Mohamed Irfaan Ali 10th President of Guyana since August 2, 2020 Date of Birth: 25.04.1980

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Career
3. Presidential Candidacy and Election
4. Legal Challenges
5. Presidential Platform
6. Presidency

Early Life and Education

Irfan Ali was born into a Muslim Indo-Guyanese family in Leonora, a village on the west coast of Guyana. His parents were teachers, and he had one brother. He spent much of his early years on Leguan Island, where he attended primary school. He received his secondary education at St. Stanislaus College in Georgetown. Ali holds a doctorate in urban and regional planning from the University of the West Indies.

Political Career

In 2006, Ali became a member of Guyana's National Assembly. He was subsequently appointed Minister of Housing and Water, and Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce.

Presidential Candidacy and Election

On January 19, 2019, Irfan Ali was selected as the People's Progressive Party's presidential candidate. The general and regional elections were held on March 2, 2020.

Legal Challenges

Ali faced 19 charges of conspiracy and fraud from Guyana's Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). Ali's lawyers argued that the charges were unlawful and politically motivated, and claimed they were "fabricated." Following Ali's selection as presidential candidate, opponents accused him of falsifying one of his qualifications nearly two decades prior.

Presidential Platform

In his campaign for the presidency, Ali presented a platform largely based on economic recovery, citing the administration's slowing economy and rising unemployment. Irfan Ali pledged to create 50,000 new jobs over five years.

Presidency

In the August 2020 general election, Ali was officially elected as the 10th President of Guyana. He took office on August 2, 2020, and remains in this position today. He is the country's first Muslim president.