A name is important; it identifies you, it defines you. PPP/C? Do Guyanese now get it? Is it the People’s Progressive Party Corruption? The questioning of Permanent Secretary Mae Tousant has led to a domino effect that has set the “C” in the PPP ablaze—not the CIVIC but the corruption. The unfolding drama is astonishing, revealing a cascade of unethical behavior that implicates not just individuals, but entire institutions.
The recent interception by US authorities has spotlighted the failures within the Guyana Police Force (GPF), a body sworn to serve and protect the people of Guyana, now clearly identified as part of a corrupt organization and government. These revelations expose significant flaws in the Guyanese system of government, the judicial system, and the very institutions that are supposed to vet corruption, monitor social media, and uphold human rights. These are telling times for the PPP/C.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali carries on as if nothing unusual is happening in his government. The President has ignored the questioning of police commanders, businessmen, permanent secretaries, and the visa revocations of government ministers by US authorities. Guyanese demand answers: why are US authorities questioning and revoking visas of PPP/C government officials and permanent secretaries? Why are officials from the PNCR, AFC, NFA, WPA, and other opposition parties not facing similar scrutiny? Why is it only the People’s Progressive Party members?
The list of PPP/C government officials, their families, siblings, and relatives being questioned and having their visas revoked is long. By now, Guyanese deserve complete answers. Those identified by the US should be questioned locally by the institutions tasked with monitoring and vetting corruption. However, it seems the heads of these institutions are too afraid to travel to the US or challenge their government. Recently, when the UN questioned Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira about the Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s corruption allegations by Vice News’ Isobel Yeong, no Guyanese institution saw fit to question Jagdeo. President Ali himself vouched for Jagdeo, despite video evidence showing Jagdeo involved in dubious negotiations in his home.
The big soiree set to take place in the US by the PPP, under the guise of attracting investors to Guyana, has government officials and local private sector heads shaking. They are afraid to travel, wary of colleagues who might be cutting deals with the DEA to reduce their time in US maximum security facilities. Why is President Ali silent? Why is he reshuffling the same people to different government departments? This cycle must stop.
The President’s silence and inaction in the face of these serious allegations are unacceptable. It is a national embarrassment that must be addressed. The Guyanese people need transparency and accountability. They need to know that their leaders are not above the law and that corruption will be rooted out, no matter how high it goes.
It is time for President Ali to break his silence, provide answers, and take decisive action against corruption within his government. The integrity of Guyana’s democracy depends on it. The people deserve better than to be governed by a party synonymous with corruption. They deserve leaders who prioritize the nation’s welfare over personal gain. The world is watching, investors are wondering and Guyana cannot afford to let corruption define its future.
