WPA renews call for inquiry into death of Walter Rodney

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) on Wednesday renewed its call for an inquiry into the death of its founder Dr Walter Rodney who was assassinated some 32 years ago.
Co-leader of the WPA, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said the small party wants “an international commission of inquiry… we want commissions from across the Caribbean and Africa,” as it is in those countries that Rodney’s work was most prevalent and his influence strong.
Dr Roopnarine said the legislation allowing for the inquiry into the death of Rodney is being held up by the ruling People’s Progressive Party administration. He said that the call for an inquiry into Rodney’s “assassination” was changed to one for an inquiry into his “death”. According to him, the change in language was aimed at fostering cooperation at the parliamentary level to ensure that an inquiry into Rodney’s death was not perceived as an incitement of a verdict before an investigation was conducted.
“The wording of the Rodney motion was included to take into account the political climate,” Dr Roopnaraine said, noting that the WPA wanted the least amount of controversy. He noted that “truth and reconciliation just becomes a war by another means” if the inclusion of language did not suggest a broader basis for an investigation into the death of Rodney.
Meanwhile, the co-leader of the WPA said unlike the majority of the other political parties that existed during the 1970s and 1980s, the WPA was able to survive the loss of their populist leader.

Dr Roopnarine was adamant that the long history of the party is what it brings to the political discourse of Guyana, “we bring together years of political experience…maintaining focus on the destiny of the poor”.
He added that the WPA as a party within the opposition coalition, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will continue to press and strive for more momentum in the call for financial transparency of the government.
He said the WPA will continue to press the government, along with the other opposition parties, to ensure that the electoral reform system is addressed this year.  He added that last year should be the last national election in the history of Guyana where the 10 administrative regions are used as constituencies.
On the death anniversary of Rodney, the WPA reiterated the need for dialogue proposing academic freedom for educators to be supported.
The party will be hosting several seminars and lectures that will seek to sensitise the populace about the life and work of Dr Rodney.
Rodney Day is being observed under the theme: “The Walter Rodney Legacy: the tasks for Political and Racial Unity”, Rodney’s cultural significance continues to be a foundation of the WPA and their political dogma.