Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has taken Guyana’s escalating Region 10 governance crisis to the international community, calling on diplomatic missions and international organisations to take note of what he describes as the denial of democratic representation and alleged political victimisation of public workers.
In a formal letter to British High Commissioner Joseph Fisher MBE, Mohamed said mounting frustration in Region 10 culminated in peaceful street protests on August 4, after citizens, he said, repeatedly sought to resolve their concerns through established democratic channels.
He said the situation became even more troubling following allegations that public workers were dismissed because they did not attend Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s public event in the region. If substantiated, Mohamed said, the allegations would represent a serious escalation from a dispute over regional representation to the alleged use of public employment as a tool of political pressure and retaliation.
Region 10 remains without elected leadership
The governance dispute dates back to the 2025 General and Regional Elections, when residents of Region 10 elected 18 representatives to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). The councillors subsequently took their oaths of office.
However, almost one year later, Region 10 remains the only region in Guyana without an elected Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman.
According to Mohamed, the statutory meeting required to complete the election has not been reconvened because the Government-appointed Regional Executive Officer, who also serves as Clerk of the Council, has refused to call the meeting.
“The people voted. Their representatives were elected. Their representatives were sworn in. But the democratic process has not been allowed to reach its conclusion.”
Mohamed said the impasse is not merely administrative, arguing that the absence of elected regional leadership weakens the Council’s ability to establish committees, exercise oversight and effectively represent residents on matters including roads, drainage, schools, health services, housing, agriculture, youth development, sports and community development.
He also raised concerns about the 2027 Regional Budget, saying consultations have reportedly commenced without the full participation and oversight of the elected RDC.
Protest followed by alleged worker dismissals
The dispute spilled onto the streets on August 4 when residents gathered during Jagdeo’s visit to Region 10 to protest the continuing governance impasse.
Mohamed said the protest was peaceful, lawful and disciplined, with residents demanding that their votes be respected and full democratic representation restored.
But six days later, more than 60 ten-day workers in Coomacka were reportedly informed that their services were no longer required.
According to accounts cited by Mohamed, the workers were informed of the decision at a meeting convened by PPP member Nick Hartman. The workers allegedly said they were told that the directive came from the Regional Executive Officer and the Prime Minister’s Representative because they had not attended Jagdeo’s public meeting at Watooka House on August 4.
The workers reportedly said attendance at the event had never been communicated as a condition of employment. They further alleged that they were expected to attend to contribute to the size of the crowd, while there were reports that only some of the workers could later be rehired.
“No citizen should have to attend a political event in order to keep a public-sector job.”
Mohamed said the allegations must be independently investigated, particularly given the timing of the reported dismissals, which came only six days after the protest. He warned that, if substantiated, the dismissals would raise serious concerns about political retaliation, freedom of political choice and the use of public employment to punish citizens for their political decisions.
Calls for international scrutiny
Mohamed has called on the United Nations, Organization of American States, Commonwealth, CARICOM, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Inter-Parliamentary Union, European Union and diplomatic missions accredited to Guyana to monitor the situation.
Among his demands are the immediate reconvening of the statutory RDC meeting, completion of the election of the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman, full participation of elected representatives in regional planning and budgeting, and an independent investigation into the alleged dismissal of public workers.
He is also calling for the affected workers to be reinstated pending the investigation and for public employees and citizens to be protected from political retaliation, intimidation or victimisation.
Mohamed said the Region 10 dispute raises fundamental questions about the meaning of democratic representation in Guyana.
“What does a vote mean if the Government can prevent the elected representatives of a region from completing the process of choosing their leadership? And what does democracy mean if citizens can fear losing their jobs because they chose not to attend a political event?”
He argued that Region 10 residents should not have to fight for democratic rights enjoyed by citizens elsewhere in Guyana.
“They voted. Their representatives were elected. Their representatives were sworn in. They peacefully exercised their right to protest. They must not now be punished for exercising that right.”
Mohamed said the Opposition remains committed to pursuing the matter through peaceful, lawful and democratic means, while asking the international community to remain engaged with developments in Region 10.
