Some of our helpers are really our exploiters

Mar 15, 2020 Eye on Guyana with Lincoln Lewis, Features / Columnists

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The demand last Thursday by the European Union (EU) for the Region Four Returning Officer to hand over copies of the Statements of Poll speaks to betrayal of our trust, disrespect for our national sovereignty and people. No Guyana Ambassador or High Commissioner to any member-state within the EU could have entertained such thought much less vocalise same. He or she would have been considered persona non grata by the host country and asked to leave.
Those who constantly come and selectively take a political side rather than seeking to embrace a principled position for equity, justice and safety, at all levels and at all times, exploit our people’s innocence and vulnerability, as they seek to benefit from our conflicts. Where they don’t familiarise themselves with our dynamics they contribute in us having greater conflicts than anything else.
Every foreign mission in Guyana represents the interest of their country, not ours. We have heard from many political groups that this election is about who controls the oil and gas and the proceeds from same. The desire for this has resulted in a tug of war which can lead to physical conflict between the races, degeneration in relationship, and decay in our economic well-being.
All these countries that are speaking today and seeking to tell us how we should conduct our business have an interest in how our oil and gas sector will be managed for the interest of companies and shareholders in their respective countries. This nation has been exposed to constant exploitation of our natural resources over the years from foreign forces.
Even as an independent nation the moment the Forbes Burnham government, supported by Cheddi Jagan, commenced the process of having Guyanese control our resources, we were further pitted against each other and our neighbouring country. Roadblocks became evident.
History is replete with examples of many oil-rich and mineral-rich countries who have experienced being torn asunder by outside intervention, supposedly with the intent to democratise the country. At this point in time when Guyana is about to expand its wealth our best protection, individual and collective well-being, lies in national unity. We should have been working together hand in glove recognising that external and internal forces could take advantage of our collective weakness.
We allow ourselves to fall prey to these people, fanning the flames of division and mistrust of those among us. In our worst days, in our lowest days, we have never had this type of relationship with the international community. Even when there were issues to be questioned, it was never as blatant, aggressive and destructive as what we witnessed here in the 2020 election. Bharrat Jagdeo allowed himself and his party to be a ready vessel and asset for this. The depths to which we see him prepared to take this country would have never seen the PPP under Jagan stooping to.
The greatest display of camaraderie between some in the international community and one particular side, giving the impression of a relationship, would cause concern as to their independence and whether they are impartial observers. We are witnessing splashing across facebook, photographs and videos suggesting more than a causal relationship exists between one party and observers. There appears to be no concern to even manage what might be genuine friendship in order to convey what may be independence and professionalism.
From the time oil and gas were discovered our national leaders should have sat down as one nation and decided together how we are going to manage this as one Guyanese people, instead of being caught up in who can win and take all. No effort was made, even during the period of the no confidence vote, to guarantee or ensure the security of themselves and own, and ultimately each other, under the political system of inclusionary democracy as enshrined in Article 13 of the Constitution. The stake was placed in winning and getting all, that is why today we have the fear, etc.
Whichever party/group is declared as the one to form the government in 2020, I call on them to recognise the genuine fears; the specific needs of each group that speak to their cultural survival and national pride. It is wrong for this nation to be going through racial and emotional turmoil at every election cycle. It is unfair for the people of Guyana to be living in fear that unless the government that looks like them is in office they are doomed, or their interests not properly served.
Our political leaders are called on to embark on national discussion and more particularly whichever party forms the opposition, to work towards a plan to move Guyana forward. They owe it to the children and young generation who are growing up and embracing the venom from the elders, being told stories to fuel passions that will not serve them nor the common good. We must stamp out the proliferation of alternative facts and hold leaders who engage in such practices accountable by rejecting their leadership.
Guyanese are being called on to move forward into the new dawn, to make a better world for all, in particular youth, women and the more vulnerable in our midst. Do not allow yourself to fall prey, to be caught up in hate and division that only breed further hate and division and keep us divided. The time for healing must begin now.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

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