Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar mingles with some of the Army’s top brass ahead of the working sessions of the Officers’ Conference that opens yesterday. At left is Army Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips. (Vishwanauth Narine photo)
Armed Forces placed on ‘High Alert’ for May 11 Elections …as Commander-in-Chief orders action against any security threats.
COMMANDER-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Donald Ramotar, has placed the rank and file of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on high alert, in anticipation of the May 11 General and Regional Elections.President Ramotar delivered the charge to the top brass of the Guyana Defence Force yesterday as they congregated at the Officers’ Complex at Base Camp Ayangana for their Annual Conference.
OFFICIAL PHOTO: Commander-in-Chief, Donald Ramotar and Army Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips with the top brass of the Army, yesterday.
FORCES OF REACTION
Emphasising the importance of, and challenges accompanying an election, the President in his address to the ranks, surmised that as “we approach elections, my fervent hope is that the climate is one of peace (and where) good sense will prevail, even as contesting political parties and their supporters, as is their democratic right, vigorously conduct their campaign.”
Speaking also in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President was stern in his edict and warned that in such an election climate, “forces of reaction and fragmentation must not be allowed to fester in our society.”
“Any attempt to create a feeling of insecurity and fear among our citizens or in any segment of our population, based on rumour, subjective gutter politics or worse, must be publicly frowned upon and action taken by the security forces to arrest any such tendency.” – President Ramotar
The President used the opportunity to remind the army’s ranks that voting is their democratic right enshrined in law and early voting will afford them the opportunity to cast their ballot for a leader of their choice.
Early voting is meant to ensure that the ranks of the Armed Forces are able to stand guard on May 11, when the rest of the electorate take to the polls.
Having emphasised the need for the Armed Forces to play its part in any event that may require their input in the maintenance of law and order, President Ramotar directed: “Any attempt to create a feeling of insecurity and fear among our citizens or in any segment of our population, based on rumour, subjective gutter politics or worse, must be publicly frowned upon and action taken by the security forces to arrest any such tendency.”
This, he said, must be done through the application of the “full weight of the law and our Constitution,” against those culpable.
ELECTIONS DIVISIVE
Reminding the chieftains of the armed forces of their role when it comes to the nation and its security, the Commander-in-Chief reminded too that an election can be divisive in a multi-ethnic society, since ethnic insecurities can be aroused.
Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar being greeted by his Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips, at the Army’s Camp Ayanganna headquarters yesterday. (Vishwanauth Narine photos)
As such, the Commander-in-Chief charged his subordinates to conduct themselves in a manner becoming of a GDF rank.
“You will do your duty with the highest level of professionalism,” President Ramotar charged.
He cautioned that the GDF is a professional and non-partisan entity and while the Officers and ranks of the Force participate in the democratic process through voting, “you are not allowed to participate in acts of political propaganda or militancy.”
The President, in his exhortation, also called on the ranks to seek to inspire confidence in the citizenry.
“Demonstrate to Guyanese and the world, that while as individuals in uniform, you exercise your democratic right to vote as members of the GDF. As an institution, you will carry out your professional responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and respect the legitimate outcome of the electoral process.”
NO LESS
The President, who addressed the ranks for the fourth time as Commander-in-Chief and mere days before the General and Regional Election said, “I as Commander-in-Chief expect that your leadership will be exemplary and your image as a national army will be unsullied…you have sworn an oath to carry out your duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will and in the execution of those duties, honour and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Guyana, I expect no less of the officers and ranks of the GDF.”
JUBILEEE STAMP
The GDF’s Annual Officer Conference this year is being held under the theme: ‘Towards Greater Operational Readiness For National Defence and Security’ and also marks the GDF’s Jubilee (50th) Anniversary.
President Ramotar was welcomed to the venue for the Officer Conference by Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips who also accompanied him for the Ceremonial Salute before addressing the Army’s top brass.
President Donald Ramotar and Brigadier Mark Phillips viewing a depiction of the GDF’s 50th Anniversary Calendar
Commander-in-Chief, Donald Ramotar and Army Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips taking the ceremonial salute
Brigadier Phillips, in his remarks, firstly assured the Commander-in-Chief that the 2015 Conference will be guided by the theme (Towards Greater Operational Readiness For National Defence and Security). The army’s top ranking military officer also reminded that the GDF is committed to safeguarding democracy in Guyana.
Addressing the Commander-in-Chief, Brigadier Phillips proclaimed that: “As military officers, Your Excellency, we subject ourselves to the rule of law…we look forward to your continued support and guidance as we work with your government and other stakeholders to achieve greater operational readiness for national defence and security in Guyana.”
The 50 year anniversary of the GDF was also marked with the unveiling of a special Postal Stamp and Calendar.
(By Gary Eleazar)
