Prime Minister Gaston Browne has joined fellow CARICOM leaders for a regional summit where the reappointment of Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett has emerged as a key issue.
Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have questioned the procedure used to extend Barnett’s tenure, prompting debate among Heads of Government.
In response, leaders agreed to begin the process of seeking an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to clarify the Community’s rules governing the appointment of the Secretary General. Barnett will remain in office while the court’s opinion is being sought.
The summit is also focusing on a range of regional matters, including global geopolitical developments, energy security, food security and other challenges facing CARICOM member states.
Browne is attending the meeting with a four-member delegation comprising Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Dr. Clarence Henry, Senior Foreign Service Officer Kurt Williams and Project Development Officer Juray Roberts.
The conference is expected to result in decisions on several regional priorities as CARICOM works to address economic, political and security issues across the region.
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It is really both sad and disgraceful that this issue with the reappointment of Dr. CARLA BARNETT as Caricom Secretary General cannot be resolved in caucus and would reach the Caribbean Court of Justice. It really speaks to the ability of Caricom member states to effectively do things by concensus. If I was in Dr. CARLA BARNETT’s position, I would just throw in the towel and call it a day when her current term ends. Caricom has failed her badly. This is a most disappointing development.
@ Audley Phillip,
More importantly, CARICOM as well as other Caribbean institutions have failed the Caribbean people.
The public is not even aware what are the underlying issues that brought about her falling out of favour with Trinidad and Jamaica.
This is more about CARICOM as a 53 year old organization. They may eventually get rid of Dr. Barnett but what will become of them and other Caribbean institutions?
We have become a region that excels in grandiose PR with no substance whatsoever.
Look deeper, and go beyond the feel good PR statements that is presented as news.
@ Audley Phillip
Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have questioned the procedure used to extend Barnett’s tenure.
In other words they the other CARICOM members used corruptive means to extend her tenure.
The judiciary is never asked to get involved unless it’s illegal by corruptive means.