By Clyde W Thierens
With the demise of President Forbes Burnham in August 1985, Hugh Desmond Hoyte ascended to the presidency of Guyana. He became president at a time when Guyana was faced with many serious challenges. The country was in dire financial straits because its economy had been seriously ravaged as a result of unsuccessful economic policies instituted as part of the socialist experiment undertaken by Mr Hoyte’s predecessor. Additionally, the society was divided along ethnic lines, primarily as a consequence of ethnic polarization along political lines which had plagued Guyanese politics for decades. Much of the ethnic tension was based on the idea that Forbes Burnham and the PNC had indulged in questionable activities in order to remain in power. Mr Hoyte’s rise to the leadership of the party and the country surprised many who did not see him as the natural successor to Forbes Burnham.
President Hoyte pursued his task with energy and focus. He charted his own course and demonstrated a willingness to break with the past. While many admired his approach to governance, there were others, even within his own party, who were apprehensive about his strategies as they believed that these posed serious threats to the status quo. Undaunted, Mr Hoyte set out to deal with the issues of the day. He resolutely pursued policies designed to bring social cohesion and economic stability. He also
