PNCR rails against Toshaos denying Azruddin Mohamed’s entry to Amerindian villages

Last Updated on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 18:01 by Writer

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Wednesday accused the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of instructing Toshaos to bar persons from visiting Indigenous People’s communities, after several Rupununi village leaders collectively told Azruddin Mohamed’s team that he could not visit them because of his integrity.

“These Toshaos are clearly under pressure to sign on to PPP dictated positions coming out of Freedom House. These actions are unconstitutional, unlawful, and vindictive,” the PNCR said.

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mr Mohamed, on his Team Mohamed’s Facebook page, told Toshaos countrywide, “I see you. I feel for you. Many of you are being forced to lie and go against your conscience just to satisfy the demands of a dictatorship that thrives on control and fear. Remember that you were elected by the people in your respective communities, and you are expected to represent them,” he said.

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) cited the fact that Mr Mohamed was in June 2024 sanctioned by the United States (US) for evading more than US$50 million in taxes on the export of more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold.

He was also cited by the local leaders as having been accused by the Guyana Revenue Authority of not paying nearly GY$900 million in duties on several “high-end” vehicles.

“Therefore, acting in the best interest of our villages and based on precaution, permission to enter village lands is hereby denied,” they told Mr Charles Sugrim, a representative of Team Mohamed in what they said was their “final” decision on that matter.

That letter, dated May 10, 2025, came three days after the NTC said persons could only legally enter Amerindian communities with permission from the Village Council.

The NTC also referred to an unnamed person.

“The NTC also takes this opportunity to express its grave concern regarding the continued violation of the Amerindian Act by a particular individual, who repeatedly enters Amerindian communities under the pretence of being invited by residents, yet continues to disregard the law and shows no remorse despite being publicly called out. This behaviour is unacceptable and undermines the principles of respect, accountability, and lawful engagement,” the Council said in a statement.

The PNCR said the decision by the Toshaos of North Rupununi and the Neighbourhood Council of Aranaputa/Upper Buru Buru to deny persons from visiting Amerindian Villages in that area amounted to PPP manipulation and domination of some Village leaders.

“Our own party executives and activists have encountered such situations in the recent past,” the PNCR said. That party said the Toshao of Annai has since reversed his decision due to “widespread pressure” from villagers and Indigenous rights activists.

PNCR politician, Mervyn Williams noted that Aranaputa is a Neighbourhood Council rather than an Amerindian village and so it is not governed by the Amerindian Act especially concerning access and visits.

He said there was no evidence that the Village Councils considered, discussed, and decided on this matter. He said a Village Council has to refer contentious matters such as that one to a Village General Meeting, “the highest decision making forum of the village.”

Mr Williams also said a Village Council has no authority to determine the innocence or guilt of any person, except a domestic village matter for which gazetted village rules apply, particularly where a person is not charged with any offence by Guyanese law enforcement authorities.

He said a Village Council has no right to deny entry to a person for “criminal allegations” not before the court.

“The grounds for denial of entry are prejudicial and unfounded” and “on the face of it, there appears to be some constitutional breaches here.”

But the NTC reminded residents of Villages that while they have a constitutional right to associate with and invite individuals or organizations into their communities, this right must be exercised responsibly.