LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Dr. Fontaine’s deceit exposed

On April 26, 2017 Dominica News Online (DNO) published a story with the Headline “Dr. Thomson Fontaine Gets Top Economic Job in South Sudan”, in which it reported that “Dr. Thomson Fontaine has been appointed Senior Economic and International Policy Adviser to the Government of South Sudan”. It went on to state that the former IMF employee would be responsible for “offering policy advice to the transitional government, assisting in the organization of RESOURCES of the state, and importantly, establishing an ECONOMIC and FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT POLICY for the country.”

In that DNO story Dr. Fontaine was quoted as saying “I will be serving as the primary liaison of the TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY basically providing them with economic policy advice in that area and CONTRIBUTE TO DIFFERENT WORKING PAPERS AND POLICY DISCUSSIONS on the future of South Sudan”.

Being conscious of Dr. Fontaine’s propensity for hyperbole and for manipulating information to suit his political objectives, I was not prepared to take the economist- turned -politician’s word on face value; and I proceeded to scour the internet in an effort to satisfy myself that the former Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS) Treasurer could have been up to some “old trick” of deception.

Several hours spent at the computer visiting scores of websites (including those of official South Sudan government as well as international agencies), provided no confirmation of Dr. Fontaine’s assertion that he was off to South Sudan to serve as an Advisor to the Government of South Sudan. The only Sudanese news outlet which made reference to the “appointment” of the former IMF economist was the Sudan Tribune, which in a story dated April 27, 2017 references the DNO story of the previous day, but with a curious addition that “Thomson Fontaine hails from the Dominican Republic”!

Truth has the habit of revealing itself in mysterious ways. A story appearing in DNO on, Saturday, April 28, 2018 – exactly one year after it reported on Dr. Fontaine’s “appointment”- and curiously, exactly one day before the United Workers Party Delegates Conference in Fontaine’s home village, reports as follows: “Dominican economist and JMEC colleagues brief South Sudan legislators”. That must have been a DNO “BREAKING NEWS” story, since generally, “ordinary” news (whatever that is) is not posted on a weekend!

For me, it was indeed breaking news. It broke the case of deception, which for a whole year was shrouded in strong suspicion. Dr. Fontaine was in fact never appointed as Senior Economic Adviser to the Government of South Sudan! During the past year he served as a senior economic advisor on the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) in South Sudan!

A visit to the JMEC’s website (www.jmecsouthsudan.org) reveals that that Commission was established under Chapter VII of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS), and is responsible for “the monitoring and overseeing of the implementation of the peace agreement, the mandate and tasks of the Transitional Government of National Unity including the adherence of the parties to the agreed timelines and implementation schedules”, among other functions. Nowhere in the mandate and terms of reference of the JMEC is there mention of any economic advisory function. And Dr. Fontaine’s remarks at the JMEC  briefing referred to in Saturday’s DNO story were no different from what he is used to repeating in Dominica .. job creation; growing the economy; youth empowerment, and so on. In the context of the South Sudan realities, any economist “worth his salt” would have highlighted the toll which “tribal politics” continues to inflict on that country’s economy.

Examination of the structure of the JMEC reveals that Dr. Fontaine serves on one of its several Working Committees (RESOURCE, ECONOMIC and FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Committee) which was established in April 2017!  Here, I make reference to the areas highlighted in the first and second paragraphs of this article, to show how Dr. Fontaine was able to cleverly, and deceptively use key words in his terms of engagement.

With DNO’s Saturday “Breaking News” Dr. Fontaine’s self-gratifying publicity on the eve of the UWP’s Delegates Conference may very well prove counterproductive for himself and his Party! Yet another rising star of Team Dominica could have lost its lustre!

 

Rupert Sorhaindo

 

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52 Comments

  1. Winston warrington
    May 29, 2019

    As a former student of yours at DGS, I am imploring you to let it go. Dr Fontaine desperately needed a job and he accepted one where most would not; some years ago, he did the same in Afghanistan: or so he claimed. If there is anything weird about the guy, just let it be.

  2. langlou
    May 8, 2018

    sokoro never like Thompson as a teacher in SMA

  3. Maria
    May 8, 2018

    It is unbelievable that Rupert Sorhaindo would spend a whole year digging information on the internet to discredit Dr. Thompson Fontaine. Whoa! The truth is Thompson is from Grand Fond, a little village in the southeast that those coleur wai a yai, like Sorhaindo called Ovent. Thompson has a Phd that he worked hard for, not one he paid for, he worked as an economist at the IMF and he is an international consultant in Sudan, Africa.
    Rupert Sorhaindo, put that in your pipe and smoke it! Your little teacher job could not even send you to Marigalante as a consultant. This hatred these opportunists spread against our successful black Dominicans must stop.
    Shame on Rupert Sorhaindo,

    • Johnnie Boy
      May 10, 2018

      OMG Maria you could not have said it better , Sorhaindo you stoop low you mean your hatred and partisan politics have you going to the gutter . SHAME ! SHAME! SHAME!

  4. ?????????????????
    May 8, 2018

    You see the difference. The article is not saying anything about Thompson but it says that what was said (Position) is not what he was appointed. Straight forward article to quote” Dr. Fontaine was in fact never appointed as Senior Economic Adviser to the Government of South Sudan! During the past year he served as a senior economic advisor on the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) in South Sudan!”

    Proof was provided and look at all the remarks. There is nothing wrong in the article … It just clarifies some misquotation (misunderstanding)

    This article does not say anything but says that the Gentleman was not an advisor to the Government of Sudan but During the past year he served as a senior economic advisor on the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) in South Sudan!

    He claimed deception which can be said if I say I am doing something I am not doing or in a position that I am not.

    You all need to reason better than that and truth is…

    • Treadstone
      May 9, 2018

      You must be one naive individual. If you think that Mr. Sorhaindo went through all that trouble simply to offer clarification on an issue of semantics, then those question marks in your name must be a metaphor for your intelligence.

  5. latitude e5550
    May 8, 2018

    Good article Rupert.

    • Johnnie Boy
      May 10, 2018

      Good article my foot , idiot

  6. Countryman
    May 8, 2018

    This is a mess – I wonder what your children and their children are saying right now after reading this, given both yours sons are both well educated. What an embarrassment! At you age you should be laser focused on what systems should be put in place to facilitate the sustainable advancement of the next generation (your grand kids). I hope this is a wake up call. I will tell this to you face if and when we meet.

  7. Shaw
    May 8, 2018

    Padna if i was you i would write a letter to dno saying it wasnt me. cause this has made dominicans hate you and love fontaine even more. he represents us while you bring us down. go do some yoga and cleanse yourself from this hatred and jealousy.

    • ?????????????????
      May 8, 2018

      Shaw see my comments. Politics have blinded some of you folks. Reread the article 3 times or 4 times to understand. Mr. Sorhaindo is in fact saying he did not trust Thompson on his appointment as Economic Advisor to the Government of Sudan. He actually wanted to verify and he googled etc. Infact it was later brought out that Thompson Fontaine infact was on another committee. I therefore quote from above “For me, it was indeed breaking news. It broke the case of deception, which for a whole year was shrouded in strong suspicion. Dr. Fontaine was in fact never appointed as Senior Economic Adviser to the Government of South Sudan! During the past year he served as a senior economic advisor on the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) in South Sudan!

      Guys instead of hating, not reading properly and inciting strife and hatred, educate people.
      There is nothing in the above article to insult and say all those things against Mr. Sorhaindo. Please respect one another

      • Larry Grell
        May 8, 2018

        Who does the JMEC advise?

      • Shaw
        May 9, 2018

        rupert, what position he held did not keep any dominican up at night except you. i dont care if it is this committee or that committee. we have other fish to fry. i have never voted and i dont support any party and i will never vote so your political comments are not for me. my statements and those of many here just want to state
        why are you so obsessed with fontaine? why you go thru so much lengths to bring him down for so long? we dont really care whats in the blueprints of whatever he is doing over there, if theres such a term. you do. you are obsessed. and just control it before it takes over you. thats all rupert. we love you the same way we love our dear fontaine. one love. blessed

  8. CIA Agent
    May 7, 2018

    I was on the edge about Dr. Fontaine before this pointless point of view. Thank you Mr Sorhaindo for proving to me that the likes of Dr. Fontaine may be just what Dominica needs. Your intent may have been to discredit him but the impact has been the opposite.

    I did not go tp SMA but at DGS we were taught to ask these 6 critical questions when someone says something: who, what, when, where, why, and how.

    Who said it? A prior Labour party opponent before it was hijacked. (opportunist)
    What was said? Something to discredit a fellow Dominican about a positive international project.
    When was it said? When opposition to the current Labour party is growing.
    Where was it said? On an online Dominican news platform.
    Why was it said? Fear that the fellow Dominican may be gaining political momentum.
    How was it said? Using many exclamation marks and BOLD texts. (shouting)

    At this point, all I can see is you foaming at the mouth and yelling. You have made me a Dr. Fontaine supporter…

  9. Sogo Fly Hit Him in the Head
    May 7, 2018

    Rupert is that you? Really? How sad that you have become another apologist for the kleptocracy ruling Dominica. Why did not you not spend time researching:

    1. The Bin Bobol
    2. Why lap Seng was appointed a diplomat by Skerrit
    2. The fertilizer scandal
    4. The $100 million dollar loan Venezuela forgave which is not accounted for in our budget or financial records
    5. Why Monfared was appointed a diplomat
    6. Why Madueke was appointed a diplomat
    7. The miracle million dollar bridge with strobe lights which was another dam to flood Roseau and other brilliant pieces of Roseau River and assorted engineering courtesy of El Supremo and his Bajan political advisors posing as engineers etc

    Why come lambaste a man who is educating Dominicans and not degrading them like you seek to do in alliance with the so called guide Senior Clown on Kairi. Your sad state is a metaphor for how low Dominica has come with morally repugnant elites like you giving a pass to thievery in government.

  10. ben
    May 7, 2018

    A Big Hater , a former education minister wow SHAMEFUL

  11. viewsexpressed
    May 7, 2018

    This is a real shameful and disgusting article by Rupert Sorhaindo. This language is not in favour of Domininca, but deliberatey aimed at Dr Fontaine, Hon Lennox Linton and the credible United Workers Party (UWP).
    These are two well established politicians, true patriots of Domininca, fighting for good governance that our increasing poverty will be reduced, our suffering poor people and families will be in jobs earning their own incomes, and not subjected to beggars by despicable Skerrit and that the states money and limited resources will no longer be abused and fraudulently and corruptly stolen.
    Sorhaindo, as you taught us at SMA, the ethics of a good education, respect for authority, be it at school or work pace and decency in government and its application to work hard to the benefits of Dominica’s poor people and not abuse the states limited recourses t get at the true patriots who are fighting to have y9ou evicted from the states resources. Sorhaindo a topic for your next…

    • ?????????????????
      May 8, 2018

      Hmmm u like your views expressed. Reread your comments. See how u are insultive, disrespect to the PM & others including the Gentleman who was not disrespectful but only claimed he did not trust what was said about the Gentleman’s appointment. The difference though is he has proven that what he was suspicious about was true, not what was said one (1) year ago.

      It is big plus for one who can read for themselves, understand English & not only listen to your sorry & distasteful comments which is only about the PM, Government and anyone your mind thinks supports the Government. You cannot be even critical thinkers who will dissect an article and bring out the pros and the cons.
      Once is the honorable PM, Labour Party Government or anyone who u think supports the Government hear you hurl insults & all negativity at the person(s). THIS SHOULD STOP. Dominica is in recovery mode. Play your part. Do you see why Isaac and any other forward thinking individual cannot remain in the…

      • viewsexpressed
        May 9, 2018

        “………. See how u are insultive, disrespect to the PM & others including………………” This so called PM of yours has been disrespected to poor people of Domininca for over 18years now and you want to talk about disrespect. You are a questionable?????????????????????? blind loyalist to a very incompetent Pm, the worse that we have seen in Dominica. You want to question (>??????????) matters of state, then focus on the following: who stole and continue to abuse states funds, for eg: The bin Bobol, the Fertilizer Bobol, the Red Clinic Bobol, etc.etc. add the rest.. and now have 18 poorly trained ministers who know nothing of development. Skerrit knows nothing of development only to send scouts out with cash yo buy struggling people support and friendship. Those questionable ???????? you should focus on and not on us patriotic who wish to see our Domininca development.
        Tell us where in Domininca is te development taking place creating jobs etc. And Maria is no excuse…

  12. Michael Norris
    May 7, 2018

    Rupert Sorhaindo, what is your motive for your ongoing effort to bring down Dr. Thomson Fontaine, your former student and colleague? It cannot be for personal wrong he has done to you. You are now resorting to semantics in a ridiculous fashion to tarnish the reputation of Dr. Fontaine.

    Dr. Fontaine is advising the Government of South Sudan. He is responsible for the economic component of the Peace Agreement, which puts him in a senior position on the JMEC. He reports to the Legislature on the work that is being done in that area. It cannot be the case UK Government would recruit a low-level economist for such a position. He is de facto a senior advisor.

    Your campaign to impugn Dr. Fontaine’s character is puerile and shameful. There are so many ills in Dominica. You, a Freedom Fighter in the 1970s for GOOD AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT, choose to ignore these for whatever reasons and instead using your retirement to bring down a good man and a true patriot.

  13. May 7, 2018

    Thanks god, I didn’t waste my time reading that crap :-D :-D :-D

  14. Itassi too
    May 7, 2018

    What most of you don’t know is that Rupert Sorhaindo, like Skerrit is originally from VielleCase and is related to Skerrit. …………..they are friends of Tony and even if Tony was the one that referred to us as cockroaches, they all feel the same way. In fact in the 60’s to late 70’s people like Sorhaindo and those on the white side referred to us on the dark side as “Neg VielleCase” and were haters of labor because they felt labor was a black people party. So I am not surprised that Sorhaindo is teaming up with Tony and Skerrit in attacking Dr. Fontaine today because he is a proud successful black brother.

  15. Shaka Zulu
    May 7, 2018

    Mr. Rupert seeng that you have time on your hands do this research for me. Find out where Dr. Fountain got his PhD, how long it took and what his thesis was on. Also find out how long he worked in the IMF and what projects he has worked on. You keep focusing on his tenure in DAAS and a rumour. Let me know if his phd is false or not and his work at IMF is an embellished story. Then when you are done find out where and how skerrit got his phd what his thesis was and whether it was a recommendation from the crooked sucking salt baroness who only spent 6 months of her life in Dominica. I knew you as an education officer during the time my dad was a school principal. Now i understand why Dominicans are so mentally screwed. When you done with research you will tell me who swimming in deceit. Again Jack a……….

  16. LifeandDeath
    May 7, 2018

    When I was a boy in High school I remember shaking his hand at graduation while I received gifts for some subjects..It was a proud Moment, and indeed I believed these Men were shining examples of what young Men should aspire to be. But, Alas, I am older now and can understand things a bit differently. Life is not only and always what it seems on the surface.
    It makes me wonder why would such a man held in high esteem remain deafeningly silent with regard to the alleged atrocities of the current Government, which by their own doing have spiraled Dominica into a state of chaos and disrepair yet Mr. Sorhaindo only rears his aging and experienced head to expose “deceit” in Thomson Fontaine. Simply to say that he works for the JMEC and ‘NOT’ as an advisor to the Gov’t of South Sudan. If indeed Fontaine works for JMEC, who works in advising Gov’t of SS, then by de facto where is the difference? Dominica mourns for greater use of our intellectuals.. smh!!

  17. Leah
    May 7, 2018

    This is a most disgusting attempt to discredit Thomson Fontaine I am mostly suprised that Mr. Sorhaindo does not see that this article reflects poorly only on him and not on Dr. Fontaine. What is it about supporting Roosevelt Skerrit that turns these guys’ brains to mush? It is rather embarassing.

    • Observer
      May 7, 2018

      He needs to get over himself and get a grip. It is embarrassing and fueled by uncontrollable jealousy.

  18. KID ON THE BLOCK
    May 7, 2018

    Always knew Mr. was playing on the minds of his followers…………

  19. Nacinimod
    May 7, 2018

    A little embellishment and self-promotion does not hurt anyone. Give the Doctor a break.

  20. zandoli
    May 7, 2018

    I read this article and I am left to wonder why Rupert went to such lengths to disrupt his weekend searching high and low, to come up with this piece. Except to accuse Dr. Fontaine of being duplicitous, he had really not said much here. This read like an article about nothing.

    • Amarossa
      May 8, 2018

      I cannot understand that! Charismatic Conference was on. He should have gone to pray for Dominica and all those in high power sucking the country dry.

  21. AA
    May 7, 2018

    Boy Soaks stop the jealousy of the DR and go kiss *** to get yourself a job elsewhere. All of all you BOFA people that are jealous and have hatred of poor people children and are aggrieved when all you see poor people children excelling. Look at your irrelevant *** after how many years of being elite in the Dominica you and your clan have to take the back seat and watch poor people children excel and surpass all you children in achievements and that eating all you up inside. That is why all you will do any and everything possible for all you clan and the BOFA to remain in control, But take time the change is coming to shut all you useless people up, soon come.

  22. Bee
    May 7, 2018

    Thanks for the clarity Rupert. Now it would be equally refreshing if you would also help us shed some light on Dr. Skerrit’s deceptive utterances as well.

  23. Ken
    May 7, 2018

    What is the problem with you “white” Dominicans who have lost the place in society? Thomson is a poor county boy who made good on the world[d stage–now eat your heart out.

  24. KERI
    May 7, 2018

    What is the problem with you “white” Dominicans who have lost the place in society? Thomson is a poor county boy who made g1ood opn the worls[d stage–no

  25. Observer 1
    May 7, 2018

    And your point is?

  26. Shaka Zulu
    May 7, 2018

    Good job Rupert. Why dont you use the same obsession with Thompson to find out the deception of the politicians that run Dominica. You would be serving a greater purpose to the people of Dominica exposing the deception that is currently making Dominica suffer. Instead you here wasting time trying to argue on technicality about the whereabouts of a man who working to advance another country. Based on what you wrote. I see in april fountain did fo to sudan and he is advising government on economics. Is that affecting. You have twenty years of deception to expose so get busy. What a jack a…..!!

  27. shewo
    May 7, 2018

    you make no sense brother.

  28. Josh Shaw
    May 7, 2018

    Rupert the idiot Sorhaindo you spent a year seeking to information to find this? You must not be very intelligent! Or maybe your knowledge of the internet is supremely limited! My gosh! I mean 12 months, wait 52 weeks and after those 52 weeks it still took dno to give you the info! Well you must be a special type of retarded!

  29. Jah Kal
    May 7, 2018

    His is pure garbage from u Sorhaindo thats a brillant young man from Grand Fond u and your goons trying to get thing to say ,thats a poor son of the soil doing very good for himself u cannot stop him look around u first then talk, we know your dirty deeds.

  30. BREAKING POINT
    May 6, 2018

    At least he’s a real doctor,so they would definately need his expertise in that field.

  31. Real!!!!!!
    May 6, 2018

    It seems Dr. Fontaine great accomplishment seems to be hurting Mr. Rupert Sorhaindo.

    Dr. Fontaine a poor black boy from the country area is embraced highly by the INTL committee for his financial skill sets something Rupert Sorhaindo could not accomplish in his science field and he cannot live with these facts.

    Shame on my SMA teacher Rupert!!!!! Due to his heavy sense of grudge for an exceptional accomplished SMA alma mater.

  32. karen
    May 6, 2018

    This should read, “Rupert Sorhaindo deceitfulness ongoing”. This man just cannot stand that Dr. Thompson Fontaine is a Dominican man who excels in all he does.

  33. BREAKING POINT
    May 6, 2018

    So what is the relevance of that story ,what point you trying to make . It has been a whole year and now you want to do research to push your agenda..stupes

  34. Glen
    May 6, 2018

    Peope like you, descendants of white slave masters are surprised and jealous that children of slaves, can achieve their dreams and move to higher heights surpassing people like you.

  35. Glen
    May 6, 2018

    Rupert you better go and smoke a newport

  36. Talk show host
    May 6, 2018

    Mr. Sorhaindo stop grudging Dr. Fontaine? I don’t know what you trying but since you seem to be so obsessed about Dr. Fontain I, as a freedomite, who served in your office, would be gratefull if you would truthfully answer the following questions:
    1. Sir, is it true that while you were the minister for education and sports, between 1990-1994, you used your power to encourage a protest in the Vielle Case constuency against the ministry of works because you felt Ms. Charles was trying to undermine the parlrep?
    2. Sir did you call anyone from that constuency and asked them to park their Subaru car in the way of a backhoe hired by public works, to undermine Mamo & Carbon since she wanted Mr. Carbon to replace as leader of the DFP and you were not in support of him?
    3. Sir is it true that when the said car got damaged by the backhoe you, through your ministry accepted liability without telling cabinet?
    4. Is it true that your office paid for repairs without telling Mamo?

  37. Sorry
    May 6, 2018

    Wow! Bro by your own admission you’re a hater

  38. Kermit
    May 6, 2018

    So basically Thompson lie about that job then. So what was he doing in Sudan? Who is responsible for him going back and forth in Dominica.

    • Kermit
      May 6, 2018

      I don’t think Thompson would lie like that

  39. Yes I
    May 6, 2018

    Wow! Mr. Sorhaindo you in that politics thing? Wow.. :(

  40. Treadstone
    May 6, 2018

    Mr. Sorhaindo, the only thing that I learned from reading your letter is that you have a propensity for the over-use of the exclamation point. It makes you appear like you’ve got a caffeine overdose and very excitable. Getting a mental breakdown over your obsession with Dr. Fontaine is not worth it. Go take a walk, breathe, relax, and please stay away from exclamation points (and coffee)!

  41. Ibo France
    May 6, 2018

    Really? This long, meandering, frivolous story does nothing to edify the readers. It just shows that the writer is a stalker of Dr. Fontaine who is prepared to spend an inordinate amount of time and effort to get dirt on the good doctor. Any man who is so obsessed with another man as to spend countless hours on the Internet to do opposition research on this particular person is nothing more than a menacing busybody.

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