Azzrudin Mohamed, the son of Guyanese business tycoon, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, is the principal of “Team Mohamed’s.” The family owns “Mohamed’s Enterprises” and several other businesses. Azzrudin Mohamed is arguably Guyana’s most popular non-political person. But recently, there have been resounding calls by Guyanese of all walks of life for him to make a grand entry into the political arena. Team Mohamed’s has been described on their Facebook Page as a “sports team,” but they are much more than that. While the family owns a large number of yachts, luxury cars, and sports vehicles, the Mohameds of Georgetown, are now known for their highly publicized philanthropical works across the length and breath of Guyana.
In recent years, Azzrudin and his family, operating under the umbrella term, “Team Mohamed’s” have touched the hearts and lives of thousands of people across the country of Guyana. Their charitable outreaches often hit the nail on the head, uplifting lives, fixing problems, and impacting those hard-to-reach areas of people’s lives where traditional and government sponsored programs fail to reach. Since as early as 2021, the Mohameds have been showcasing hundreds, if not thousands, of charitable deeds including building homes and funding businesses for Guyanese of all races and religions.
No Discrimination
The Mohameds might identify as “Muslims of East Indian descent,” but their charitable outreaches are not limited to their “own kind.” Team Mohamed’s have helped Guyanese of all ethnicities and religions, making his approach non-discriminatory and all-inclusive, and making Azzrudin more and more a “man of the people.”
Calls for Political Entry
Based on his ever-growing popularity amongst the Guyanese people, there have been widespread and growing calls for him to contest the upcoming general elections this year. Some have even suggested a party name. However, up to late last year (2024), Team Mohamed’s had given no indication of a desire to enter the political arena. But speculation that he “might” do so have caused him to come under growing “political persecution.” Several government aligned voices have already started smear campaigns aimed at tarnishing the name of Team Mohamed’s.
A Threat to the Existing Government?
It is a widely perceived notion in Guyana that the political opposition, consisting of the APNU/AFC coalition, which was voted out of office in 2020, is dead, and poses little competition to the government in power. In fact, the coalition which came to power in 2015, and stayed in government for one short term, is now dissolved, with the AFC faction once again running independently. Although there have been talks of reuniting, it is not clear what the future holds for these two once-united factions. The APNU, which is a coalition by itself compromising of the PNC/R and several other smaller political parties, has been facing a dwindling hope of ever returning to power. Some have suggested they rebrand and regroup under a different name, and with new policies, but this itself poses its own challenges.
With no formidable rival on the political landscape, one non-political person, Azzrudin Mohamed, seems to have the government on edge. Recently, Mohamed has been a thorn in the side of the PPP/C government, often being the center of criticism for involvement in public schools and sports outreaches. With widespread calls for him to contest the upcoming elections, the government in power appears to be genuinely afraid of this one man more than all political groups combined.
Sanctions
While the Mohameds, populaly known as “Team Mohamed’s” enjoy widespread and growing popularity amongst the Guyanese people, his entry into politics, if he chooses to run, and supposing he wins, would come with is own set of complications. The Mohamed family, including Azzrudin and Nazar Mohamed, and their businesses, have recently been sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control. The sanctions prohibit US persons from doing business with the family or their affiliated businesses. However, some sources have warned that even Guyanese with close connection may be sanctioned if they do business with the sanctioned entities. Local banks have reportedly closed the bank accounts of the father/son duo, and several of their local business operations have been disrupted.
Meanwhile, calls for Azzrudin Mohamed to enter the political arena and contest the upcoming elections have been resounding in the streets of Guyana and on social media. He seems to have captured the hearts of a large fraction of the population who seem to care little of any consequence that US Sanctions might have on the country of Guyana if the younger Mohamed does run for office and wins.
Can Azzrudin Mohamed Really Win?
If we use the voices we hear on social media as an indicator, it would seem like Azzrudin Mohamed does stand a good chance of winning the upcoming elections, if he chooses to run. This is because the masses see him as a leader with empathy, a man who cares, and a man who has touched the hearts and lives of countless people. Social media likes, comments, and shares, however, can be a poor indicator of people’s true intentions and desires. And even the voices in the streets can fade or switch up at the last moment. Further, Mohamed, now financially restricted due to the recent US sanctions, will have to campaign primarily with his own money, or that of his supporters, against a government with superior financial leverage due to the country’s ongoing oil boom. Already, one local news outlet, which seems to be aligned with the ruling PPP/C government, has started smear campaigns against the Mohameds.
What Happens if He Does Contest and Win?
If Azzrudin Mohamed does contest and win the upcoming general elections, it might be a dream come true for some people, but others are worried about the possible repercussions. Mohamed assuming the seat of the Presidency “might” put Guyana/US relations in jeopardy, and it is not certain whether the US based oil giant EXXONMOBIL would continue doing business with Guyana under such condition. This might in turn make Guyana more vulnerable to a Venezuelan usurpation of the Essequibo. Many of his supporters, however, seem to believe that the US will overlook Mohamed’s shortcomings once he gets into office. But this raises the most pivotal question yet:
Is Azzrudin Willing to Run for Office?
In recent years, the Mohameds have steered clear out of politics, and have even said openly that their desire is to do works of charity and stay out of government. However, under extreme pressure from the local population, Azzrudin has recently hinted at entering politics, although it is not clear if he will form his own political party, back the main opposition, or become the presidential candidate for an existing political party.
In some of his recent Facebook posts, Azzrudin Mohamed assumed the posture of a political leader, pointing flaws in the existing government, and issuing statements that impose on the leadership of the country. In a recent Facebook video, his father, Nazar Mohamed, said that, while he has no intentions of becoming a political leader, if his son, Azzrudin, does, then that’s his choice, and he wishes him all the best.
In conclusion, it does seem somewhat likely at this juncture that Azzrudin Mohamed might be considering giving the government a run for its office. However, the extent and loyalty of his support base is difficult to measure at this time. Further, if he does run and win, it is dubious how that will affect Guyana/US relations.
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