By Mark DaCosta- The political atmosphere in our nation grows increasingly troubled as serious allegations of corruption threaten to unravel the remains of the integrity of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. The starkly different treatment of Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas and the Mohamed family raises significant concerns about the government’s dedication to justice and transparency, revealing a troubling pattern of political patronage and complicity, say analysts and commentators.
On June 11, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Mae Thomas, citing her involvement in corruption while serving as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs from October 2020 to August 2023. The accusations levelled at her are not mere allegations; they suggest a concerted effort to exploit her position for personal gain.
The specific charges against Thomas are troubling. It is alleged that she accepted bribes, including cash payouts and luxurious gifts, in exchange for leveraging her authority to facilitate government contracts and critical approvals for business. Reports suggest her misconduct may have influenced not only the awarding of lucrative contracts but also critical governmental functions, such as the approval processes for weapons permits and passports, which, in a nation grappling with security issues, raises the stake considerably.
While the sanctions against Thomas explicitly outline her complicity in public corruption, it is perplexing and alarming that the PPP/C has not acted more decisively in her case. Despite the serious accusations and the international backlash, she has remained on the government’s payroll, silent while civil society calls for accountability grow louder.
The PPP/C’s credibility is further jeopardised when juxtaposed with the treatment of the Nasar “Shell” Mohamed and his son, turn-politician Azruddin Mohamed, who now face extradition to the United States for extensive allegations of defrauding our government of over US$50 million in duty taxes tied to alleged gold trading operations.
The government’s paradoxical stance — allocating substantial resources to expedite the Mohameds’ extradition — raises questions about its commitment to address corruption within its ranks. As a political analyst noted, “The treatment of Thomas versus the Mohameds starkly reveals a troubling double standard. When it comes to the PPP/C, the circle of protection is clearly reserved for those within their inner fold.” The implication is undeniable: some individuals appear to be shielded from the consequences of serious misconduct while others are left to navigate the harsh consequences of alleged criminal charges.
Although Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that Thomas will not be included in the PPP’s candidate list for last elections, her quiet departure from the spotlight belies the severity of the allegations against her. Reports indicate that she has been seen in public, occasionally engaging with the party’s base, which raises concerns about the party’s genuine willingness to sever ties with corruption. By merely placing her on leave, the administration seems to suggest that her actions are not incompatible with the values they supposedly espouse.
The wider implications are troubling. If our nation’s leadership is willing to turn a blind eye to serious allegations against a prominent member of the inner circle of the PPP like Thomas, one can’t help but ponder the integrity of governmental institutions and their commitment to justice. As the double standards become more evident, our citizens are left wondering what message this sends about equity and accountability in modern governance.
While Thomas’s alleged actions echo a betrayal of public trust, it is the apparent indifference from the highest echelons of power that is most alarming. With the Mohamed family facing the full weight of legal proceedings in the United States, and Guyana, the contrast between their situation and that of Thomas is jarring. It raises essential questions about who is deemed accountable and who is allowed to slip through the cracks of a flawed system, the analysts noted.
In an environment where justice is supposed to be blind, the unraveling narrative serves as a stark reminder that the scales are tipped perilously in favour of the politically connected. As the truth of Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas actions and the clear discrepancies in treatment come to light, it demands a well-deserved reckoning — one that requires our leaders to be held to the same standards they expect of their constituents. In a nation yearning for integrity and equity, the question remains: will those in power finally be held to account?
