Dear Editor,
Since 2018 under the APNU+AFC coalition to now, Guyana has been downgraded from the status of an “electoral democracy” that is descending towards ‘autocratization’ (authoritarian rule under a strong man) based on a new report released by the Gothenburg-based V-Dem Institute that tracks democratic freedoms worldwide. Democracy is sliding in Guyana. The report, released this week, is for the year 2023. The country is sliding towards ‘autocratization’, a major cause for concern, and it is hoped that the ABCE countries will take note and take measures to protect democracy in Guyana. People are fearful of speaking out against abuses.
Elections are due next year and already the President and Vice President, at a memorial service for PPP founder Cheddi Jagan, last Sunday, threatened anyone thinking of forming a political party. The PPP is fearful that its base will be split as there is growing disenchantment among its supporters. Only a small percentage of the population has been enjoying the newly found oil wealth. Close friends, family members, and those with the right religious connections are the main beneficiaries of contracts in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Guyana has declined on multiple metrics, trending as an autocratizer, according to the ‘Democracy Report 2024’ that measured democracy for the year 2023. Guyana is at the bottom 50% of countries on the democratic score. It is categorized among regimes that are known for autocracy and harassment of independent journalists and civic groups that speak out against repression. Anyone who dares to critique the government is attacked. Paid trolls and propagandists go after them as do the President and VP.
The V-Dem report categorises countries into four regime types based on their score in the Liberal Democratic Index (LDI) and colour codes each: Liberal Democracy, Electoral Democracy, Electoral Autocracy, and Closed Autocracy. The annual report maps each country on a matrix of whether each is turning more democratic (‘democratising’) or more autocratic (‘autocratising’). Democratisation is taking place only in 18 countries of 180 countries rated; Guyana is not among them. The US, Canada, UK, and the developed western countries are among them. Guyana is shaded between grey and orange, meaning an electoral democracy but with elements of autocracy.
Democracy is getting worse in dozens of countries including in Guyana where freedom of expression and of association/civil society are worst affected. Democracy is on the decline in Guyana. Efforts are needed to stop the downward trend towards autocratization and measures taken for a reversal towards increasing democratization.
Sincerely,
Edward Burrowes