“Do not mistake our peace for weakness; behind our diplomacy stands a disciplined Force” – Pres. Ali

Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Saturday reaffirmed that “Guyana’s sovereignty is not for sale,” as he urged members of the Joint Services to remain steadfast against “hungry eyes” seeking to claim the nation’s wealth and patrimony.

He made the remarks at the salute for the 60th Independence anniversary for the Joint Service Route March, a tribute to six decades of sovereignty since the Golden Arrowhead was first raised on May 26, 1966.

Quoting from the Song of the Republic, President Ali reminded that the country’s children “pledge each faithful hour to guard Guyana’s lands. To foil the shock of rude invaders who’d violate her earth. To cherish and defend forever the state that gave them birth.”

Against this backdrop, the President boldly declared that “independence without protection is a door with no lock. Our sovereignty, our territorial integrity, our internal peace – none of these are guaranteed by history. They are guaranteed by you, the men and women of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service, the Guyana Fire Service, our National Intelligence Agency, CANU, and all the other supporting services that help to keep our country safe.”

“You are the first line in the sand. This is why I ask you, first, to continue to safeguard our borders, from the Corentyne to the Essequibo, from our jungles to our waters. Guyana is a nation rich in land, rivers and immense resources. And where there is wealth, there is always a hungry eye,” he cautioned.

Guyana’s Essequibo region – which represents about two-thirds of the country’s landmass – continues to face territorial threats from Venezuela, even while the border controversy remains before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is expected to issue a final and binding ruling on the boundary controversy between the two countries. In fact, during the week of oral hearings in the case before the World Court, some of Guyana’s servicemen came under attack while conducting operations along the country’s western border.

Moreover, Venezuela insists that it will not accept the World Court’s decision, a position Guyana has argued would constitute a serious breach of international law. Some American lawmakers and officials have since criticised Venezuela’s stance, while United States (US) Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg has indicated that quiet diplomatic engagement could help ease tensions.

President Ali reminded that Guyana’s territorial integrity has been threatened before but declared that “it will never be threatened again.”

“Not only with words but with the threat of incursions and pressures dressed in diplomacy. This is why vigilance must be our eternal shield,” he affirmed.

The Commander in Chief further used the occasion to recognise all those who stand in defence of Guyana’s sovereignty, including diplomats and international jurists.

“Who also stand in defence are the soldiers patrolling our rivers, the Coast Guard watching the horizon, the Air Corps scouring our skies. They are the reason our map is not negotiable. Every time they hold ground, they say, ‘This land belongs to no other flag…’ This is not just defence. This is a daily rebirth of independence. Therefore, let the message travel far and wide: Guyana’s sovereignty is not for sale and not to be taken. And our Joint Services have the mission of ensuring that remains true.”

The Guyanese leader also delivered a message to the country’s adversaries, cautioning, “Do not mistake our peace for weakness; do not mistake any aspect of our national life for a lack of strength. Behind our diplomacy stands a disciplined force. And behind that force stands a people who will not barter their birth-right. Sixty years ago, we said, ‘We are free.’ Today, we say we are free, and we are defended.”

Free from fear within

Meanwhile, President Ali also urged members of the Joint Services to look inward, noting that “independence also means freedom from fear within”.

“Gangs, drug trafficking, domestic violence, organised crime, arson, prison unrest. These are the termites that hollow out a nation from within. When a Police patrol overlooks our neighbourhoods for threats at night or day, our independence is kept alive. When a firefighter rushes to a burning building, that is an act of defending property. When prison officers hold a line against chaos, that is a protection of our system of justice. And what is independence if not the sum of all these things? A nation’s property. A nation’s justice. A nation’s right to order. Internal order is the soil where freedom grows. You, the Joint Services, are not just enforcers. You are guardians of our mothers’ right to sleep in peace,” he emphasised. In this regard, President Ali called on citizens to wholeheartedly lend their support to the Joint Services.

“Because not supporting our Joint Services sends an adverse signal. When potential adversaries look at Guyana, they calculate; they ask themselves, ‘Does Guyana enjoy unity? Do they value their protectors?’ Never let our adversaries see division and disunity. Because a divided house does not need to be invaded; it simply crumbles. To disrespect or to disregard our Joint Services is to send the world one message: ‘Guyana does not take its own freedom seriously.’ And that message is more dangerous than any bullet”, Dr Ali cautioned.

The Guyanese leader also used the opportunity to reiterate his gratitude to members of the Joint Services for their tireless work and endless sacrifices.

“To the soldier who missed his or her child’s birthday to guard a border post. To the Police officer who walked towards danger while others ran away. To the firefighter who breathed smoke so a family could breathe air. To the prison officer who works the longest, quietest, most thankless shift. To you, I say, you kept the promise of 1966 alive. You have made sure that independence is not symbolic, but a lived reality. Every morning, our flag rises; it rises because of you. As we approach the 60th anniversary of our independence, Guyana stands taller because of you. Our economy grows faster and stronger because of the security you provide; our voice in the world is strengthened because you stand guard,” President Ali expressed.

“But none of this is permanent. Vigilance is the price of liberty. And so today, I accept not only your salute; I salute you not only in respect, but I also make a call to every Guyanese…I ask you to support our Joint Services with respect and recognition. And when they make mistakes, hold them accountable. But never, never abandon them.”