There’s no question about it: everyone had been holding their breath for the announced funeral of young Adrianna – who by this time doesn’t need the “11-year-old girl who had drowned” tag – that was to be held yesterday which was a public holiday, Indian Arrival Day. Now on the morning of the event came the announcement by the mother– without offering an explanation – that the funeral was postponed. So what the heck’s going on?? As you, Dear Readers, would know, from the moment that unfortunate child died your Eyewitness was distraught about the circumstances. And he demanded a professional autopsy to determine the cause of death and an investigation by international experts to determine the exact circumstances of her death.
Because of the emotions aroused and the inevitability in Guyana that everything would be politicised, the family had insisted that the funeral would be held even though their lawyer, a well-known Opposition operative, announced that he was arranging for a FOURTH autopsy be conducted. The said funeral was predicted by one Opposition Leader to be a flash point for violent protests – obviously by the Opposition elements who’d mobilized the so-called “Scrapeheads” to loot, burn and attack civilians in earlier protests. Indian Arrival Day is usually celebrated by massive countrywide events – but the ones in Demerara were postponed or cancelled for fear of them coming under attack by the “Scrapeheads”.
So what lies ahead on this issue of Adrianna’s drowning as was confirmed by the three pathologists?? Most observers have called for outside investigators to preclude any cover-up by our very tainted GPF. But in light of the refusal of the family – through their lawyer and now by their postponement of the funeral – signalling they’re now doubting the autopsy result that their own chosen pathologist from Delaware – and their local doctor – agreed with, how can we be sure that the conclusions of any international investigative team would be accepted?? It would seem that the family is so convinced that Adrianna was murdered they will not accept any answer that doesn’t confirm their stance – even though experts might pronounce otherwise. The Opposition has already been stirring the pot that the Government was involved in some sort of cover-up.
So, in considering yesterday’s announcement, your Eyewitness wonders whether the funeral was postponed to facilitate that 4th autopsy or to defuse the planned riots and violence?? But whatever it is, Guyana will remain on tenterhooks – waiting to exhale! Not unreasonably, they fear the Opposition will now use the extra time to plan greater mayhem.
In your Eyewitness’s opinion, the Government cannot be held to ransom, but should invite a foreign investigative team to bring this matter to a conclusion. Let the chips fall where they may!!
…for Africa’s rise
One of the perennial questions on our agenda has been the question, “Whither Africa”. It’s from that continent some of its citizens were enslaved by Europeans to provide the (free labour) that established our country. There remains the ties that bind!! But even more than us, Africa has remained enmeshed in the colonial web that perpetuated their backwardness – even though their own Nkrumah had identified the danger of “Neocolonialism” as far back as the 1960s!!
There have been many who attempted to free Africa, but all have failed. Today there’s a new leader we should watch – Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso. He came to power in September 2022, in a military coup that deposed then interim President Damiba – who’d himself gained office in a coup just eight months earlier! Since then, Traoré has positioned himself as a revolutionary figure using anti-colonial and Pan-Africanist language and won wide Pan African support.
He’s already asserted control over their gold and tilted towards Russia away from France. Hope??
…on Opposition
Now that Adrianna’s funeral’s been postponed, your Eyewitness wonders whether the motley Opposition wannabee leaders gonna invite Norton to help stir their witches’ brew!! “Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air!”
