I stand firmly and unapologetically with Justice Yonette Cumming

Oct 27, 2025 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kindly permit space in your publication to add my voice to the growing outrage over the disrespect and disregard shown to Justice Yonette Cummings, CCH, SC, who has served the Judiciary of Guyana with distinction and an exemplary record of professionalism for some thirty-seven (37) years.

From the moment Justices Cummings and George were appointed to act in the positions of Chancellor and Chief Justice respectively, the then Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, refused to lend his support for their substantive appointments, as required under Article 127(1) of the Constitution of Guyana. This posture continued into the tenure of the Ali Administration. Despite numerous public pleas, calls by the Opposition, statements by Members of Parliament during the Twelfth Parliament, and even protest actions, the government persistently ignored these appeals (Kaieteur News, 2024; Stabroek News, 2023).

It is equally disappointing that admonitions from distinguished jurists—including then President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders, and more recently, his successor, Justice Winston Anderson—urging the appointment of substantive holders for the offices of Chancellor and Chief Justice, have all fallen on the deaf ears of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration (Caribbean Court of Justice, 2023).

The nation was justifiably shocked when news broke that Justice Cummings would proceed on pre-retirement leave effective Friday, October 24, 2025. The circumstances surrounding this announcement leave much to be desired, as it appears to have been executed with undue haste and deliberate intent. President Ali has insulted the nation by suggesting that upon Justice Cummings’ resumption of duty, merely hours later, she informed him of her intention to proceed on pre-retirement leave. Such an explanation is both implausible and disrespectful to the intelligence of the Guyanese people. We are not blind; we see the PPP/C for what it has become.

What is even more egregious is that mere hours after the news of her pre-retirement leave broke, Justices Roxane George, SC, and Navindra Singh were sworn in as members of the Judicial Service Commission. Then, three months later, President Ali suddenly found it necessary to write to outgoing Opposition Leader Mr. Aubrey Norton seeking agreement on the appointments of Justices Cummings and Singh to the very offices they currently occupy. Why now, Mr. Ali?

From every vantage point, it is clear that the removal of Justice Cummings from her position as Acting Chancellor was strategically and deliberately orchestrated during her period of well-earned vacation leave. Before her return to duty, courtesy and professionalism demanded that she be consulted and advised of any change in her role. Instead, she was left to face public embarrassment. Sadly, the PPP/C continues to demonstrate a troubling lack of respect when dealing with professionals, especially those of African descent (Stabroek News Editorial, 2025).

Citing the example of former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Mr. Godfrey Bess, who served in an acting capacity but was never confirmed in the position, it is noteworthy that President Ali only announced his appointment on the very day of Mr. Bess’s retirement. The contrast in treatment, therefore, is both glaring and troubling (Guyana Chronicle, 2023).

Similarly, there are other examples of how professionals were treated under PPP/C administrations, Mrs. Friedel Isaacs, former Headmistress of Queen’s College, and Mr. William Woolford, former Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), both of whom we unfairly treated. In the case of Mr. Woolford, he acted for years without being appointed to his substantive positions.

For far too long, our nation has witnessed the high-handedness of PPP/C politicians whose actions, driven by political expediency, continue to erode the very tenets of democracy and good governance.

Equally disturbing is the deafening silence of women within the PPP/C, the Women Lawyers Association, the Bar Association, and other women’s organisations. Their failure to publicly denounce the actions of President Ali and his administration is disheartening. It suggests that a climate of fear and intimidation now grips the nation, where many are hesitant to speak for fear of victimisation or discrimination.

As a fellow Guyanese, I stand firmly and unapologetically with Justice Yonette Cummings. I end by encouraging my sister in the faith with the comforting words of Psalm 23:5 (KJV):

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”

Be assured, Justice Cummings, that God will work all things out according to His divine will and perfect plan.

Yours sincerely,
Annette Ferguson

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• Caribbean Court of Justice, Chancellor, Chief Justice, Justice Yonette Cumming, Letters

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