Invitation and disruption

Apr 04, 2025 Editorial, News

Editorial…

Kaieteur News- From the evidence, the PPP/C Government is driving itself against a wall with the movements of Team Mohamed. In Essequibo, reports are that the ruling party supporters created a ruckus when Team Mohamed turned up in response to an invitation from residents. In Berbice, there was a repeat performance, with fingers again firmly pointed at the government and its people, which videotape evidence confirms. We are trying to determine what is it about Team Mohamed that generates so much uneasiness in the PPP/C Government. Other fair, reasonable questions are why is the government so skittish, like a frighten kitten, what makes it so nervous? The mere presence of Team Mohamed in a traditional PPP stronghold is enough to drive the government and its supporters into a state of hysteria.

We do not think that anyone in the upper echelons of the PPP/C Government has forgotten that Article 148 of the Constitution of Guyana provides for freedom of movement. Using that as basis, Team Mohamed has the right, the freedom, to go to whichever community in Guyana it is interested to meet and greet Guyanese. As long as the purpose does not conflict with any law, or the group itself does not create a disturbance, then what has happened in Essequibo and Berbice has no place, no justification. To this point, the Team Mohamed leader has not announced that he is entering the political fray, which makes the reaction of the government all the more baffling. We think that the PPP/C Government could be guilty of overreaction, and clearly engaged in what looks like overkill. By its own actions, the ruling party is adding an air of substance and legitimacy to Team Mohamed. More Guyanese will be curious to know what all the frenzies are about, and examine for themselves what Team Mohamed is all about. This may not be in the best interests of the PPP itself.

If, for the sake of discussion, this group that is generating such attention at the village level, and media coverage is about a political party and elections competitor in the making, then the government again has a roadblock in front of it. It is Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution, which has provisions for freedom of assembly and association. Twist it or turn it, the evidence of rank intimidations and attempts at disruption of Team Mohamed’s is a far cry from government’s claim of respect for the Constitution and democracy’s standards practised consistently. Sitting governments do not have their supporters carrying on like out-of-control mobs. For example, no government should descend to the level of using mobs to disturb peaceful gatherings and induce fear in law-abiding citizens, whether they are interested villagers, or visiting outsiders.

There are two additional issues coming out of the ugliness directed at Team Mohamed. The government has been a wall of silence, as though its temporary dumbness will make what its people did fade from consciousness. Or, succeed in distancing itself from the unacceptable development on the Essequibo Coast and deep in the heart of Berbice. Whether the government’s silence is deliberate or accidental, the result is more hard questions that deserve answers. What earthly reason could there be that the Irfaan Ali Government is so fearful of Team Mohamed specifically, and law-abiding citizens in general? A government that has done the business of the people in an honest way does not have to fear anybody. All contenders that want to challenge it are free to do so, as long as they operate within lawful boundaries. In a similar way, residents should have the freedom to make up their own minds about who they want to welcome in their communities, or turn their backs against. This has little to do with politics and elections, and everything to do with the basic rights of citizens, as enshrined in the Guyana Constitution.

We at this paper are baffled that the PPP/C Government would seemingly go to these lengths to thwart legitimate interactions. The fact that the Guyana Police Force has shown scant desire to get to who is behind the disruptions only makes the government look worse. The PPP/C Government, which was in an unhealthy place, now looks more deformed.

(Invitation and disruption)

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Berbice, Editorial, Elections, Essequibo, PPP/C Government, Team Mohamed

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Invitation and disruption

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