Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne is speaking out against the Jamaican government’s move to put forward its Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General.
The Prime Minister’s Office in Jamaica said Johnson Smith has held several crucial leadership posts, both regionally and internationally, which make her an excellent candidate.
However, Browne said over the weekend that the decision could divide the Caribbean, referring to CARICOM’s support for the incumbent Secretary-General, Dominica-born Baroness Patricia Scotland.
“I know Kamina very well and I have no doubt she would make a good secretary general but the politics of it is that Antigua and Barbuda cannot support Jamaica’s position,” Browne said.
He recalled that for the last couple of years, certain member states and individuals have been “hounding Baroness Scotland”, saying that “they exaggerated stories about her, trying to bring her tenure to and end”
Furthermore, Browne said it is unclear why there’s a need to emasculate Scotland’s term in office.
“I think they are using Jamaica as a stumbling horse…I don’t believe they have the support within CARICOM. It will promote division within CARICOM…I don’t know why they would want to use one CARICOM candidate against the other…”, he added.
He said Jamaica is setting a dangerous precedent by bringing forward Johnson Smith.
“My advice to Jamaica’s Prime Minister is not to waste such an excellent candidate on this race but to preserve her for the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dominica has called on the 54-member Commonwealth grouping to re-elect its General Secretary, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for a second consecutive term saying that despite the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and climate change, she has “laid a solid foundation to look at solutions for our countries in the future”.
Skerrit, in a letter to the Commonwealth governments, recalled that the Dominica-born Scotland, who was first appointed to the position in 2015, had a mandate “to reform the Commonwealth Secretariat and to advocate and to be a voice for those of our countries without a voice.”
“In her first term she delivered on reform and on change; she delivered on partnerships and innovation for the benefit of our countries; she delivered on good offices and democracy. She successfully braved the challenges of the climate crisis and of the COVID-19 pandemic and has laid a solid foundation to look at solutions for our countries in the future,” Skerrit said in his March 23 letter
Scotland is the second Secretary-General from the Caribbean and the first woman to hold the post.
Scotland was elected to the post at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta in 2015. and her re-election is scheduled to take place during the June 20-25 Commonwealth summit in Kigali, Rwanda.
Scotland is the second Secretary-General from the Caribbean and the first woman to hold the post.
In its statement announcing that Johnson-Smith would be seeking to replace Scotland, the Office of the Prime Minister in Jamaica described her as “eminently qualified for the post” and that she has “held several crucial leadership posts both regionally and internationally.”
“Her qualifications for the post of Secretary-General, including her high moral character, diplomatic and political acumen, proven competence, and commitment to the work of the Commonwealth make her an excellent candidate,” the statement continued.
The election of the Commonwealth Secretary-General is set to take place in June at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda.
The fact that this Scotland woman is supported by Skerrit, is a compelling reason for me NOT to support her. It’s really as simple as that. Case closed!
No matter what you slaves mentally says Baroness Scotland, is well known in high places and will still be the winner 🏆 at the end.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He is good at batting the loose balls, good at eating fungi, not too good at sucking salt. lol
Wow you guys lacks any credibility and integrity. What this have to do with your filthy politics? Goodness..Gracious..this is beyond idiotic behavior. You guys must be living a very miserable lifestyle. Honestly, you’ll behaving like Ignoramuses. Why all this bitterness and hatred spouting nonsense? Folks live is too short. Get rid of the rottenness from your hearts.
Dominicans are not monolithic in their thinking. Some are wise and others are otherwise. When everyone thinks alike there is no thinking. Diverse viewpoints should be encouraged and cherished.
That guy Ibo, is something else he hates everything about Dominican people he is mentally ill to the core, any how I will not be wasteing my time replying to such a ahole in the future good bye Ibo you are Doom.
It’s a good day. Breaking News has it that Baroness Scotland’s quest for a second term has been soundly rejected by most members of the Commonwealth.
She would have been forced out about two years ago but the pandemic saved her. She was not fit for the post despite her polished English, her powdered face and her resplendent attire.
Baroness Scotland, Gaston Browne and Barbara al-Skerrit can go and drown their sorrows at a bar in a 10-star hotel.
Trust a Dominican not to support his own. This has proven to be the case throughout my 53 years on this earth.
Most comments are for the against. Does that ring a familiar bell?
Dominican? famille wehchen . Twet.
@Cobra, it’s rediculous to expect all Dominicans to fall at the alter of the author of the “go and suck salt” utterance to those citizens who didn’t vote for Skerritt. Her statement reflected her disdain for us. She has never apologized for this reprehensible and gutter attitude towards thousands of Dominicans. Patricia was the choice of the British and used her Dominican birth to get her the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth. The Queen and British are not enamored with the work done by Patricia and since in the real world people get to keep their job based on good performance, the Baroness put herself in the predicament she’s in. Stop insulting intelligent Dominicans because Patricia proved that she wasn’t suitable for the post. We’ll let Patricia suck on her own salt. The average Dominican person doesn’t get to vote for Secretary General of the Commonwealth and you should know that. Your own words prove you are a Twet.
I hear you there however that was her misjudged opinion. On the more serious topic of being considered to continue her role which she has been in through serious and trying times and of extreme challenges I think we should put the past comment aside and recognize her contribution and difference she has made at the helm of the Commonwealth.
@Cobra, what outstanding work did Patricia do at the secretariat? During the Covid-19 pandemic we all heard and saw the leaders at the UN advocating for the member countries and the poor people of the planet but where was Patricia? I don’t recall her recorded advocacy for member states of the Commonwealth, many of whom are the poorest countries in the world and who needed the most assistance. The US gave almost expired vaccines to many countries without the attendant infrastructure and support to get shots in arms. Where was Patricia to speak up for and on behalf of members of the Commonwealth? You think that because you and Skerritt say that she did a great job then your opinion is solid gold? I consume a lot of media and read a lot of credible news sources and don’t recall Patricia saying anything of relevance during the peak of the pandemic. She became irrelevant and the media saw her as such. Good riddance, Patricia and you overstayed the welcome, Baroness. Suck salt
her misjudged opinion tell us her true character.
she stooped very low……….and she was very comfortable doing it for Skerrit,
that was very unbecoming of a Head of Commonwealth……there is too much RUBBISH under de rug…….she having trouble walking straight and you encouraging to put more stuff under de rug for her to fall and burst her face…….well your dream is becoming a reality
Browne and Skerrit alone that openly supporting her……why you doh call on de other leaders in Caricom to come out too
What contributions Cobra, name them.
Dominicans are not monolithic in their thinking. Some are wise and others are otherwise. When everyone thinks alike there is no thinking. Diverse viewpoints should be encouraged and cherished.
I am sorry Gaston. Patricia is a Dominican by birth although she left our shores at the age of two. I dare say this Dominican knows her better than you and she has embarrassed us, not least by stating dismissively that those of us who do not support Skerrit should go and suck salt. The queen is aware of this and she is the head of the Commonwealth, not Patricia Scotland, and I would prefer another candidate.
That’s what I always talk about. CARIBBEAN UNITY. There is no such thing. We are more divided than anything else. We don’t look out and try to build each other up. The evidence is very clear.
Gaston Brown has forgotten the facts so let me remind him. First it was Skerritt who failed to attend the afternoon session of the Caricom meeting in Dominca when the subgrouping was selecting it’s candidate for the post of Secretary general. He went along with the British to have the Baroness put forward over the preferred candidate who other Caribbean countries wanted. That was dividing the region, Gaston. However out of this backroom deal with the British candidate of Dominican heritage the region united and she got the job. She proved to be untrustworthy and brought the office into disrepute according to reports. I’m sure that Jamaica wouldn’t just pull a rabbit out of a hat but would have done it’s homework to ensure their candidate has a realistic chance of success. I personally have no loyalty to the Baronmess especially after her famous suck salt comment and I hope she is sent to suck some salt with a loss in June. What goes around comes around, Gaston.
Take a good look at the photo of Baroness Scotland. Her hair well groomed: her faced well powdered, her lips well adorned; her attire well suited and fitted; she looks well dignified. You see a man’s outward appearance but you don’t see his heart. She reminds me of these sayings – Looks are deceiving; Don’t judge a book by the cover; A smiling face doesn’t mean a smiling heart.
You also have to remember that she once the AG of England under the former Administration of the once Exchequer of England, therefore, she has to look debonair and attractive and professional whilst, the Jamaican nominee only eats ackee and saltfish for lunch.
Brothers from different mothers “ Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.“
The monumental errors are Baroness Scotland’s own doing.
‘Antigua P.M. bats for Baroness Scotland’ I only hope that he gets bowled first ball.
He is good at batting the loose balls, good at eating fungi, not too good at sucking salt. lol
Skerrit and Brown batting for Baroness Scotland? So Satan and the Devil are not the same then? Do they ever play against each other?
– Ask Choksi…
-Ask Liat…
– Ask Alex Saab Moran, who is now arrested in Miami Florida and has entered into a plea deal with FBI and is vomiting everything inside
– Ask the late John Ashe, who was on the verge of dying a mysterious death the day before he vomited everything that was inside of him. In case you still have doubts the…
– Ask any of the notorious money launderers around the world and see if they will not tell you that Satan and the Devil are two of the same and are always batting for each othe
When Baroness Scotland told Dominicans to go and suck salt she automatically disqualified herself from a next term. That’s gutter talk unbefitting for this position she now holds.
A rogue like Gaston Browne agitating for a second term for this uncouth lady is unsurprising. He, too, uses very colourful and demeaning words to describe his own people.
Roosevelt Skerrit is Gaston Brown’s pet parrot. Mr. Browne fooled him to reinvest LIAT. Throwing money into an unprofitable misadventure. Then dragged him into the Choski international mess, further soiling Dominca’s already tarnished name. These are two of the region’s worst autocrats who are most undeserving of the positions they hold.
What improvements have Dominicans received with this phony, coldhearted character? No second term for her. Good riddance! Let the voting begin.
Owei. it’s time for Ms Scotland to move on. The Dominican born is neck high in imperialist ideals. This present moment, the baton has to change. Speaking truth to power cannot be done with Ms Scotland towing the coat tails of Englands historical CRIME against HUMANITY. Ms Scotland has shown her hand , on whose side she is standing with the call for REPARATIONS,very callous of her. The Slavery and Colonial States, today called the Commonwealth is what one would call a DOG with no teeth, they STAND for NOTHIN and FALL for ANYTHIN. Mr Brown is wrong and also the rest of his likeminded. Some one not COLD HARDENED is needed to advance the cause. not one sleeping in the basement of IMPERIALISM.
so i guess you now accept that you made a monumental error in 2015 when you proposed Sanders against Scotland when she was first proposed by Skerrit eh Browne……….what gives man!!!
de pot calling de kettle black
you and Scotland can start sucking salt!
we here in Dominica do not all support her either…….it will divide CARICOM? what do you and de other CARICOM leaders care that we are seriously divided on that issue in Dominica ever since 2015!!!!!
Guyana had their own candidate too i think………MR Holness more power to you and your candidate.
Skerrit knows very well that de Scotland issue has caused serious division among his own people………but what does he really care. look he slapping us in de face again to strengthen de division in Dominica.
CARICOM will survive well without Scotland…….she deserves to suck her own salt that she throw on us!!!!!!
Brown Paper Bag and Skerritt are working together as a tag-team. They both like good old fashioned jollies in Dubai and elsewhere. Know your Caribbean History. We could not keep the Federation together because of Jamaica and Trinidad. The Federal Palm and Federal Maple could not survive, because we were not unified, till this present day.
The UWP crooks,liars,traitors and betrayers is never going to bat for Scotland,wait and see.Suffering from house NIG symdrmeLike a house NIG selling his mother into prostitution for a slice of cheese from masters table.That is Uwp.
“Well! well! well! what a difference does a day make”; didn’t Gaston Brown oppose the said Baroness when she was first nominated as a candidate for Commonwealth SG? hummmm!! I wonder what monumental error he is talking about. By the way has Skerrit and Baroness Scotland ever revealed to the nation how much was given/collected on behalf of Dominica following the passage of hurricane Maria? so much for “her good offices and Democracy”.
Sorry, but from the time this woman made her “sousay sel” remark, I wrote her off. If this is not the height of insensitivity, then I don’t know what is. I don’t care what she’s accomplished. YOU DON’T say these things to poor struggling people. You just DON’T!
Sorry, I’m a born Dominican, but I’m rooting for the Jamaican woman.