President Irfaan Ali has hailed the Joint Services for their posture before, during and after the just concluded General and Regional Elections.
Addressing Senior Officers of the Joint Services at a post-elections security review this afternoon, the President said Ranks must be honoured for ensuring that there were no disruptions or threats during the election cycle in the 10 Regions,
He said the work done on the Election Day was not just for that day, but also showcased a demonstration to the world that Guyana is a matured and stable democracy.
The President said the nation should be grateful for the services rendered by the men and women in uniform.
“On Elections Day, you stood watch, in the days after when tensions could have easily tipped into disorder, you held the line, calm, silent but decisive in your actions and this of course allow the people’s will be expressed without disruption. For this we thank you, for this we honour you and for this history will remember you,” the President said.
Noting that election period could be challenging, President Ali said Guyana has passed the test over the last few weeks, because of the work of the Joint Services.
Prior to the elections, the Joint Services launched “Operation Plexus”, which was a co-ordinated security effort to ensure peace was maintained during the country’s elections.
The President told the officers that the peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections was not by accident or circumstance, but was a direct result of planning, vigilance, discipline as well as the effort of the Joint Services and the Guyana Elections Commission.
“When our elections are peaceful, when our democracy is secured, our case for sovereignty id strengthened. The stronger our peace, the firmer our borders, the deeper our unity, the higher our defence. Stability at home ensures that our joint services can focuses their energy on the twin task of security and sovereignty,” the President noted.
Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, said ranks were able to work well in co-ordinating their security posture and is hoping for future collaboration.
“In my 33 years of service, this election would have been one of the best conducted in terms of creating the security environment for our national and regional elections and I applaud the service and professionalism of our officers and ranks across the joint services,” Brigadier Khan stated.
The Chief of Defence Staff also noted the shooting in the Cuyuni River on the eve of elections reportedly by Venezuelan gangs.
He said the attack on ranks and GECOM officials, cannot be seen as an ordinary attack, but was a direct threat to the country’s democracy.
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