COMMENTARY: A reflection on Dominica’s diplomatic corps and the call for national unity

Ambassador Benjamin

A brief comment on the family of UCLA graduate Dr. McDonald Benjamin and their service to our nation

I wish the DNO family, and our entire nation a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It is only right and proper that I do so, and express gratitude for DNO’s stalwart service in the cause of a free press on Dominica.

We, those of us in the Diaspora committed to honest partnerships in the development cause thought it important to draw a distinction between ourselves, and those gripped by partisan bias. Those seized with such bias went home to vote in the December 6, 2019, general elections,  after being paid to do so via accepting airfare and/or spending money of material value. Such constitutes bribery under any reasoned analysis, was wrong, anti-democratic, lawless and only served to foster further divisions of the kind that has wrecked peace and stability in our country, and divided Diaspora communities.

In this moment when we assailed by the corrupt nature of diplomats appointed by the current regime on Dominica, we state boldly to the world that these people represent the regime of Roosevelt Skerrit, not Dominica

or Dominicans. In doing so, we point out a genuine Dominican of stature who was well suited to the task. We draw attention to Dr. Mcdonald Benjamin, a University of California at Los Angeles PhD in food technology. We make mention of his noble family, with which we worked over more than thirty years of voluntary service, as part of efforts to promote our island, by the Dominica Association of Washington, DC in the 1980s. That family has served Dominica in diplomacy and development cause productively and with distinction.

At a time when our nation’s reputation in diplomatic circles is questionable to say the least, we thought it useful to share this note on Ambassador McDonald Benjamin, his wife Angela Benjamin (once Dominica’s representative at the Food & Agriculture Organization – FAO) and their children Dr McDonald Benjamin and Alessandra Benjamin. During the time we have known them they served Dominica with honor and distinction at no salary.

During that time the family worked closely with the Dominican Association of Washington DC on various community and national development projects without any reference to partisanship or party colors – even where I was not a personal supporter of the ruling Dominica Freedom Party. They never once asked any members of our Dominica Association of their political leanings or even dared to secure Dominicans in the Diaspora to come down and vote for the ruling party. From my perspective, they served our nation with honor and without fear or favor. Not a word of criticism was heard of Dr. Benjamin and his family in their diplomatic representation, and not one hint of scandalous activity arose during their tenure. That the entire family was enrolled in service to Dominica was made clear in this article by the Washington Post some time ago. See

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1988/12/29/embassy-is-family-affair/6145673c-0836-44ff-9e77-4638e1168c80/

Following the Benjamin family’s assistance rendered to rebuild Dominica following Hurricane Maria in 2017, I thought it wise to capture their history of service to our nation here https://rebuilddominica.org/2018/01/15/a-bio-note-on-dr-mcdonald-benjamin-a-family-legacy-of-service/

Today things are different in the governance of Dominica. The anti-democratic changes are alarming and do not bode well for the unity and prosperity of our nation. The disreputable nature of our diplomatic corps as profiled by Al Jazeera and other media is Exhibit 1 in this decline. It was not always this way. Hence the importance of this historical note.

We must remind ourselves that the role of an ambassador is that of public servant; someone who serves the national interest, not the party or the Prime Minister’s interest. However, we are now plagued with ambassadors who are party hacks. Our ambassadorial appointees are a grab bag of money launderers, party campaign managers, as with Ambassador to the US Vince Henderson or Diaspora vote organizers for the ruling party, as with Ambassador to the UN Loreen Bannis and others.

Long-time civil servants such as Felix Gregoire, who I remember meeting at the home of Ambassador Benjamin, never speak out against the dishonor and shame brought upon our nation before the entire world by the appointment of crooks and criminals to represent us as diplomats. Yet Gregoire points fingers at the opposition as the source of Dominica’s divisions and failures, without a word of condemnation of the wrongs inflicted by those who have been in power for two decades. Surely, the Opposition on Dominica is not without its flaws, but does it appoint diplomats? Does it run the functions of state? Is it the manager of national fiscal policy or overall national development? Who then must be charged with our dismal economic performance or dishonorable diplomats?  How can a nation unite around wrong, Mr. Gregoire? Can we ever truly unite around such dishonorable or biased shaping of our diplomatic corps? What really is it you desire we accept? I welcome all efforts at unity, but one cannot unite around wrong.

A diplomat represents the nation and should reflect the best values of unbiased and professional public service. Our tradition on Dominica is one of having a professional and nonpartisan public and police service. Can we honestly state today that we have a professional and nonpartisan public and police service? Why then are we seeing the habit adopted where senior public and police officials dress in red, the color of the Dominica Labour Party? How can the nation’s coffers or policing be integrity-driven when the auditor general and senior policemen are on radio in strident advocacy of the ruling party?

Are we to meekly accept this openly biased conduct by those who are supposed to be public, not party, servants?  Are  diplomats like Dominica born  Francine Baron,  Nigerian  Allison Madueke or the Iranian Ali Reza Monfared really representatives of the nation,  sworn to uphold the public interest without  fear or favor? What have they done for the nation in way of superior statecraft, honesty before international fora, productivity or alliance-building that fosters progress in our country?

This is a moment for all Dominicans to calmly reflect on the character of our nation. We must study the greatness we have achieved among our people and solemnly commit to escaping this abyss of lawlessness, bias, ignorance and subpar performance that has captured key segments of the state apparatus. We must always strive to rise above that which makes a mockery of our proven intelligence as a people.

Let us work diligently to promote the best of Dominica and always ally with those who can prosper our entire nation, not just the ruling elite.

In the best spirit of diplomacy, dialogue and national concord, honest Dominicans are prepared to sit in a national unity conference. Such an assembly would have to be inclusive of civil society and be presided over by a reputable/experienced world-class convener. It would have to be conducted in an open and transparent manner. It would have to be carried life and all issues – including elections and electoral reform – would have to be on the table. In that context, we can honestly address what needs to be done to rebuild our broken nation.  I note here that not one debate – outside the parliament – has ever been had between the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader. However, is the Prime Minister ready for such open and public dialogue and debate within the democratic culture of respectful give and take?

Honest and well-meaning Dominicans are ready for such a peaceful assembly, without loud music, horn blowing and party colors. In the best tradition of real diplomacy and peacemaking in this Christmas season, that is the finest expression of gratitude we can render Dr. Benjamin and that great generation of leaders that brought us self-government, self-respect and independence.

Dr. McDonald Benjamin was not only a development expert in agriculture but a man of peace. He was a  fine diplomat and certainly would not want his people to be at each other’s throats because of a  failure to sit and engage honest dialogue.  His entire family was committed to the honor and unity of our nation

In this moment of national crisis where our democracy has foundered, we salute the family of Dr McDonald Benjamin and those who bring honor to our land.

If we fail to take stock now and act wisely, may God have mercy on us all because history shall not.

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33 Comments

  1. December 28, 2019

    “I wish the DNO family, and our entire nation a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

    What is genuine about that line above, followed by the web of futility that you wrote below?

    Your choice to refer to one man and his family makes this message even more hypocritical; he would decline to be part of this conversation of darkness.

    Just because you chose to take sides pertaining to the social and economic works in Dominica, doesn’t mean that your choice is profound–the majority of Dominicans are contented or comfortable with what they have, otherwise they would not choose the same leader for the past 20 years.

    Your thesis is based on personal grievances, just like the rest, PM Skerrit is your obsession.

    “I note here that not one debate – outside the parliament”

    The debated you are calling for is well presented here. Lennox is not qualified to debate publicly with PM Skerrit. He doesn’t have the etiquette to go with such matters.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      December 31, 2019

      Shut up Elizabeth; as evil and conniving as you are, you are not in any position to have anything critical to say about anybody comments.

      Your new found purpose in life is to defend the bloody corrupted crook Roosevelt Skerrit, continue to be his tool of defense, let satan be your guide to the day you enter hell to burn!

      DNO affords you the privilege to express yourself; nevertheless, nobody like you nor the foolishness you write, so just enjoy the privilege and remember without me you would not have known Roosevelt existed!

      That is the worst mistake of my life!

    • Zep
      December 31, 2019

      I will give the writer of this post a little credit he was honest. if you read the sub title it states “A BRIEF comment on the family of UCLA graduate Dr. McDonald.” BRIEF is the key word there, he kept his word and made it very, very brief then he goes of on a TIRADE, what a sad and despicable way to write an article honouring a good man and his family. Shame on you Mr. Lawyer

  2. December 28, 2019

    It is unfortunate that those articles are being posted without a genuine identity.

    How do we know that it is not the same person sending them? Their themes are all the same; pointing out all so-called wrong or corrupt of the Government as per Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

    And yet at no time do they refer to the oppression created by the UWP with Lennox Linton as their Leader; a practice which started from the day he became the Leader of the Opposition.

    The December 06 election is well printed on the writer/writers’ mind but nowhere is the mention of the harassment that the people endured for days before December 06.

    The civil unrest only seized when PM Skerrit called for the RSS intervention, had he not done that, it certainly would have been worse at the end of the election.

    What does this contribute to the minds of our young generation, if not downright futility? But they think they are speaking on their behalf.

  3. Dom
    December 27, 2019

    That piece reads like a Gabu production. Actually, Gabu, that Al Jezera video exposed the Leader of the Opposition as dishonest and crooked. All the damage being done in Dominica is perpetrated by the political opposition. They are so desperate for power that they are willing to do and say anything that will accrue to that level of power. So be honest, Gabu and tell the truth.

  4. greshman
    December 27, 2019

    I think those Christians brothers like to call tooooo much attention on themselves. I did not read the entire write-up, but I am sure at some point the writers name is in there or an experience of his.

  5. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    December 27, 2019

    “Those seized with such bias went home to vote in the December 6, 2019, general elections,  after being paid to do so via accepting airfare and/or spending money of material value. Such constitutes bribery under any reasoned analysis, was wrong, anti-democratic, lawless and only served to foster further divisions of the kind that has wrecked peace and stability in our country, and divided Diaspora communities.” (Benjamin).

     Words of truth which a corrupted mind of the ignorant low life will never be able to comprehend.

    There are people who only care about Roosevelt rein of terror, and hunger over the people of Dominica.

    Most of them are living off welfare in America, and Canada, they live for that one day every five years for the bribe to return home to vote, allowing Roosevelt to remain in power, nevertheless; they themselves will not ever return to the very undeveloped, most backward poor place on the planet to live.

    Will continue:

    • December 30, 2019

      Telemaque now you are only blaming one side for brining people down to vote and at the same time you are degrading your country by calling it undeveloped. Why don’t you do your home work before crying down your fellow country men, because UWP was also over seas begging people to come down and vote. You sound so desperate that you will say thing like they are on welfare, if that is true i guest that they work so they can collect their welfare check .Now you on the other hand living off other people in your own words you said, you went out with a woman and made her pay four your meal that make you a blood sucker what make you think because you support Linton that you are any different. Go ahead and make that donation that they are asking for to go to court. you are no better than the same people you are crying down. Yare nothing more than a leach

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        December 31, 2019

        Wallace, I am not sharing any blame; to be honest I do not see too much wrong with a Dominican living out of Dominica spending their personal money to buy a ticket to go home and vote.

        Nevertheless, where one man is privilege to use the nation resources (money) to charter Aircraft, and fly the people he bribes with money, and a ticket specifically to return and vote for him is indeed a crime; it is a crime of felony.

        If Dominica was a place where there is rule of law, Roosevelt and every member of his party would be arrested and charged for election bribery.

        Look, I am an American by citizenship, assuming I decided to return home to live, or Germany, or England where I lived. I can continue to vote in every and all elections in the US.

        All the law requires is that an absentee ballet be sent to me, I vote my choice, and mail the ballet in prior to the day of election.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        December 31, 2019

        So, whereas none of the opposition parties in Dominica have the resources as Roosevelt has to bribe people to return to vote!

        In order to level the playing field, perhaps at this point, we should be thinking of a system such as existing in America, by introducing the absentee ballet, so that every party and candidate in Dominica can have a chance of serving our people and country.

        Roosevelt will continue for the rest of his life bribing people with tickets and money; and mind you he cannot sue me for stating so because I know  people who have distributed tickets and money this past election; and that is not they say okay!

        Wallace one of the Dominica problem is that our people are not politically educated; the like the name labor, they like free money and plane ride, but after they vote and leave, the country lags behind lacking progress, they come back to America living off food stamps.

        I am not taking Dominica down; it is the truth!

    • December 30, 2019

      Telemaque I think you should continue to stay away from DNO’s comment board because you contribute nothing and you are always confused about what you read.

      The person (it may even be your friend for that old forum) used that “Benjamin” fellow to flourish his/her message–the man has nothing to do with that message as you indicated.

      And the rest of what you wrote is pure confusion with the same old song–people living on welfare blah blah blah–which is none of your business.

      You rely on the poor people in Los Angeles to make a living, taking rent payment from them, otherwise where and what would you be? Now think about that!

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        December 31, 2019

        You see you (that ole woman der) you can rest and be ashore you are going to jail in you old age and days!

        I do not only rent to poor people as you say in Los Angeles; I rent to working class people who gets up every morning and go to work.

        Some are civil servants, people such as school teachers, firemen, and police officers, people you can find working in the courts of Los Angeles.

        I invited you to come and spend the holidays with me here you did not even respond, and that is because you are broke, and all the support you gave to that blasted crook, that corrupted soul Roosevelt, he has not paid you one dime, for services to him Roosevelt the devil, are all for free.

        Yes, Elizabeth it is the welfare recipients, those of you living off the Canadian, and American Taxpayers welfare system who runs to Dominica and vote for the crook Roosevelt allowing him to keep Dominica down.

  6. John James
    December 27, 2019

    Why use the legacy of Dr. Benjamin, a man who served as our Ambassador under Dame Eugenia Charles as to spread falsehoods about the very same Dominica, he served with distinction? This commentary is replete with fake news – alternative facts. It has nothing to do with promoting the good work that the former Ambassador did for and on behalf. The partisan driven drivel which pervades this piece is yet another demonstration that the opposition and its mouth pieces, both at home and abroad have not yet recognized that the Dominican people have spoken and have spoken loudly. And there was, still is every good reason to have voted the way they did at the December 6th general elections. No amount of requiem for past service to Dominica can erase the fact that the people of Dominica voted the way they did.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      December 27, 2019

      If you believe the people of Dominica spoke in the last election, I must submit to you that something is absolutely wrong with you mentally.

      Guy there are people whom have not lived in Dominica for fifty years and more who was brought back to Dominica on chartered flights specifically to vote for the crook Roosevelt Skerrit. The funny thing about it is that; some of the people who assists in the distribution of tickets and money to the waste of time low life welfare recipients are ignorant people who themselves are unable to read or write.

      When they stand next to Roosevelt to take a photograph, they feel great, they think they are important, not knowing the damage they have done for the past twenty years of assisting in this criminal activity which serves no other purpose to keep Roosevelt happy getting rich.

      One of the fools I know distributing money and tickets some of his family are the poorest in Dominica; the fool would probably kill for Roosevelt!

  7. Dalit
    December 27, 2019

    Another Gabu POS propaganda pushed by the Blue DNO.

    He didn’t even sign it with his name because he knows what the reaction would be.

    • Mr. Zeplin
      December 27, 2019

      Everyone who has been on DNO over the years should recognize Mr. Christian’s writing, the substance, theme & style blew his cover. No need to hide, you are safe, Dominica is NOT the dictatorship you have been propagating over the years.
      Another embarrassed, big mouth, Mr. Know All COWARD.

  8. Dddddd
    December 27, 2019

    @Anon, what are the achievements of the current abassadors, other than personal and self gain?

    • December 28, 2019

      @Ddddd, just answer the question. From your response it appears that you don’t have an answer for this simple question. All you all can do is play dirty politics.

  9. Ibo France
    December 27, 2019

    There will be no social cohesion in Dominica once Skerrit occupies the Office of the Prime Minister. The man’s main strategy is to divide and rule by using the resources of the impoverished State. He cannot play fair otherwise he will lose office. Where there is injustice a country will experience continuous instability, stubborn poverty and a mostly disgruntled citizenry. I’ve asked this question numerous times. Why is it that Dominica is the most backward place in all of the Eastern Caribbean? There has to be reasons for this. The answer is CORRUPTION and POOR GOVERNANCE. Dominica should be the bread basket of the sub region but presently it is a basket case. It relies strictly on CBI monies and alms from friendly countries for its economic survival. The future of generations of Dominicans yet unborn is at risk.

    • December 28, 2019

      You bunch of hypocrites. Ibo France do you know what good governance is? Is good governance the promising of diplomatic positions for campaign financing to the tune of 400 thousand dollars from an unknown who was only known as Ambassador A. Aljezera exposed the UWP as OJ and David Bruney personal lawyer of Lennox was trying to sell a diplomatic position for 400k. You all are just a bunch of wicked people.

  10. msav
    December 27, 2019

    RESEARCH BEFORE PRINTING FASLEHOOD

    Whoever wrote this article , I strongly suggest that you do the relevant research before printing such falsehood. Otherwise it is to betray a malicious intent. PLEASE NOTE THAT FACILITATING PEOPLE TO VOTE BY PAYING FOR THEIR TRANSPORTATION CANNOT BE BRIBERY UNDER ANY LAW IN ANY NATION. IT IS BRIBERY ONLY IF YOU DO SO ON THE CONDITION THAT YOU INSIST THAT THEY VOTE IN A PARTICULAR WAY. IN OTHER WORDS IF THERE IS A QUID PRO QUO.

    I have worked for the DEMOCRATIC PART IN THE UNITED STATES where we did the same on election day. However we were under the clear instruction, not to request that the individuals who were were facilitating to vote in any particular way .

    WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS OVER AND OVER IN DOMINICA. PLEASE NO NOT PRINT SUCH GARBAGE.

  11. December 27, 2019

    What was Mr. McDonald’s achievements as Ambassador?

    • Ibo France
      December 27, 2019

      This is precisely the biggest problem with Domini. Whenever someone offers up food for thought about the economic and political situation at present in Dominica, the person’s character, past and even that of his relatives is viciously besmirched by Skerrit’s unlearned minions. They cannot win a well reasoned argument or debate so they stoop to character assassination and question your intellectuality. Attack the message ne not the messenger.

      • J.John-Charles
        December 27, 2019

        I took note of the statement made by MSAV.
        “I have worked for the Democratic Part…in the United States Where we do the same on election day”

        The Republican party want voters to show an ID before voting.On the order hand, Democrats say never.It will disenfranchise Blacks and Hispanics.In other words they are showing you how low they have us,they are saying blacks are too ignorant and so stupid,that we are unable to go to the Motor Vehicle Commission and get a photo I.D. free of charge.
        Now why don’t he and others like him come before election day take us to MVC for an ID. But no,they want blacks to see themselves as victims, unable to take responsibility of their lives.
        DNO, happy New Year, and thanks for the good work.Please continue.

        • Parallels
          December 27, 2019

          Hey JJ, wrong place to come spitting out Republicans stuff. Both they and the Dems (whom i don’t care much for) have been infiltrated by white Supremacists anyway, and yes the Republicans in addition to losing cases recently on gerrymandering along racial lines have gone as far as closing several MVC/DMV locations in rural areas that they targeted as predominantly Black in some states they control. They are not deemed ignorant nor stupid, they are disenfranchised. It has backfired bc the poor whites were most affected, and there are many more of them than there are poor Blacks. Get off that white horse Big guy.

        • December 28, 2019

          I don’t know where you work. But this is just misleading I am an US. citizen and there is what they call a voters registration card when you become a citizen they issue this card to you there is no photo on it, your name your social security number & date of birth and also your address. The problem with voters ID in D/CA. people don’t change address when they move so there is a problem. If you live in lets say Grand bay and you move to Portsmouth when election you have to go back to Grand bay to vote because you did not change address.

        • December 29, 2019

          @J John-Charles, courts in the us have thrown out voter ID laws because they find it a restriction to voting. Why should there be a specific id for voting when there are other forms of ID that can be used. They don’t require picture id or any id to vote in England, they just have to give their name and address.

    • Anon to Anon
      May 26, 2022

      Before he became Ambassador, he earned a PhD in Business Administration at UCLA, and was speechwriter for the Governor of California. He later established a Cooperative Program between the UN’s Food and Agriculture and the World Bank, that prepares billions of dollars in projects for farmers around the world. He worked with Sir Arthur Lewis to set up the Caribbean Development Bank in Barbados, and later the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development in Rome, which catalyzed the birth of microfinance via its seminal support for Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. After a life of service to help poor farming families around the world, he wanted to volunteer to help his beloved Dominica. He worked for free as Ambassador to the USA and Italy and made his home and car available for free for the Embassy, while mobilizing more than US$23 million in grants and cheap loans for Dominica’s farmers, and boosting tourism. He worked with honesty to give Dominica an intelligent, respected…

  12. Realist
    December 26, 2019

    You made no mention of the violence that took place in Dominica and who was responsible. Why didn’t you disparage the leader of the UWP and the UWP by extension? Sir or madam, you are nothing but a hypocrite. If UWP had won through their intimidation you be elated. My advice to you is lick your wounds and lament the defeat and demise of the UWP in private; no public display of sorrow.

  13. Realist
    December 26, 2019

    Whoever you are sir or madam, you asked that do we have a nonpartisan public service? It is fundamentally clear that the man in charge of the public servants speaks and acts UWP. The only reason he has not caused chaos in the country is because the majority of civil servants do not care for UWP and are not UWP supporters. You divulge your hypocritical stance for peaceful assembly. Are you aware of what took place in Dominica a week leading up to the election?

  14. mine
    December 26, 2019

    Sir, may god have mercy on you for being a hypocrite because UWP bought voters down and also give them tickets. The election is over get over it. You are just as bad as the uwpes.

  15. Child of Itassi
    December 26, 2019

    Skerrit accepted Nigerian “blood money” from Madueke (now in jail), Iranian “ill gotten gains” from Monfared (now in jail) and now he’s caught by “the monkey trap” set by irreligious China. He really thinks he is doing the right thing for Dominica which euphorically dances while drinking his red cool-aid saying “Con tambou ka bat, nou ka dansé.

    Proverbs 15:16
    Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.

  16. Galileo
    December 26, 2019

    You guys have to politicize everything. This grudge for Roosevelt Skerrit will kill you all. This would have been such an excellent piece if you had not contaminated it with your political venom.

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