Dear Editor,
Are we expecting a coup d’état? Since the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration took power in May 2015, there have been a number of questionable decisions made which could have been justified as coincidence and maybe, incompetence but now, a sinister plan is clear by the unilateral appointment of this Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman by President David Granger.
Further, the construction of the high fence around the compound of the Ministry of the Presidency has made me realise that something sinister is afoot. The dismissals and displacement of professional civil servants, forced retirement of elder statesmen (former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard who was asked to step down as Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Prem Persaud who was asked to resign from the Public Utilities Commission and the Judicial Service Commission due to their ages et al), the harassment of Public Sector employees and the instalment of elder, retired military officers have shown a ‘modus operandi’ of changing this civilian Government into a military government camouflaged and protected under the Constitution of Guyana.
Unfortunately, monies owed by this Government to persons like the undersigned is not being paid even though judgements have been made in court. At one point, the President had communicated to me that the Finance Minister would make contact to deal with a particular matter expeditiously and despite several months of patiently waiting, no response has been forthcoming. I am of the opinion that certain actions have been taken to target me and my company. However, this may very well be a good thing, as it is opening up my heart to serve my country in another dimension as an independent person. Currently if we examine the CEOs/REOs/Chairmans/Permanent Secretaries who were/are appointed, we will find an excessive lump of retired military and paramilitary men (with allegiance to a political party) being pushed into these bastions.
This is evident because of the manner in which these persons have been ushered into powerful positions across the length and breadth of this country. Is this a coup d’état? A particular gentleman who was next in line to be the Chief-of-Staff of the Army was transferred very carefully into another department to overlook “special events” of the Government. Another dubious move which should be critically examined to my opinion.
Personally, I have no problem with who governs this country. I am not a political maverick or a political maniac. I just love Guyana, and I wish to remain a professional.
As a Guyanese, I feel very hurt that the President unilaterally appointed this ‘retired, very very tired gentleman’. Judging from our past elections and the anticipated election in 2020, the GECOM Chairman requires and will require a powerful personality, an administrator who can function with decisiveness, fairness and precision. It is known that Justice Patterson would have had previous political loyalties and he serves as an advisor to the Attorney General Basil Williams who works directly for the President. There has been no mention of his resignation from this position at this juncture. This has caused many to consider the future of free and fair elections in our fragile democracy.
From this appointment, it is clear that Justice Patterson will not be able to effectively do the job. In my view, he is expected to be a figurehead. Strangely, every detail surrounding GECOM and its business has been methodically controlled; from security services to staff and employees. It is as though we have managerial control freaks in our country’s system. It appears as though GECOM will be run by a very strong man that people fear at the Ministry of the Presidency… a kind of war lord. It is unbelievable and unimaginable that a man who shed bitter tears as he received news of his election victory would now cause the nation to shed tears for giving him the mandate to serve.
I have personally travelled from one end of the country to the other in recent months on the coastal plain. I have met business syndicates/representatives and had discussions, I’ve reached out to ordinary citizens, cane cutters, peasant rice farmers, fishermen, taxi and minibus drivers, contractors and builders and the message is always one of gloom, pain and degradation. They are seemingly calling for a new entity without political ambition and self-seeking adventures to sacrifice themselves for a mere seat or two in Parliament to become the watchdog/controller for the people… the People’s Avenger. Any Government who should behave with excessive greed, corruption, deceit and disrespect can be brought to their knees and voted out of power in conjunction with the Opposition of the day. The people are tired of political henchmen, political cuss birds, political self-seekers, political profiteers and power-loving ‘Tasmanian devils’. Eating and destroying everything for self-gain. From all the points highlighted above and so much more that space will not allow, I hereby submit to the nation that we have had a non-violent coup d’état.
Yours sincerely,
Hajji Roshan Khan Snr
