Burke Rips PPP Government Over MV Barima Tragedy, Calls for Nationwide Protests

By Staff Reporter

In a fiery Facebook live broadcast on the evening of July 25, CGID President Mr. Rickford Burke launched a blistering attack on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government, accusing it of racism, cover-up, and gross negligence in the wake of the MV Barima ferry disaster.

Speaking from his base in the United States, Burke vehemently rejected the government’s newly announced five-member Commission of Inquiry (COI), labeling it a “strategy for a cover-up.” He urged Guyanese to “reject it” and to “shut the country down, make the country ungovernable” through peaceful protests, while simultaneously directing his ire at senior officials he accused of shielding those responsible for the tragedy .

A “Racist Government” and “Ethnocracy”

Burke, a known critic of the administration, made the controversial claim that the PPP operates as a “kleptocratic ethnocracy” governing for East Indian supporters while marginalizing other groups . “The PPP government, the PPP members’ leadership continues to act like they own Guyana,” Burke declared, asserting that they were sending “black bodies” to take the blame for policy decisions he argued were made by the party’s leadership.

He singled out Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, and Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) head Stephen Thomas, describing them as figures without real power who are being set up to bear the brunt of public outrage. “None of those guys have power in the PPP,” Burke stated. “But these Indian guys in the PPP are like, ‘This is an international crisis… Send them black bodies.'”

Accusations of a Cover-Up and U.S. Intervention

The CGID President continued by alleging that the government is deliberately obstructing a proper investigation into the sinking of the vessel, which has claimed dozens of lives. He pointed to the government’s failure to invite the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist, suggesting they are hiding corruption. “The government has not asked the United States government for help… because they’re going to find all sort of corruption,” Burke claimed .

He also criticized the salvage operation for the vessel, describing the government’s plan as “stupidness” and arguing that experienced international salvagers should have been brought in immediately.

Demand for Accountability and “Political Hell”

Reiterating statements made by the CGID earlier in the day, Burke questioned why no senior officials have been dismissed. He called for the firing of the MARAD board and management, asserting that a criminal act occurred. “Who is the person that allowed that boat to leave?” he demanded .

Burke did not mince words regarding the victims. He asserted that the government cares more about its political base and noted that many of the victims are Amerindians from remote regions, implying a lack of regard for their welfare. He concluded his address with a stark warning: “If Guyanese allow them to get away with it, then war beyond us as a nation… the good Lord will chastise our nation.”

Editor’s Note: Mr. Burke has previously faced legal challenges regarding his statements against government officials, including a recent court ruling that decriminalized defamatory libel in Guyana .