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Int’l commission to probe Rodney’s murder – govt hopes move will settle case
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hirty-three years after his assassination the Guyana government has announced an international probe into the death of renowned academic Dr Walter Rodney – a move hailed by many as welcome news, although it drew scepticism from some quarters. Many believe that a key witness – former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officer Gregory Smith would have provided vital details into the assassination, but the Guyanese native has since died in neighbouring French Guiana. The announcement of the international commission of inquiry was made by Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon at a postCabinet media briefing and later by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in the National Assembly. For years, the Forbes Burnham administration had been blamed for the murder, which occurred outside the Camp Street Prison as Dr Rodney sat in his car. Thursday also marked the 33rd death anniversary of Dr Rodney. Dr Luncheon told reporters that government has recognised the unsuccessful and inconclusive results of earlier attempts to investigate Dr Rodney’s demise. He stated that the late Dr Rodney’s family has presented substantial arguments for his assassination to be investigated to bring to an end to the speculation that surrounds the cause,
Dr Roger Luncheon made the announcement
those involved, and motives behind his death. Two other reports have been done and published on the late historian’s death, Dr Luncheon reminded. “I can assure that those will be part of the subject matters pertaining to Dr Rodney’s murder which would become a part of this commission of inquiry,” he said.
Successful collaboration
He reckoned that this inquiry should not be as difficult as the other commissions of inquiry conducted in the country, noting the findings should be released soon after. He posited that further contributions from Dr Rodney’s family; his former political allies in the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), the Working People’s Alliance (WPA); and his international colleagues would mean a successful collaboration in putting together suitable terms of reference for the inquiry.
Dr Luncheon said this matter, which has baffled many, needs to be dealt with comprehensively to finally bring closure. Dr Rodney was a prominent Guyanese historian, political activist, and scholar. He died on June 13, 1980 at the age of 38 after a bomb exploded in his car, a month after returning from the independence celebrations in Zimbabwe and during a period of intense political activism. He was survived by his wife, Pat, and three children. His brother, Donald Rodney, who was injured in the explosion, said that Smith, a GDF sergeant, had given Rodney the bomb that killed him. After the killing, Smith fled to French Guiana, where he died in 2002.
Welcomed move
The Alliance For Change (AFC) said it welcomes and supports the announcement that an international commission of inquiry will be appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the late Dr Rodney. “The AFC is not satisfied though with the imprecise and vague promise for the establishment of the tribunal and, judging that similar pronouncements since 1992 by the ruling PPP/C have been made, we demand that a timeframe be set,” said the party. The AFC noted that the killing of Dr Rodney had become a political foot-
ball, being kicked between the PPP/C and the People’s National Congress (PNC). The former has accused the latter of assassinating the renowned historian – activist, but failed to investigate its claim.
Freedom fighter
For its part, the PPP/C said Dr Rodney is recognised the world over as a freedom fighter, noting that he is better known for his contribution to Africa. However he supported the freedom and working people’s struggle throughout the world. “It was, therefore, no surprise that he challenged the PNC regime, which now calls itself A Partnership for National Unity (APNU),” the PPP/C said. “He joined the struggle on his return home to liberate Guyana. Dr Rodney’s contribution in that period was very important and helped to unmask the PNC,” the PPP/C further said. The party also said it supports President Donald Ramotar in establishing the commission. The youth arm of the PPP/C also hailed Dr Rodney’s contribution to the liberation of Guyana. The group said Dr Rodney was an internationally recognised Guyanese historian who devoted his life to eliminating racial divisions among Guyanese, a fight which publicly angered then President Burnham, and for which he would later pay with his life.