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Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana’s Vice President and former President, is often portrayed by his supporters as a shrewd and capable political leader. Yet, the reality is far more troubling. Jagdeo’s success is not due to brilliance or innovation, but rather to a ruthless and unrelenting use of power that has left deep scars on the country’s social fabric, particularly among African Guyanese. While the African community, by and large, has been too accommodating, and the African middle class seems unable or unwilling to match Jagdeo’s level of political brutality, his historical record suggests that the time has come to reevaluate his legacy and expose his methods to the world.
A Legacy of Oppression
Jagdeo’s rise to prominence is stained with a history of repression and suppression of dissent, particularly toward African Guyanese activists and communities. Perhaps the most glaring example of this is the imprisonment of activist Mark Benschop, who was incarcerated for five years on dubious treason charges. Benschop’s imprisonment was an egregious wrong to a young man and his family and an affront to free speech and the right to protest. Jagdeo’s government used its power to silence a voice that dared to speak out against corruption and mismanagement, demonstrating that those who challenge his rule would face severe consequences.
Let us not forget Jagdeo’s alleged role in destroying former Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen’s career Once a prominent figure in Guyanese public life, Magistrate Holder saw her career dismantled under Jagdeo’s reign. Holder-Allen’s career destruction is emblematic of how Jagdeo deals with those who dare defy him. It wasn’t enough to silence her; she had to be erased from public life, demonstrating the lengths to which he would go to maintain control.
Most disturbingly, under Jagdeo’s watch, over 1,000 Black youths were killed in extrajudicial circumstances, with no accountability for the perpetrators or the state. This dark chapter in Guyana’s history is often glossed over, but it represents a gross violation of human rights and reveals a brutal pattern of violence against African Guyanese communities. These killings were not random; they were systematic, targeting those Jagdeo’s regime viewed as a threat, be it real or imagined. Today he dares stand up and announce a COI to get to the bottom of vicious killings for which he is allegedly accountable.
The Assassinations of Crum-Ewing and Waddell
The assassinations of Courtney Crum-Ewing and Ronald Waddell are two high-profile cases that encapsulate Jagdeo’s political brutality. Crum-Ewing, a vocal critic of the government, was gunned down while urging people to vote against Jagdeo’s party. Ronald Waddell, another fierce critic and advocate for African Guyanese rights, met a similar fate. To date, neither Bharrat Jagdeo, AG Anil Nandlall or any of the political elite in the PPP who were alleged to be involved with these crimes have been formally or informally questioned regarding these murders, despite widespread suspicion of political motivation. The evasion of accountability in these cases further cements Jagdeo’s reputation as a leader who operates with impunity.
The African Community’s Response – Accommodation and Hesitance
One of the most perplexing aspects of Jagdeo’s continued dominance is the African Guyanese community’s inability to mount an effective response. While Jagdeo has shown himself to be ruthless, the African middle class appears incapable of matching his brutality, either through fear or a deep-seated belief in following the rule of law. But when the structures of power are rigged against you, and when law itself is manipulated by those in control, how does one respond?
History shows us that challenging such leaders requires a certain measure of force and determination. In apartheid South Africa, the African National Congress (ANC) eventually embraced an escalated struggle, recognizing that peaceful protest alone was insufficient to dismantle the brutal regime. In the American Civil Rights Movement, while figures like Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for nonviolent resistance, the threat of force from more radical groups like the Black Panther Party also played a role in pushing for change. In many cases, tyrants only respond to strength, and in Guyana’s case, Jagdeo is unlikely to back down without facing a challenge that shakes the foundations of his power.
What Is the Way Forward?
While it may not be clear whether meeting Jagdeo’s brutality with force is the answer, it is clear that his reign of impunity will continue unchecked unless he is challenged. African Guyanese must reckon with the reality that Jagdeo will not relinquish his grip on power through reasoned debate or moral persuasion. His historical record shows that he thrives on the weakness and inaction of his opposition. The community must rise to confront this brutality—not with violence, but with a unified and strategic approach that disrupts the systems that enable his rule.
Guyana stands at a crossroads, with immense opportunities for growth and development. But as long as leaders like Jagdeo are allowed to wield unchecked power, the country’s potential will remain stunted, and the African Guyanese community will continue to bear the brunt of his oppressive tactics. The world must be informed of the atrocities that have taken place under his watch. Only then can there be hope for justice, accountability, and true progress for all Guyanese.
