Several CARICOM member states are preparing to throw their support behind the candidacy of Jamaica’s Foreign Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, to be the next Commonwealth Secretary General.
Johnson Smith is seeking to oust incumbent Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland.
The move comes over the objection of CARICOM’s immediate past chairman, Gaston Browne and Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
It’s understood that several regional leaders have called for an emergency meeting this week to address what is being described as a mischaracterization of the position taken by the Heads of Government at a meeting last month.
A CARICOM communique had spoken to overwhelming support for the re-election of Baroness Scotland.
But that statement is now being challenged.
Regional sources say at last check there were only three sure CARICOM votes to re-elect Baroness Patricia Scotland to the post of Commonwealth Secretary General.
The regional body has 15 members.
It’s not immediately clear whether Senator Johnson Smith commands all remaining 12 votes.
But it’s understood that the Jamaican Foreign Minister is expected to also be supported by influential Commonwealth members such as the United Kingdom, Australia and several influential African nations.
Efforts by our news center this afternoon to get several CARICOM Heads of Government on the record were unsuccessful, with most indicating through their aides that they were unwilling to discuss the matter ahead of the expected emergency meeting of regional heads.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister is expected to make a statement on the matter. — Nationwide News
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
To divide and rule is their only plan.
I look forward to the day of unity of Caricom.
I remember the PM from Jamaica and St. Lucia being invited to Donald Trump home to get their little reward for parting with Caricom.
Will we be seeing the same thing again?
Rally around the West Indies.
Comments are closed.