The opposition AFC and GAP are making a number of demands on President Bharrat Jagdeo and the government, including a statement from the President by Friday on a new security plan for the country.
Calling on all Guyanese in a full-page advertisement in the February 3, 2008 edition of the Kaieteur News to support their demands, the two parties also demanded that the government formally request international assistance from the United Kingdom, United States, CARICOM and Brazil to arrest the decline into anarchy.
They are also demanding that the government facilitate the convening of a national conference of stakeholders on governance and the transformation of the state by March 1, 2008.
Calling on all Guyanese to support the demands to force the changes in the system of governance and the organisation of the state, or for the government to resign, the advertisement said that now is the time for peace, justice, reconciliation and healing.
Rejecting and renouncing violence in all its forms, they are demanding that the security forces act professionally and with respect for the laws, the country’s constitution and international conventions governing the use of military force in civilian environments as they seek to restore order and the respect for the rule of law. They stated that the government is bankrupt of ideas and could no longer fool the people that they are in control, that they are the provider and protector of all the people and that all is well in Guyana.
Questioning how many more must die before the PPP/C government admits that they have failed the nation and cannot effectively govern Guyana for all Guyanese, they said it is now established beyond doubt that their policies and programmes have led to the deaths of hundreds of innocent people; the alienation and abandonment of individuals, groups and communities; the breakdown of the rule of law and the display of barbaric acts; increasing crime and corruption; ethnic insecurity and discrimination; unpopular taxes and economic hardship; and unwanted features of a failed state and illegitimate governance.
They said that all Guyanese are hurting and the cries of the people cannot be silenced by arrest, detention and torture, or from tear smoke and more bullets.
They said that all the 750,000 resident Guyanese are victims of a failed system that allows a government to be unresponsive to the hurt, the pain, and the anguish of the people who now require a government by the people, and for the people.
Contending that change and transformation require a united effort of all stakeholders both in and out of Guyana they said they are ready to be a part of this process.
