NationBuilding, Guyana Beyond 2030: A Journey of Resilience, Unity, and Hope

A Journey of Resilience, Unity, and Hope

Clement James Rohee’s Quiet and Persistent Hope

In a compelling episode of “Nation Building,” veteran Guyanese statesman Clement Rohee offered a reflective and deeply personal account of Guyana’s political evolution—interweaving biography, ideology, and a measured optimism about the nation’s future. The conversation, both introspective and forward-looking, provided valuable insights into the complexities of governance in a society marked by diversity, historical divisions, and unprecedented economic transformation.

Rohee’s life story unfolds as a microcosm of Guyana’s multicultural identity. Born in 1950 into a family with African, Indian, and Barbadian ancestry, his upbringing was shaped by the lived experience of pluralism—an identity that continues to define the Guyanese nation. His early political awakening, influenced by anti-imperialist documentaries on the Vietnam War, reflects not only a personal intellectual journey but also Guyana’s broader postcolonial struggle to define its place in the global order. Rohee’s remarkable political career spans decades of service in pivotal roles. From 1992 to 2001, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, followed by his tenure as Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation (2001-2006), and later as Minister of Home Affairs (2006-2015). During this time, he also served as General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) from 2013 to 2017, and more recently as a Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission—a position that has given him unique perspectives on the nation’s democratic processes.

The discussion traced the ideological trajectory of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), offering critical insights into the evolution of one of Guyana’s dominant political institutions. Rohee was forthright in acknowledging the ethnic perceptions often attached to the party, while emphasizing that its original philosophical grounding in Marxist humanism sought to transcend such boundaries. Historically, Guyana’s political landscape has been dominated by two major parties with strong ethnic affiliations—the PPP, traditionally supported by Indo-Guyanese who make up about 40% of the population, and the People’s National Congress (PNC), primarily backed by Afro-Guyanese who constitute roughly 30%. This ethnic polarization has defined the country’s politics since the original PPP split in 1955, when Forbes Burnham broke away from Cheddi Jagan to form what would become the PNC. In a significant development that reflects the party’s evolving ideology, the PPP recently removed references to “Marxism-Leninism” and “socialism” from its constitution during its 32nd Congress in May 2024. Even as the party moved beyond formal leftist doctrines, Rohee insisted its enduring commitment to social equity—through education, healthcare, and public service—has remained intact.

Central to Rohee’s reflections was the question of national unity and the elusive pursuit of shared governance. He argued that genuine political collaboration cannot be imposed from above; it must emerge organically from consistent engagement, trust-building, and inclusive policymaking. His tenure at the Guyana Elections Commission illuminated both the fragility and promise of democratic pluralism. For Rohee, democracy is not merely a procedural norm but a civic ethic that demands tolerance, negotiation, and respect for difference. These insights are particularly relevant as Guyana navigates its current political landscape. Since 2020, the PPP/C has held power under President Irfaan Ali, who was sworn in after a contentious five-month standoff following disputed elections. With the PPP/C holding a slender one-seat majority (33 of 65 seats) in the National Assembly, governance requires careful negotiation and compromise.

The conversation also grappled with Guyana’s evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly regarding the simmering border dispute with Venezuela. This conflict has intensified since ExxonMobil’s discovery of significant oil reserves off Guyana’s coast in 2015. By December 2023, tensions escalated when Venezuela held a referendum claiming the resource-rich Essequibo region—which constitutes two-thirds of Guyana’s territory—as Venezuelan land. In recent months, the dispute has seen concerning developments, including Venezuela’s plans to elect a governor for the disputed territory and naval incursions into Guyanese waters, approaching oil facilities operated by ExxonMobil. Guyana has sought relief through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in December 2023 ordered Venezuela to refrain from taking any action to alter the status quo in the disputed region. Rohee addressed these tensions with characteristic nuance—urging a balance between humanitarian obligations toward Venezuelan migrants and the imperatives of national security. His perspective revealed a seasoned diplomat’s understanding of regional diplomacy in an era of rising global volatility.

What makes this territorial dispute particularly significant is Guyana’s emergence as a major oil producer. Since oil production began in December 2019, Guyana’s economy has undergone a dramatic transformation, becoming the world’s fastest-growing economy. In 2024, the nation experienced a remarkable 43.6% economic growth, driven primarily by the oil sector’s 57.7% expansion. Oil production has increased from 391,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 616,000 barrels per day in 2024, with projections to reach 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027. This economic boom presents both opportunities and challenges. Guyana’s GDP per capita has risen from one of the lowest in the Latin America and Caribbean region to over $18,000 in 2022, and is projected to become the highest in South America in the coming years. However, as Rohee observed, this newfound wealth also raises questions about equitable distribution, environmental sustainability, and avoiding the notorious “resource curse” that has plagued other resource-rich nations.

What animated Rohee’s entire discussion was a quiet and persistent hope—a belief in Guyana’s ability to rise above its historical divisions. He sees Guyana at an inflection point, with oil wealth unlocking unprecedented opportunities for transformation. But he cautioned that prosperity alone will not heal social fractures or build national character. That requires vision, education, and a sustained investment in inclusive institutions. The challenge for Guyana, as Rohee articulated, is to use its newfound resources to address persistent development needs—including improving life expectancy, education, and access to electricity, which remain below regional averages despite the country’s economic boom. The government has established a Natural Resource Fund to manage oil revenues and has pledged to invest in infrastructure, climate resilience, and human capital development.

Rohee’s life and message reflect a deeper truth: nation-building is not simply about policy or power—it is a moral and civic undertaking. It is about cultivating a shared imagination of the future, one that acknowledges the wounds of the past but refuses to be defined by them. As Guyana stands at the threshold of structural change, with projections of continued double-digit growth in the coming years, Rohee offers a generational challenge: resist cynicism, invest in people, and hold fast to democratic values. His parting thought is both a poetic assertion and a political imperative: divorce is not an option. Guyanese are bound, not by force, but by a common aspiration—to see their nation flourish as a united, self-confident country built on justice, equity, and hope. In this vision, the “Nation Building” that Rohee has dedicated his life to becomes not just a program title, but a living commitment to creating a Guyana where prosperity is shared, where diversity is celebrated, and where the promise of independence is finally fulfilled.

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