechanisms embedded in the constitution allow for significant opposition involvement. For example, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is chaired by an opposition member, and select committees allow for input from all sides, helping to foster greater consensus on legislation.
The Opposition has repeatedly complained of Government’s maneuvering to undermine the effective and efficient functioning of the parliamentary committee. The Committee Chairman, Jermaine Figueira, recently warned that the constant absence of government members at the duly constituted meeting is crippling the work of the oversight committee on scrutinising public spending.
In his address, President Ali highlighted the multifaceted threats that modern parliaments face. From the rise of populism to the spread of misinformation, he said that these challenges are undermining democratic norms. He pointed specifically to the dangers posed by misinformation, particularly in today’s digital age, where social media platforms allow unverified information to spread rapidly. This, he warned, can distort public perception, erode trust in democratic institutions, and influence voter behaviour, ultimately leading to increased polarisation in society.
Ali also took aim at the growing influence of extreme ideologies, such as right-wing nationalism and populism, which he said threaten the foundational principles of pluralism, tolerance, and inclusion. These ideologies often scapegoat marginalised groups, including immigrants, further dividing societies. Ali warned that when leaders employ such tactics to undermine democratic institutions, they are playing a dangerous game with the stability of national life.
