What began as a seemingly innocuous greeting has evolved into a flashpoint in the national discourse. On August 22, 2025, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan issued an official statement condemning what he called the politicisation of a handshake with Azruddin Mohamed, the presidential candidate of the “We Invest In Nationhood” (WIN) party, during Joint Services voting at Base Camp Ayanganna.
Brigadier Khan stressed that the gesture was merely courteous and was being misrepresented for “political gain” across social media platforms:
“Let it be clear, neither I nor the Guyana Defence Force as an institution supports or endorses any political party or candidate. The Force stands firm, neutral, patriotic, and loyal to the constitution and the people of Guyana,” he declared, also labelling the social media posts in question as “misleading” and “dishonourable.”
The campaign environment is highly charged. There is also growing fear that dissent could trigger reprisals from the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). Many believe this atmosphere prompted the Chief of Defence Staff’s statement.
Former Staff Sgt.(GDF), Mayor City of Georgetown
This rare and highly public reaction from the GDF has now drawn pointed criticism from Pt. Ubraj Narine—former Staff Sergeant of the GDF and ex‑Mayor of Georgetown—who unleashed a scathing rebuttal.
“The issue? A simple handshake at Base Camp Ayanganna… all because a candidate shook hands with the Chief of Defence Staff,” Narine wrote, branding the GDF’s statement as “overblown and unnecessary.”
He went on to frame the incident as emblematic of deeper issues within democratic institutions:
“In any functioning democracy, greetings and handshakes are normal gestures of human decency, especially during election season. Soldiers, officers, and even generals interact with members of the public every day without the world collapsing into partisan chaos.”
Narine did not spare the GDF’s leadership from criticism. “This statement reeks of partisanship and insecurity,” he said.
“If the GDF truly stands neutral, why elevate a minor incident into a national headline? Why issue a defensive declaration that paints the Defence Force as if it were caught in wrongdoing?”
He further asserted that Brigadier Khan is likely attempting to signal loyalty to the ruling PPP/C, rather than uphold neutrality.
“Neutrality in the Defence Force should not be something spoken about only when convenient or when a handshake is weaponised to score political points,” Narine added. He condemned the episode as “a shameful spectacle” and questioned the institution’s independence—arguing that “if a handshake can shake the GDF so deeply, what does that say about the institution’s independence?”
Azruddin Mohamed—who officially declared his candidacy earlier in May as the presidential candidate of the newly formed WIN party—is no stranger to controversy. His campaign has been shadowed by U.S. sanctions and domestic allegations of tax and gold smuggling infractions
Despite these challenges, he continues to promote a party platform rooted in unity, inclusivity, and investment in the nation’s people.
As of now, the GDF has not released any further comments addressing Narine’s vehement critique. With elections scheduled for September 1, this incident underscores rising tensions over institutional impartiality, and raises questions about the alignment—or perceived alignment—of the military with political currents.
See full statement below:-
