27/05/2026
60th Anniversary of Independence : France Stands with Guyana 🇬🇾 🇫🇷 ☀️
At midnight 🕰️ on 26 May, Guyana celebrated the 60th anniversary of its independence.
France wished to share in the country’s joy through several significant gestures of friendship:
• An official letter of congratulations from HE President Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, addressed to his counterpart, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,
• The presence of a major French military delegation led by Major General Géraud Laborie (Air Force), Commander of the Armed Forces in French Guiana,
• A port call by the French Navy offshore patrol vessel La Résolue (PAG), together with its crew of 30 sailors under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Raphaël Pons, arriving from neighbouring Cayenne following a technical navigation deployment combining both maritime and river operations,
• A reception held aboard the vessel on Sunday, 24 May, honoured by the presence of H.E. Mr. Mark Phillips, MSS, MSc, Prime Minister of Guyana, the Speaker of Parliament, H.E. Mr. Manzoor Nadir, several members of Cabinet, including the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Oneidge Walrond, the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, head of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the National Security Adviser to H.E. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Mr. Gerry Gouveia.
Many colleagues and friends from the diplomatic community were also in attendance, including H.E. Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
• The participation of La Résolue and the French delegation in the Independence Day celebrations held on Fort Island, on the Essequibo River, where I also had the honour and pleasure of representing the President of the Republic and the French Government.
France is pleased to have been present at such an important level to demonstrate its solidarity, respect and friendship towards the people of Guyana.
The opening of our new Embassy on 1 September marks a new chapter in the friendship between our two countries.
Regional integration, particularly within the framework of CARICOM and in support of France’s communities in the Americas, the fight against trafficking, in which our two countries are actively engaged, economic and sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity are among the challenges we are addressing together.
As the President of the Republic reaffirmed: “France reiterates its commitment to the respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana, in accordance with international law.”
The 60th anniversary of Guyana’s independence is a Diamond Jubilee. Our friendship is precious to us. 💎🇬🇾 🇫🇷 💎
Emmanuel Macron President Irfaan Ali French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Hon. Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips . Manzoor Nadir, Speaker of Parliament, Guyana Defence Force Hon. Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Ashni Singh . Oneidge Walrond . Gerry Gouveia Carla Barnett
