By Mark DaCosta- In our nation’s recent history, the brutal murders of Ronald Waddell and Courtney Crum-Ewing stand as stark reminders of the perils faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo. Both men were vocal critics of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) during Bharrat Jagdeo’s presidency, and their untimely deaths have left indelible marks on our collective conscience.
As things stand, Bharrat Jagdeo remains at the helm of the party, and many commentators have stated that he is the puppet-master in the Irfaan Ali administration.
On the evening of January 30, 2006, Ronald Waddell, a journalist and political commentator, was ambushed outside his Georgetown residence. As he exited his vehicle to open his gate, gunmen approached and shot him multiple times.
Despite being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, Waddell was pronounced dead on arrival. Known for his outspoken criticism of the PPP government, particularly regarding corruption and the drug trade, Waddell’s assassination sent shockwaves throughout the nation.
The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) expressed alarm at the government’s muted response, emphasising the need for a professional and transparent investigation. However, to date, no inquest has been conducted, and the case remains unsolved. In 2009, during the trial of U.S. attorney Robert Simels, witness Selwyn Vaughn testified that Shaheed “Roger” Khan – who allegedly had political connections –ordered the hit on Waddell.
Vaughn alleged that after the shooting, Khan contacted then-Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, instructing him to ensure Waddell did not survive. These allegations have not led to prosecutions in Guyana, as local authorities stated that Vaughn’s U.S. court testimony could not be used unless he appeared in a local court.
Waddell’s murder occurred during a turbulent period marked by numerous extrajudicial killings, with an estimated 458 individuals, many young Afro-Guyanese men, killed under suspicious circumstances between 2002 and 2006.
Waddell was vocal about these incidents, describing them as a “government-sponsored genocide against the country’s youth.” His assassination is viewed by many as part of a larger pattern of alleged state-sanctioned violence aimed at silencing dissent.
Friends and colleagues continue to honour Waddell’s legacy through events like the “Evening of Reflection,” hosted by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), highlighting his commitment to empowering marginalised communities and exposing injustice.
Nearly a decade later, on March 10, 2015, political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing was gunned down in the Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. Armed only with a loudspeaker, he had been encouraging residents to vote in the upcoming elections to unseat the incumbent PPP government.
Crum-Ewing’s assassination, occurring just two months before national elections, was widely interpreted as an attempt to intimidate opposition activists and suppress dissent. Despite public outcry, the investigation into his murder was marred by inconsistencies.
Former PPP bodyguard and ex-soldier Regan “Grey Boy” Rodrigues was charged after a gun found in his possession was allegedly linked to the crime. However, due to insufficient evidence, the case against Rodrigues collapsed, and he was acquitted in 2017.
Many believe Rodrigues was a scapegoat, while the true orchestrators remain shielded by political connections. Crum-Ewing’s murder ignited widespread protests, with many viewing it as evidence of the PPP government’s willingness to use violence to maintain power. His funeral became a mass demonstration, with mourners demanding justice and an impartial investigation.
The political climate grew increasingly charged, and in May 2015, the PPP was voted out of office, ending its 23-year in government. The PPP returned to power in 2020 – could it be that Guyanese had forgotten about the killings, the brutality, the corruption, and the rampage of the “phantom squad”?
These high-profile assassinations are not isolated incidents. The murder of Minister of Agriculture Satyadeow Sawh in 2006 further exemplifies the climate of fear and violence that has plagued Guyana. Sawh, along with family members, was killed in his home by armed assailants — a crime that, like the others, remains unsolved.
The lack of resolution in these cases underscores a wider culture of impunity in Guyana. International organisations, including the United Nations Human Rights Committee, have called for comprehensive investigations into the wave of extrajudicial killings that plagued the nation during that era. Despite these calls, successive governments have made little progress in addressing these human rights violations, leaving families of victims without closure and perpetuating a climate of fear and mistrust.
Analysts have argued enough the necessity to confront these dark chapters of Guyana’s history. Forgetting or ignoring these events not only dishonours the memories of those lost but also paves the way for history to repeat itself.
According to one analyst it is imperative Guyanese demand transparency, accountability and justice. He contended that “only by acknowledging and addressing these injustices can we hope to build a society where freedom of expression is protected, and dissent is met with dialogue rather than violence.”
