The
creation of a democratic state has been a slow process in post-independent Guyana. With 28 years of rigged elections, a Police State and the repression of civil and human rights, the subjugation of Guyanese in 1966 merely transitioned from colonial grips to a dictatorship.
Nearly three decades of PNC dictatorial rule and a metamorphosing global landscape are vital to understanding the current state of Guyana’s human development, stunted by limited resources, brain drain, an underdeveloped industry, unemployment and ethnic politics. The reticence to abide by democratic principles and to strengthen democracy in national institutions is also a non-negligible factor in assessing the negative impact that governments have had on our development. Yet, democracy is key to consolidating the fissures of ethno-political differences among Guyanese – a curse from which we are yet to emancipate ourselves – as it provides scope for social inclusiveness which in itself forms part of the greater ambition of social cohesion.
And it is exactly to a more socially cohesive society that the Coalition had ardently pledged itself in 2015, going so far as to create a subject Ministry which, unfortunately, hasn’t proven its worth. However, the actions and position of the Coalition to date diverge significantly from its initial promises. The recent parking meter fiasco for instance, speaks to the unwillingness of the Government to provide a forum for participatory democracy, much less space for a socially cohesive society. Instead, it prefers to bulldoze its way through the objections of the Guyanese people in pursuit of its anti-poor policy-making.
The lack of transparency, blatant corruption, cronyism and high-handedness surrounding Smart City Solutions and the installation of parking meters in Georgetown, smack of disregard for the democratic will of Guyanese across political creed. That no consultations were held prior to the implementation of the project is indicative of the M&CC’s complicity in selling out Georgetown deliberately at the expense of the people.
Similarly, the imposition of regional flags which have been overtly rejected by RDCs, testifies to how the Coalition bullied the people, shoving another useless policy down their throats. At a time when the economy has contracted, investments have decreased, traditional sectors are collapsing, taxes have been scandalously augmented and social welfare policies have been stripped from the people, this Government audaciously prioritises the creation of regional flags, nine of which boast the colours of the APNU/AFC. It matters not to the Communities Minister that the process of FPIC was overridden, that there were no multi-sectorial consultations, or that RDC’s reject the flags. In like manner, FPIC was not enacted when the Government designated the borders of regional townships.
But if this administration is allowed to attack democracy as it has been doing since it acquired Office, it is partly because the civil sector, the media and the activists who supported the Coalition in 2015 for a more transparent and accountable government, are now silent on matters of national concern.
The case of the Region Nine official who was recently accused of sexually abusing a member of his own party, highlights the partisanship of organisations such as Red Thread which at no point, condemned the multiple allegations emanating from victims. The organisation which has accompanied the victims in their search for justice, was barred from meeting with the Social Protection Minister. Instead, a representative of Red Thread was summoned last Wednesday to a meeting with Minister Ally, after reportedly being solicited by PNC officials in what is believed to be part of the bigger plot to contain the matter. The print media also refused to investigate the claims of the victims with the exception of one newspaper that chose to give the accused a voice.
This goes to show that the Government will continue to trespass on democracy with ease as long as those who have the responsibility to hold it accountable relent on their obligations. It will continue to bully its way as long as we the people remain complacent.
And it is this complacency that is the gangrene of a backward society. Too many are silent for fear of repression thereby giving too many the privilege to bully.
