NOT APPROVED: Army deletes images of Top Brass meeting with ABCE Diplomats; GDF boss explains why

One of the original photos of the meeting between the two sides

A meeting which was held earlier today between the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (ag) Brigadier Godfrey Bess and his team as they met with representatives of the (ABCE) American, British, Canadian, and European diplomats and which was published on the Facebook Page of the Guyana Defence Force was removed.

Shortly after the images and text was published to the GDF’s Facebook Page, the organization came in for criticisms from some sections of the Guyanese society who condemned the act as interference and questioned if the government and or President of Guyana approved the GDF’s top command meeting with the diplomates.

The post which was originally deleted 

Contacted moments ago, the Chief of Staff explained that the post was removed from the GDF’s Facebook Page as he had not granted permission for it to be uploaded. The Chief of Staff further explained that the posts will be re-uploaded to the said platform. Asked if the re-up-loading will be made with adjustments, the Chief said no.

The Chief of Staff also made it clear that it is standard practice representatives for diplomatic missions who have working relationships with the Guyana Defence Force to pay courtesy calls whenever there is a change in leadership. He said these courtesy calls are usually to understand if the new leadership would have a shift in policies as such information is necessary in order for those diplomatic and their missions to know how to streamline their continued support for the army.

Guyana Defence Force has over the years shared a very healthy working relationship with the International Community through aid, training, and resources just like its sister agency, the Guyana Police Force.

Earlier this week, a Guyana Defence Force Rank was among six persons from Defence Forces who was selected to take part in a sponsored training program in the United States.

Brigadier Godfrey Bess was appointed as acting Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force last week by President David Granger and also received his instruments to perform such functions.

His appointment comes at a time when Guyana is in the middle of a political deadlock over elections results with the two main political parties claiming victory and recount process which showed a victory for the Opposition’s People’s Progressive Party Civic.

The incumbent APNU+AFC Government has claimed that the process was fraudulent even as regional and international governments and missions have been calling for the APNU+AFC to step aside and allow a transition of government.

Since the March 02 General and Regional Elections, there have been several court matters filed by representatives of the two major parties.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Shortly after this article was posted, the GDF Chief of Staff indicated that the post was re-uploaded to the army’s Facebook Page