A puppet presidency is a scenario where a person–elected or selected–retains a title and is furnished with all the pomp of state but who, in reality, has no power. That power resides with powerful interests in the form of an individual, or a state that controls every decision made by this person. That person essentially presides over a puppet state.
Puppet presidencies and puppet states are not new political phenomena; leaders have utilized this mechanism to follow constitutional provisions or term limits when seeking to retain power. It involves a process whereby the leader who can no longer serve because of legal barriers, walks away from power in fanfare, appears democratic, and retires to his villa or mansion. Before this carefully choreographed development, he carefully channels power in the direction of a lackey over whom he has total domination and seeks to remain in office through this game plan.
As Ali bestrides the world with naïve bombast and blissful ignorance, the regional and global leaders are quietly laughing at Guyana’s second puppet presidency. Reliable sources in several regional and global capitals within the halls of power have informed this publication. Before Ali arrives in regional and global capitals, the snide remark is made: ‘but he is not the president’.
Nonetheless, meetings are held due to standing diplomatic protocol. During the meetings, the feeling of uselessness is palpable. Invariably, the real meeting goes down when contact is made to Jagdeo who makes the final call, and in some cases, completely contradicts the de jure president. This arrangement has weakened Ali and sometimes makes it impossible for him to secure deals on behalf of the Guyanese people.
There is no doubt, that the laughs and chuckles are directed at Ali. However, given his supreme qualification to play the role of the puppet, it is doubtful that he has a modicum of concern or shame. His limit or non-existent ambition is satisfied with a few trips and photo ops, while the de facto president makes all the critical calls. This is the reason that he was carefully selected as the second puppet president.
After the bitter experience with Ramotar that culminated in a slap, the puppet master has now perfected his art. Ali is the ultimate embodiment of the refined art of controlling power from behind the throne. While this might be the bad political business of a Jagdeoite PPP, it is negatively affecting the image of Guyana. It invites confusion and puckatory. It makes us look weak and uncertain.
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