Dear Editor,
The recent public statement on Facebook by the Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, urging Guyanese citizens to “speak up” and pressure their elected leaders in response to the EU Election Observation Mission’s report, constitutes a deeply troubling and unacceptable intrusion into Guyana’s internal political affairs. No foreign diplomat has the authority, moral standing, or diplomatic mandate to instruct the citizens of a sovereign nation on how they should relate to their government. That is not partnership. That is disrespect and blatant interference.
While Canada claims to be supporting democracy in Guyana, Guyana equally supports democratic values in Canada and across the world. But supporting democracy does not mean encouraging citizens to challenge the authority of their government at the prompting of a foreign mission. The High Commissioner’s language crosses the line between friendly advice and political agitation — a line that must never be crossed.
Let us imagine the reverse. Can anyone picture Guyana’s High Commissioner in Ottawa publicly urging Canadians to “speak up,” rise up, or “demand action” from Parliament or the Government of Canada? Would Canadians tolerate such behaviour for even one minute? Would the Canadian media or political class sit silent if a foreign diplomat took it upon himself to call Canadians to political action? Not in this lifetime.
Yet, Guyana is expected to quietly accept this violation of diplomatic norms? Our silence would set a dangerous precedent, one that erodes our independence, invites deeper interference, and positions Guyana as a passive recipient of tutelage from more powerful states. Guyana has never granted Canada nor any foreign nation the right to dictate how our people participate in national politics. This country fought too long and too hard for its sovereignty to be treated as a playground for international actors seeking to shape domestic political behaviour.
The EU has issued its report, as is its right. But it is the people of Guyana, through their elected representatives and constitutional institutions, who must determine the pace, nature, and direction of any reforms. Not Canada. Not the EU. Not any external power. For these reasons, I call on the Government of Canada to immediately recall its High Commissioner to Guyana. His remarks have undermined the neutrality and comity essential to the diplomatic mission he represents and have displayed a profound misunderstanding of the limits of his role.
Guyana is a sovereign state. Our democracy is not up for supervision by foreign officials who imagine that our political space is theirs to shape. Canada owes us the same respect we show her. Stop this bullying!