Rickford Burke, president of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), has called for mass protests against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, accusing the administration of abusing state power and urging citizens to resist what he describes as anti-democratic practices.
In a strongly worded statement, Burke called for Guyana to be made “ungovernable” through protests until the rule of law and democratic governance are restored. He also condemned Wednesday’s arrest of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed in connection with CCTV footage allegedly linked to a shooting incident in Kitty. At the time of writing, Mohamed remained in custody at the Kitty Police Station.
Burke, who said he does not support Mohamed’s politics, argued that his concerns stem from what he characterised as the government’s alleged misuse of the Guyana Police Force to pursue political opponents and personal adversaries.
“I have said repeatedly that I hold no brief for Azruddin Mohamed. I do not support his politics. However, I am profoundly concerned about the PPP regime’s tyrannical abuse of power, malfeasance, as well as the corrupt, misuse of the Police as their personal, mercenary force to pursue political enemies and personal adversaries,” Burke stated.
He alleged that the police have been used to intimidate political opponents through fabricated allegations and planted evidence.
The controversy centres on the reported arrests of Mohamed, Police Constable Ryan Greene and Greene’s mother over the handling of CCTV footage allegedly connected to the Kitty shooting incident.
According to Burke, Mohamed was arrested because he obtained surveillance footage that the police had previously claimed they did not possess. He questioned the legal basis for the arrests, arguing that the sharing of CCTV footage is not, in itself, prohibited by law.
“What crime did these citizens commit?” Burke asked, challenging the authorities to explain the grounds for the arrests.
Burke further alleged that the police action was intended to prevent Mohamed and his supporters from participating in protest activities during the visit of King Charles III to Guyana.
He maintained that the authorities must explain the basis for their actions and ensure that criminal investigations are conducted in accordance with constitutional safeguards and due process.
Calls for international scrutiny
Burke also criticised what he described as the silence of the United States and other international partners over alleged abuses by the Guyanese government.
He claimed that the administration’s relationship with Washington has encouraged a perception that it is insulated from international criticism. He called on the US State Department and other countries, including members of the European Union, to scrutinise the government’s conduct.
“The U.S. government and the rest of the international community must not accept such abuses of power either. Their silence conveys a perception of complicity,” he said.
The CGID president also questioned the role of Attorney-General Anil Nandlall in the extradition proceedings involving Mohamed, making a series of allegations about the attorney-general’s conduct and professional integrity.
Burke alleged that Nandlall had been pursued by police under the previous administration over the murder of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing, and that the investigation was subsequently covered up after the PPP/C returned to office in 2020.
Burke also criticised the Caribbean Court of Justice’s handling of matters involving Nandlall, although the statement did not identify the specific ruling or provide details sufficient to verify his characterisation of the court’s remarks.
Urges citizens to mobilise
Burke concluded with a call for Guyanese to exercise their right to peaceful assembly and organise protests against the government.
He argued that citizens must be prepared to challenge state actions they consider unlawful and demand accountability from public officials.
“Guyanese have a right to protest, and use all lawful means necessary to make Guyana ungovernable by the PPP, to stop the abuse of power, restore good governance, and rule of law,” he stated.
He called for what he described as “mass, crippling protests” until democratic governance is restored, presenting peaceful public protest as a constitutional means of holding the government accountable.
The statement comes amid political tensions surrounding Mohamed and the authorities’ actions against individuals allegedly connected to the CCTV footage. The circumstances of the arrests, the evidence relied upon by investigators and the legal basis for the police action remain central questions requiring clarification from the relevant authorities.
