By Javone Vickerie | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has called on Guyanese to honor the legacy of their African ancestors by standing peacefully for truth, justice, and systemic accountability, particularly in the aftermath of the M.V. Barima maritime tragedy.
Delivering his Emancipation Day message to the nation, Mohamed paid tribute to the extraordinary courage of enslaved Africans who survived centuries of unimaginable suffering, while linking their historical fight for freedom to the ongoing public demand for transparency from state institutions.
Honoring Forbes Burnham and Ancestral Legacy
Reflecting on the historical contributions of African Guyanese, the Opposition Leader highlighted the enduring influence of former President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, describing him as one of Guyana’s most consequential national leaders:
- Inspirational Leadership: Mohamed noted that Burnham’s vision helped shape modern Guyana and inspired generations to believe that the nation’s destiny must be determined by its own citizens.
- Service Beyond Self: He emphasized that true political leadership should always be guided by a national vision greater than individual or partisan interests.
“His life reminds us that leadership should always be guided by a vision greater than oneself,” Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed stated during his address.
[ EMANCIPATION CHARGE & INSTITUTIONAL TRUST ]
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[ M.V. Barima Demands ] [ Public Servants' Duty ]
- Immediate physical salvage of sunken vessel - Uphold statutory law over political directives
- Examination of primary evidence & passenger manifests - Report unsafe practices & institutional failures
- Scrutiny extended beyond junior operational ranks - Protect public confidence & equal administration of justice
M.V. Barima Tragedy Hangs Over Emancipation Observances
Mohamed observed that this year’s Emancipation celebrations are taking place under a heavy cloud of national mourning following the capsizing of the M.V. Barima, which claimed over 70 lives with dozens still unaccounted for:
“Their pain is our nation’s pain,” Mohamed remarked, addressing grieving families. “People want to know whether the whole truth is being told… whether everyone whose actions, decisions, or failures contributed to this tragedy is being investigated, or whether those with the least power are being blamed while those with the greatest responsibility escape scrutiny.”
Demonstrations Mirror the Spirit of Freedom Fighters
Connecting ongoing peaceful picketing, vigils, and calls for the physical salvage of the sunken ferry to historical resistance, Mohamed stated that public activism reflects the unyielding spirit of African ancestors:
“We have seen peaceful picketing, peaceful protests, and calls for the M.V. Barima to be raised from the ocean floor so that all the evidence can be examined,” Mohamed stated. “That is the spirit of the freedom fighters who crossed the very same Atlantic Ocean in shackles but refused to accept injustice.”
The Opposition Leader concluded by urging public servants to uphold the law and protect citizens, warning that Guyana cannot move forward if citizens lose confidence in the fairness and integrity of its core institutions.
