Security. Every Guyanese wants it. Can the government provide it? I have my doubts. Circumstances reinforce this position.
Security is not about how much the government does during and after a riotous flareup. It is what the government does during those times, and before a flareup drives fear into law-abiding citizens. Fear that sends them fleeing down the street, jumping into minibuses or speedboats, and hustling for any safety. Fear that hastily brings down shutters, bolts doors, accelerate vehicles away swiftly. When such pandemonium, then what security? Where is the security blanket, preemptive, on ready standby? When a government responsible for the safety of all citizens doesn’t have ready mobilization and rapid deployment at its fingertips, then damage will be done to people and property. In effect, security is a mirage, a government IOU that the PPP Government is incapable of honoring. The human toll and business losses condemn the government, which doesn’t seem to have answers, what work, what inspires trust, whenever street and road challenges arise.
There was the lengthy span from the moment of Adriana Younge’s abduction, to frustrated responses, to lines drawn, to thickening crowds, and yet Monday, April 28 exploded, seemingly caught the government off guard, or wanting to a severe degree. It boggles the mind that with several clear and powerful indicators, the government and the Guyana Police Force were found flatfooted, several steps too slow. The comforting security apparel that was most urgently needed was MIA. This is unbelievable and unacceptable. That is, unless the PPP Government itself was a party in compromising the security of Guyanese and their valuables.
In the circumstances, I think it is a fair question to put before all Guyana: could the human and commercial fallouts been part of the collateral damage, viz., the price paid, by a calculating PPP Government for political mileage? Given that there was much damage, too much new scarring of the social fabric, no question is too direct, none that doesn’t belong. In characteristic fashion, the government points to the opposition. Well, it does have a barrel full of symbols that sells very easily. A picture is worth a thousand words and many replays. It’s the best year to do so, especially when the government has many such pictures, and in color also.
Taken all of this into consideration, the whole of the runup and blowup of Monday, April 28th reeks. It is too neat, with the parts falling into place like clockwork. There is a strong sense of something that was well-planned and well-packaged, even well-delivered to a point. I stare hard at the government, because the ruthless leadership attributes are heavily present. So, I submit the following sequence for consideration.
First, the rampaging marauders had a free hand in the early hours of what I called an orchestrated riot. Second, only after all the damage was inflicted, was the decision made to announce a curfew, bypassing a state of emergency. Brings back memories of MLK in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia. Third, why a curfew from after midnight to just before daybreak; why not from 18:00hrs to 05:00hrs? Fourth, yet few were the takers of all those nocturnal hours 18:00hrs (or earlier) and midnight, an eternity for available criminal elements. Fifth, after three days the curfew was over, a switch slowly turned on, then quickly turned off. Messages sent; objectives accomplished. A well-set timer, indeed!
Something smells. Again, was Monday 4/28, a government dry run? One where security was sacrificed, so politics can succeed? Insecurity strengthens tribal anxieties, unhealed wounds for later manipulation. Is this the now standing price of security (of fear, of victory) in this country?