The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is demanding answers from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the government following the quiet reinstatement of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Khalid Mandall, who had been sent on administrative leave in connection with the controversial and emotionally charged death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.
The coalition, in a strongly worded statement, said the move has reignited public concern about transparency, accountability and the integrity of the justice system—particularly given the unresolved questions surrounding the young girl’s death and the government’s earlier promises of openness.
On April 23, 2025, Younge was reportedly at the pool of the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, along with her grandmother and relatives. She was reported missing that afternoon, and despite searches by relatives and police—including a search of the very pool—she was not found.
Her body was discovered the following morning, April 24, in that same pool. Police and medical personnel observed “visible marks of violence” on her face and body. The grim discovery triggered widespread shock, national protests, and an emotional public outcry. Angry residents set tyres and debris alight, and parts of the hotel were stormed and torched.
Senior members of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)—including Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo—condemned what they called “callous” and “misleading” actions by the police. President Irfaan Ali pledged full transparency, promised to mobilise state resources, and assured the country that the investigation’s final report would be disclosed.
But more than six months later, the case remains fraught with unanswered questions. The official conclusion of drowning, disputed investigative procedures, and the family’s insistence that critical evidence was overlooked have fuelled ongoing doubt about the integrity of the inquiry.
APNU Questions Sudden Reinstatement
Against this backdrop, the PNCR/APNU coalition says the reinstatement of ACP Mandall—done without announcement, briefing, or explanation—has only deepened public unease.
In its release, the coalition stated:
“The People’s National Congress Reform and the APNU coalition note with concern the quiet and unexplained reinstatement of Mr. Khalid Mandall into the Guyana Police Force following his administrative leave related to the Adrianna Younge matter. This development raises legitimate questions about transparency, accountability, and the processes governing such decisions.”
The coalition stressed that the Younge case “touched the conscience of the nation” and involved “several unresolved issues that warranted clear and credible follow-up.” It argued that the lack of communication around Mandall’s return to active duty conflicts sharply with government promises of transparency.
APNU added: “The return of Mr. Mandall to active duty without any accompanying explanation has therefore contributed to public unease and the perception that important decisions affecting public trust are being managed without adequate communication.”
“Who authorised this decision?”
The coalition is pressing for answers to three specific questions:
1. Who authorised the reinstatement?
2. What review or investigation informed this decision?
3. Why was the public not updated on a matter with significant implications for trust in law enforcement?
APNU emphasised that accountability in policing is central to public confidence:
“The PNCR/APNU reaffirms its longstanding position that accountability, due process, and public confidence in the Guyana Police Force must remain paramount… We respectfully call on the relevant authorities to provide a full and transparent explanation to the people of Guyana.”
The unresolved nature of the Adrianna Younge investigation continues to cast a long shadow over the Police Force and the government’s credibility. APNU’s concerns echo a wider national frustration over unanswered questions, perceived institutional opacity, and the apparent gap between the administration’s early commitments and subsequent actions.
The coalition concluded:
“Guyanese citizens deserve clarity, fairness, and openness in all matters touching on justice and national institutions. Strengthening accountability strengthens democracy, and transparency promotes confidence in the systems that serve the people… The people of Guyana deserve no less.”
The quiet reinstatement of ACP Khalid Mandall has become a stark symbol of the deeper crisis facing Guyana’s justice system. For a nation still grieving the brutal loss of an 11-year-old girl, the move underscores a troubling gap between promises of accountability and the reality on the ground. Without transparency and decisive action, trust in the institutions meant to protect citizens risks being permanently eroded—leaving questions of justice unanswered and the public’s faith in law enforcement hanging by a thread.
