Citizens roast Pres Ali

Apr 27, 2025 News

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…over ‘insensitive’ Facebook post on West Dem protest

Kaieteur News- Guyanese using the various social media platforms united their voices in calling out President Irfaan Ali for making an ‘insensitive’ statement on Friday regarding protests demanding justice for 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.

Protests erupted on Thursday after Younge was found dead in Double Day International Hotel’s pool at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) after police claimed that she was abducted from the hotel in a red and black Toyota Raum. Relatives claimed too that they had searched the pool and her body was not there before.

They vented their anger by storming the hotel and destroying sections before it was set on fire. Roads were blocked with burning debris and the hotel owner’s house was set on fire. President Ali met with the parents later that night and assured them that an impartial investigation will be done.

However, protests continued the following day, moving from Tuschen to the Office of the President and in front of the Leonora Police Station- the headquarters of the Region 3 police district.

This time, they were not only calling for justice but expressing their outrage at how police handled the matter, especially after the force admitted that it released “inaccurate” info about the abduction.

Protesters called for the sacking of the then District Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Khalid Mandall along with the Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken while parents and relatives of the dead child expressed their no-confidence in police conducting a proper investigation.

It is believed that public pressure led to the Force transferring Mandall out of the district but protesters remained on the Region Three roadway until late in the evening.

Not satisfied with the actions taken, some protesters gathered at Meten -Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and started blocking the public road with burning debris. Sheriff Security Firm and its owner, Ameir Ahmad, were also chased after they claimed that they were only trying to pass through.

Minutes later, President Ali made a statement on his Facebook page which was met with strong criticism from hundreds of Guyanese regardless of their political affiliation.

Ali stated, “There is no way blocking public roads, burning public infrastructure, and inconveniencing citizens will help little Adrianna’s cause or those interested in the truth. These actions are now politically instigated and will not be accepted. They are unlawful and unhelpful, and action will be taken”.

Guyanese quickly reacted in their numbers to his Facebook post, labelling it insensitive.

To make matters worse, vans of police officers clad in riot gear were deployed at protest locations along Region Three and in some cases, they used tear gas.

Videos surfaced of protesters being arrested and dragged into the police vans.

The action taken by police led Guyanese to believe that the President threatened the protesters and followed with his “take action” plan.

As a result, Guyanese did not mince their words when reprimanding the President for his post.

One Facebook user, Lerone Souvenir, shared the President’s post and added his comments.

He wrote, “With all due respect, President Irfaan Ali, that statement is not only dismissive—it’s deeply troubling given the State’s glaring failure in this entire matter”.

“The very fact that it took a protest for a government minister to show up, and for authorities to even pretend to pay attention, speaks volumes” he continued, before adding, “The Guyana Police Force utterly failed Adrianna’s family. From day one, their focus wasn’t on supporting the grieving, or pursuing justice,” he said.

Another Facebook User, Anuradha Itwaru, posted “The people hurting”.

She added, “While I do not condone the looting, to insinuate the reaction of those involved was/is politically motivated is such a stupid move. You’ve only just upset the hive again”

Alexis Ageda said, “With all due respect, Mr.  President, this is not the time and place for empty words. People are heartbroken, people are angry and rightfully so.”

Attina Baskaran wrote, “A cry for help and justice is unlawful and unhelpful? So, the Guyana Police Force is lawful and helpful? Last I checked, they admit that they lied…”

“Who advised you to put out a statement like this? Fire that person,” Adeola Matthias said.

These are only a few of hundreds.

There were a few “die hard” supporters who agreed with him but they too were roasted like the President.

His party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, supported his statement by sharing but that only led to more criticism.

Alex Seepersaud commented under the reshare, “Now!!! action supposed to be taken since the first minute…the police force corrupt they just serving purpose to bully people with lil tint and people with minor offenses…y didn’t they let the people search the hotel the first 24hr they only know to take bribe and full their pockets now it’s a next innocent life been taken.”

After a night of roasting, the President visited the parents of the Younge a second time, and protesters got some satisfaction when the police force announced that Mandall was sent on administrative leave as investigation continues. The Force also revealed that police ranks are also under close arrest in relation to the matter.

President Ali tried to explain to relatives that he “has no objections” to the protest activities but only wants them to do it peacefully. According to him, blocking the road for hours is not advised. The dead girl’s aunt, however, challenged the President that there are videos of him blocking the roads in the past.

“Mr. Ali, there are videos with you protesting. You being a scrape and a thug. Mr. Ali, sometimes we got to put our position aside and place weself into people shoes!” she declared.

Meanwhile, he advised them that their request for an independent pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination on the child is currently being reviewed.

He said, “I have said there is absolutely no issue. All of us want the truth; there is absolutely no issue with the pathologist. Your lawyer sent a letter about an hour ago to Mr. McBean so the request in that letter is being reviewed now by the competent authorities and they will communicate with the lawyer on that.”

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