President Ali congratulates US President Biden, VP Harris
President Ali went on to say that Guyana stands together with the Biden-led administration in defence of unity, democracy and peace.
“Your call for unity and democracy are critical components of good governance which we share completely with you. We pray that God continues to bless the Government and people of the United States. We stand together with you in defence of unity, democracy and peace,” President Ali posited in his congratulatory message.
The Head of State had previously said he is looking forward to working with the new US President to confront critical and strategic matters of interest to the international community, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and to further strengthen elations between Guyana and the US.
President Biden defeated Donald Trump to clinch the White House following a cliff-hanger vote count at the November 2020 election.
US President Joe Biden taking his oath of office
The 78-year-old Democrat is the oldest U.S. President to take office; and after taking his oath of office, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts at the Capitol Building under heavy security and in the presence of a scant gathering of dignitaries, including three former US presidents, Biden vowed to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States in his inaugural address to the nation.
He also pleaded for unity in what has been described as a “divided nation”, and promised to be a president for all Americans, urging that they give him a chance.
“Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together; uniting our people and uniting our nation. I ask every American to join me in this cause. Uniting to fight the common foes we face: anger, resentment, hatred, extremism, lawlessness, violence. disease, joblessness, hopelessness.
US Vice President Kamala Harris taking her oath of office on Wednesday
“With unity we can do great things. Important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome this deadly virus. We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all. We can deliver racial justice.
“To all those who supported our campaign, I am humbled by the faith you have placed in us. To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart, and if you still disagree, so be it. That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably within the guardrails of our republic is perhaps our nation’s greatest strength. Yet, hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion. And I pledge this to you: I will be a president for all Americans. I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did,” President Biden reassured.
Wednesday’s inauguration has gone down in history, as Vice President Harris is the first female, and first Black and South Asian person to become Vice President.
Upon taking office, President Biden immediately went to work and signed a raft of measures, reversing some of Trump’s policies.
The executive orders signed sought to establish the mandatory wearing of mask and social distancing in federal buildings, a new White House office on coronavirus, bringing an end to a travel ban on visitors from some Muslim-majority nations, and reversing Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, among other things. (G8)