Pres. Ali calls for peace, says looters will be prosecuted

Apr 29, 2025 News

Kaieteur News- President Irfaan Ali on Monday evening called on the nation to remain calm following reports of persons looting, blocking roadways and igniting fires in communities across several regions.

The chaos broke out following the results of the post mortem examination (PME) carried out on the body of 11-year-old Adriana Younge on Monday at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s mortuary. The chaos erupted across a number of regions after persons were not pleased with the concluded results. It was disclosed by President Irfaan Ali that after receiving the medical report, Adriana died as a result of drowning.

Pres. Ali calls for peace, says looters will be prosecuted

President Irfaan Ali addressing the nation during a press conference at State House on Monday night.

Speaking during a news conference at State House, the President said, “I want to call upon all Guyanese to respect the rule of law, I want to call on all Guyanese to avoid action that would put you in breach of the law, the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, the burning of people’s vehicles, inconveniencing others is not what we want to demonstrate as a people and as a nation.”

The President continued, “Let me be very clear that we respect and I would even go as far as to say that we will protect every citizen’s right and matter of fact a right and a responsibility to peacefully demonstrate and that is what democracy is about. Peacefully demonstrate and air your concerns but in those rights and responsibilities, if persons breach the law there must be consequences and there will be consequences.”

Persons found participating in those illegalities; the President urged them to “stop now” and noted that all the photos and videos that are emerging will be used for prosecution.

Meanwhile, during his press conference the President announced that following the series of events surrounding the death of Younge he intends to engage regional and international partners to look at the country’s existing laws, regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). “It is very clear to me as President that the events surrounding this entire sad situation are definitely a point of examination and re-examination of a number of things. First of all, and I intend to bring in international and regional help to look at our existing laws, regulations and SOPs in relation to policing work in relation to laws governing missing persons. And when I say laws, I’m not only speaking about laws covering the police and police operation, SOPs covering the police and police operation, or only relating this to the police,” he said.

The Head-of-State further stated that “we also have to look at laws, SOPs, rules, regulations covering public places in relation to security arrangements in relation to security cameras, in relation to in cases of public pools, safety, all of these things, the laws, regulations and rules, SOPs surrounding all of these things need immediate review, with an objective of upgrading and implementing modern standards, as our country continues to grow.”

He said that this will be an immediate task, where they will be putting together a team with international experience to have this completed in a thorough manner, and in a manner that would bring the systems up to date with what is required for public safety, security and in ensuring that our families and those who are using public places and public facilities are safe and the environment itself is safe.

The President also briefed that they would be looking at in terms of the work of the Guyana Police Force, and in the way in which the police conducted themselves from the time the report was made.

Notably, he revealed that they intend to examine, the police, public communication and media engagement strategy. He said that, “I must say that it is very critical that timely, reliable, factual information shape the narrative and I think this is something we have to look at deeply and ensure that our system is geared towards delivering justice.”

The President also reiterated that the government will continue to support the young girls’ family and that there will be a review of the events from the time the report was made to the time her body was found.

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