First Wave Movement Calls for Sedition Probe Into Prime Minister Over ‘Total War’ Remarks
The First Wave Movement has written to Trinidad and Tobago’s Commissioner of Police calling for an investigation into Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar over statements attributed to her in a recent Independence Day message to supporters.
The letter, dated September 1, 2026, was signed by the movement’s founder and leader, Umar Abdullah, and addressed directly to the Commissioner of Police.
At the centre of the complaint are remarks attributed to Persad-Bissessar, including: “Do not crawl on your belly for anyone. It’s either peace or total war, nothing in between.”
The letter also quotes the Prime Minister as saying that “finesse and diplomacy must be backed up with steeliness and savagery when required to defend the UNC membership.”
Abdullah argues in the letter that the comments should not be dismissed simply as political rhetoric and alleges that their language could encourage division and confrontation. Those assertions represent the position of Abdullah and the First Wave Movement and are not, by themselves, a finding that any offence has been committed.
The letter specifically calls for the matter to be examined under Trinidad and Tobago’s Sedition Act. It cites provisions which, according to the document, deal with speech that encourages hostility, disaffection, violence, disorder or breaches of the peace. The movement contends that the references to “total war” and “savagery” warrant scrutiny under those provisions.
In making its case, the organisation also references previous sedition-related matters involving Yasin Abu Bakr, Watson Duke, Sat Maharaj and Christopher Hughes. The letter argues that those cases demonstrate why statements made by someone holding the office of Prime Minister should also be subjected to scrutiny where concerns are raised.
The movement further alleges that the Prime Minister’s language risks worsening partisan hostility and undermining confidence in democratic processes. Again, these are allegations and interpretations advanced by the organisation in its letter rather than conclusions reached by police or a court.
Abdullah is asking the Commissioner to formally investigate the Independence Day statements and, if the evidence supports the allegations, pursue charges under the Sedition Act. He also called for what he described as impartial enforcement of the law regardless of the office held by the person involved.
The letter concludes with Abdullah signing in his capacity as founder and leader of The First Wave Movement.
