Ali’s old ties to the Mohameds still matter — GHK Lall — Opinion

Ali’s old ties to the Mohameds still matter

September 5, 2026·3 min read

Dear Editor,

I must rap Kiskadee Watch. It’s not lyrics of pathos. It’s a slight tap-a rap-on the knuckles of KW. A pointed editorial it is (“President’s address”-KW, Sept 04-26). But a major deficit lingers in its construction.^[1]

President Ali said all those things in his address on the occasion of indigenous recognition^[2]. Suddenly, everybody is a herald, a student of the Classics, a biblical sage. The clothing is what gives the president away. He said many things, covered plenty of territory. What else to expect of a man given to the hyperbolic and overwrought exuberance? I think that the KW’s editorial did justice to where President Ali went. What the editorial didn’t go near was the company that the president once kept, and kept for a long time. Since scripture was invoked by the president, then I claim the same grace. Today, when he works up a lather, is all fire and brimstone, there is this: I know not the man! The cowardly Peter in the time of the Galilean agony.

Whether it was or wasn’t one Mohamed or two of them (or more) that the president was pointing his fingers at, and hurling his version of feral blasts, it doesn’t matter. What is of relevance and significance is the relationship that existed before. A relationship that was as intimate as one could get. One that energized texts about taxes on a luxury vehicle^[3], and god knows the exact volume of so much more. So, Mohamed has his scars. They run. They reek. But he is not alone. What about those who once held him in the tightest of tight embraces? Perhaps, President Ali could be so gracious as to incorporate the answer to that question in his next show before the nation. If the man Mohamed, one or two of them, is so tainted, then some of that had to rub off on those who coddled him, protected him, empowered him. These are not small potato considerations, but matters with national implications.

I have seen very warm photos of the same President Ali engaged and engrossed in delightful sharing with the Mohamed family. The odour from those times cannot stick to Azruddin Mohamed or Nazar “Shell” Mohamed alone. So, if there is going to be the inspiration of scripture, then let this verse be recalled and let it register. He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone. Neither bluff not boast can wash that away. Neither braggadocio nor buffoonery can turn the tide, disconnect what prevailed beyond the media. What was outside the reach of law enforcement and the GRA during those good times. The president would have Guyanese believe that one and only one can tango.

This is where I think that the KW editorial faded. Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed could not have been the powers they were on their own. By themselves they had standing. But standing alone, they couldn’t have come to represent the vast powers that became second nature to them. It is not often that the arrangements for a successful no confidence motion for a party in opposition^[4] is deposited in the palm of people of no account, people without the highest level of trust and highest clearance. Thus, I say recall the protections and pictures of comradery that are not a secret now. Let those include powerful Guyanese who were glad to be their friends and partners. I would go as far as saying their accessories in whatever fields they took aim at, and then flourished.

But this is where Guyana is today: saints and sinners. Heroes and villains. President Ali would make us believe that he belongs among saints; and is the epitome of the heroic. It is why this country can’t go anywhere, beyond buildings, despite its riches. The human structures are white washed tombs. Well-painted externally. Well-rotted internally.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

References

President Ali’s choice — kaieteurnewsonline.com ↩
Pres. Ali to Amerindians: Judge us by our record - Kaieteur News — kaieteurnewsonline.com ↩
‘GRA has no power to reassess taxes in Mohamed’s luxury vehicle case’ - Judge - Kaieteur News — kaieteurnewsonline.com ↩
Azruddin Mohamed elected Opposition Leader despite APNU boycott – Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana — demerarawaves.com ↩

President’s address

kiskadeewatch.com · 2026-09-04

The extent to which the President feels under pressure was exposed on Tuesday when at the opening of Amerindian Heritage month he launched into an address which veered from biblical admonitions on the

Pres. Ali to Amerindians: Judge us by our record - Kaieteur News

kaieteurnewsonline.com · 2026-09-03

## Pres. Ali to Amerindians: Judge us by our record Sep 03, 2026 News (Kaieteur News) – President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has challenged Guyana’s Indigenous communities to judge political leadership by its record, actions and continued presence not by who speaks the loudest when trouble comes. ... Addressing the opening ceremony for Amerindian Heritage Month 2026 at the Sophia Exhibition Centre on Tuesday, the head-of-state said the development taking place across Indigenous communities reflects sustained investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, connectivity and economic empowerment. “In our ‘One Guyana’, the Amerindian community occupies a special place as our First People,” the president said, emphasising the historic and enduring contribution of Indigenous peoples to the country’s identity and development. ... test of development is not ... we are using our ... economic growth to solve them and ... the benefits of ... ,” President Ali stated ... He said the transformation demonstrates the impact of creating opportunities that allow Indigenous people to pursue careers, develop businesses and contribute directly to national development. “The investments we are making for the benefit of our Indigenous brothers and sisters is what it means to translate economic growth into development and to ensure that the Indigenous peoples of Guyana are not spectators in our country’s transformation but participants and beneficiaries of it,” President Ali said ... While acknowledging that challenges remain, Dr. Ali said development is a continuous process and that government’s focus must remain on delivering tangible improvements in communities. ... He urged citizens to look beyond temporary political narratives and examine the record of those seeking their support, particularly during times of difficulty. “Representation is not merely about who speaks the loudest when trouble knocks. Representation is about who stands beside you when the trouble is over,” President Ali said. ... As Amerindian Heritage Month 2026 is observed, the president said the country must continue building a Guyana in which Indigenous peoples occupy their rightful place at the centre of national prosperity, while preserving their culture, knowledge, traditions and identity. He closed with a call for unity, peace and collective progress, invoking Guyana’s national motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” ... The theme reflects on the rich cultural heritage and significant contributions of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples while commemorating the country’s 60th Independence anniversary. Delivering remarks also at the opening ceremony, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Brown-Shadeek said the observance provides an opportunity for Guyanese to celebrate Indigenous traditions while recognising the important role Amerindians continue to play in shaping the country’s national identity. “Cultural heritage is our identity, and we must have pride in it,” Minister Brown-Shadeek emphasised. ... She noted that Amerindian Heritage Month is not merely a period of festivities but also represents a call to action for all Guyanese to support the preservation and promotion of Indigenous culture. The minister urged citizens to participate in the various activities planned throughout September and to take the opportunity to learn more about the traditions, ancestral knowledge, and way of life of Guyana’s First Peoples. “We must continue to support and invest in the preservation of Indigenous culture and heritage,” she stated. ... Amerindian Heritage Month is celebrated annually throughout September, with activities being held across Guyana to promote greater recognition, appreciation and respect for the culture and contributions of the country’s First Peoples.

Source

Ali’s old ties to the Mohameds still matter in Kiskadee Watch, September 5, 2026

‘GRA has no power to reassess taxes in Mohamed’s luxury vehicle case’ - Judge - Kaieteur News

kaieteurnewsonline.com · 2025-11-15

‘GRA has no power to reassess taxes in Mohamed’s luxury vehicle case’ - Judge - Kaieteur News ## ‘GRA has no power to reassess taxes in Mohamed’s luxury vehicle case’ – Judge ... (Kaieteur News) – Justice Gino Persaud on Friday tossed out several bids by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to seize vehicles by prominent businessman turned politician Azruddin Mohamed, over his alleged evasion of billions in worth in import taxes. ... The judge ruled that ‘the application filed on November 5, 2025’ by GRA was ‘an abuse of the court’s process’. In that application the GRA sought to tell the court that the extradition request for Azruddin Mohamed was ‘directly relevant to the substantive judicial review proceedings. The judge however disagreed and ruled that the request was irrelevant as the judicial review proceedings filed by Mohamed was focused solely on whether or not the imposition of taxes of $421,057,712 and the demand for the surrender of the vehicles was lawful. ... Justice Persaud relied on a number of local cases which were cited by counsel for Azruddin Mohamed and ruled that the GRA had no power to embark on post-clearance assessments. He ruled that once a good was entered, cleared and the taxes paid thereon, the GRA had no legislative support or power to re-assess new taxes under the Customs Act or the Fifth Schedule made under that Act. Justice Persaud ruled that in any event, the GRA could not have any right or remedy to further taxes until or unless Azruddin Mohamed was found guilty of corresponding offences by a criminal court. ... Declaration that the respondents’ impositions of taxes on the applicant in the sums of $371,775,168, $24,641,272 and $24,641,272 in respect of the applicant’s one 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster PZZ 4000, one 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 3000 and one 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 4000 and respectively altogether amounting to $421,057,712 are arbitrary, ultra vires the Customs Act, Cap.82:01, unreasonable, unfair and unlawful; ... An Order of Certiorari to quash the respondents’ impositions of taxes on the applicant in the sums of $24,641,272, $24,641,272 and $371,775,168 in respect of the aforesaid three vehicles respectively altogether amounting to $421,057,712 ... An Order of Certiorari to quash the respondents’ requirement for the applicant to present or surrender the aforesaid three vehicles to the Law Enforcement and Investigative Division of the Revenue Authority; ... The interlocutory injunction previously granted is hereby varied as follows their respondents, their agents and their servants are hereby restrained from seizing the applicant’s 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 3000, 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 4000 and 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster PZZ 4000; ... The judge further ordered the GRA to pay costs of $750,000 to Mr. Azruddin Mohamed on or before 31st December, 2025. ... Counsel for Mr. Mohamed in an invited comment remarked that they are deeply satisfied with “a most considered and strong ruling from the high court Judge Justice Gino Persaud”. Noting that the proceedings were delayed and protected as far as possible by the over 10 attorneys retained by the GRA. Two separate appeals were filed, one of which was fully heard and determined by Justices Roxane George and Nareshwar Harnanan in May, 2025. Dhurjon noted that the GRA still owes Mr. Mohamed $300,000 as ordered by the full court. The GRA was represented by several specially retained attorneys including: Anand Ramlogan SC, Robin Stoby SC, Sanjeev Datadin, Mohanie Angaloo, Maritha Halley, Judy Stuart, Jason Moore, Fiona Hamilton, Ornise Gordon and Nicklin Belgrave. Azruddin Mohamed was represented by attorneys Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva. ... This decision represents what is believed to be the largest amount of taxes quashed by a Court in the history of Guyana.

Azruddin Mohamed elected Opposition Leader despite APNU boycott – Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana

demerarawaves.com · 2026-01-26

APNU walked out ... the meeting that was called to elect an ... The 12-seat A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Monday boycotted voting for leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed to become Guyana’s Leader of the Opposition but that did not affect the outcome as he was elected with his 16-seat majority plus the lone vote by Forward Guyana Movement. ... APNU parliamentary leader, Dr Terrence Campbell last Friday had ruled out abstaining from the vote in light of Mr Mohamed’s legal challenges – resulting from being sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and indicted by a US Grand Jury for alleged financial crimes – saying that it would affect future WIN-APNU collaboration. ... But on Monday, he said once it was clear that there would have been no other nominee for the position of Opposition Leader, he and his 11 other APNU MPs (members of parliament) walked out of the meeting. “There was one nomination for the position of Leader of the Opposition. Nominations were closed and, as we’ve said, there is no need for a vote so we left the Assembly,” he said. ... At the same time, he hoped that relations between WIN and APNU would improve. “We look forward to working with WIN and hope that there would be improvement in collaboration between us and WIN going forward. It has not been the best road so far,” he said. ... Dr Campbell, a political newcomer, said APNU decided not to nominate anyone, hoping that would signal that APNU is interested in improved relations. ... He brushed off subsequent questions on why he and his colleagues walked out of the meeting, maintaining that “there is no need for us to say” after there was one nominee” and “we have (a) budget this afternoon to prepare for.” ... Leader of Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), Amanza Walton-Desir, for her part, said APNU’s non-participation in the voting for the Opposition Leader could be seen as an abstention. “It would more than likely be but it would be good for the Clerk to clarify,” she said. ... Opposition Leader Mohamed did not dwell on APNU’s walkout, saying “that’s their choice” but he was quick to thank Ms Walton-Desir for her vote. ... The APNU parliamentary leader said his party was willing to collaborate with WIN on the implementation of digitalised biometrics for the next general and regional elections due in another five years. ... He also deemed a “constitutional issue” whether APNU would be willing to make way for WIN to sit on the seven-member Guyana Elections Commission now that it is the main opposition party. ... House Speaker Manzoor Nadir called the constitutionally required meeting of opposition MPs to elect an Opposition Leader after major Western Nations publicly called for the completion of the democratic process stemming from last September’s general and regional elections. ... However, Mr Nadir and the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) did not hide their reluctance to see Mr Mohamed becoming Opposition Leader because he is wanted by the United States alleged financial crimes.