Chinese Landing/Tassawini citizens ‘Happy for a small win’

(Kaieteur News) – Cautious relief washed over the Indigenous Carib community of Chinese Landing and Tassawini yesterday as a barge carrying mining equipment turned back down the Barama River, bringing a temporary end to an eight-day long vigil. However, the retreat has done little to quell rising political pressure, with Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan calling on the Minister of Natural Resources to account for Guyana’s unfulfilled commitments under the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) precautionary measures.

The operational escalation unfolded when machinery, including excavators and engines, attempted to access Tassawini mines by cutting through Kariako village lands after being denied entry into Tassawini due to lack of village permission, and ongoing mediation and a court case. The machinery was offloaded without the knowledge or consent of the Kariako Village Council, prompting the Toshao Collis Samuels and the village council to order an immediate evacuation of their land. Stymied by the community’s stance, the barge left Kariako and travelled back down the river to Tassawini where it then parked on the opposite bank. Yesterday, the barge finally reloaded its remaining equipment from Tassawini and began its journey downriver.

“I don’t want to celebrate because it’s not the end, but I feel relieved knowing that I don’t have to be out there another night fatiguing ourselves,” said Chinese Landing Toshao Nikita Miller. “School is Monday, and we have village projects to complete too…but we’re happy for a small win.”