Monfared (right) who he appointed as a “Dominica” diplomat. Another shady foreigner provided
with a diplomatic passport whose appointment to such high office was never announced in the
Dominica Gazette.
Visa restrictions imposed by the United Kingdom on the Commonwealth of Dominica on July 19, 2023, are set to have profound and far-reaching consequences. This essay aims to explore and highlight the devastating effects of these restrictions on Dominica and its people.
Despite the protestations of Roosevelt Skerrit that his government engaged in robust vetting of passport sales applicants, the UK government disagreed. In a blistering condemnation of the Skerrit regime, the UK government accused it of a “clear and evident abuse of the CBI program.”
Indeed, democracy activists have been warning for at least a decade or more of the rogues gallery who were arrested while in the position of “Dominican diplomats.” Skerrit has never ever come clean with a commission of inquiry into that catastrophic series of diplomatic appointments and why in heaven’s name such crooks came to hold such exalted positions as diplomats of Dominica.
A call for such a commission of inquiry into the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program was made almost a decade ago.
See here – https://thewardpost.com/a-call-to-responsible-action-response-to-dominicas-cbi-program/
The enormous damage to Dominica’s reputation cannot be denied. Truly, the action of the United Kingdom government was fully expected and others may follow in imposing sanctions on our nation. This was totally unnecessary as Skerrit was warned about his misconduct in office for many years and took no heed to cease and desist from his behavior. The only consolation we have as a nation is that none of those arrested were Dominicans. The entire lineup of arrested diplomats are foreign associates of Skerrit who got diplomatic passports under his watch.
Who are these people? Here is a small sampling of a few of those arrested diplomats.
1. Ng Lap Seng – A Chinese mobster and money launderer. Arrested by the FBI, convicted, and jailed.
2. Francesco Corallo, appointed as Ambassador of Dominica to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization- An Italian mobster, tax evader, and money launderer. Arrested by Italian police.
3. Allision Madueke, the disgraced Nigerian Minister of Oil, who defrauded her nation of an estimated 9 billion
dollars. A money launderer. Arrested by Scotland Yard.
4. Theobald Beosingh- A Belgian neo-Nazi appointed as Ambassador to Ireland. Ireland rejected his appointment.
5. The Iranian spy, UN sanctions buster, and money launderer Alireza Monfared. Arrested by Interpol. Jailed and awaiting possible execution by Iran for larceny and other criminal acts.
What are the consequences of such irresponsible behavior by the Skerrit government?
1. Economic Setbacks:
The imposition of visa restrictions by the UK severely limits the ability of Dominicans to travel, study, work, or establish business connections in the UK. This restriction will hamper economic growth and opportunities, as individuals no longer have easy access to the UK market to seek employment or establish business ventures.
Dominica’s industries, such as tourism and services, will suffer as potential investors, tourists, and students are deterred by the added complications of obtaining a visa.
2. Education and Skills Drain:
The UK has always been a prime destination for Dominican students seeking higher education. Visa restrictions will limit their ability to pursue educational opportunities in the UK, resulting in a skills drain and hindering the development of a highly educated workforce. As a consequence, Dominica’s ability to compete in an increasingly globalized and knowledge-based economy will be compromised, negatively impacting long-term growth and development.
3. Diplomatic Relations:
Visa restrictions from the UK strain the diplomatic relations between the two nations. This may lead to a deterioration of diplomatic ties, reduced cooperation, and strained bilateral negotiations. The perception of a strained relationship can also negatively impact Dominica’s standing among other international partners, potentially affecting international aid, trade, and investment opportunities.
4. Social and Cultural Isolation:
Visa restrictions create a sense of isolation for Dominicans who have family and cultural ties to the UK. The inability to visit loved ones, attend important events, or connect with the diaspora community in the UK carries significant emotional and psychological impact. Furthermore, it limits cultural exchange, collaboration, and mutual understanding between the two nations, hindering the development of strong people-to-people connections.
5. Global Reputation and Perception:
The imposition of visa restrictions by the UK casts a shadow over Dominica’s reputation globally. It may be
misconstrued as a reflection of the country’s security concerns or immigration issues, leading to negative perceptions among other nations and potential investors. The stigma associated with visa restrictions can hinder foreign direct investment, tourism, and collaborations, impacting Dominica’s overall economic prospects.
Conclusion:
The imposition of visa restrictions by the United Kingdom on the Commonwealth of Dominica on July 19, 2023, presents devastating consequences for the island nation. The economic setbacks, education and skills drain, strained diplomatic relations, social and cultural isolation, and negative global reputation are profound impacts that will hinder Dominica’s growth and development. It is essential for the UK and Dominica governments to engage in dialogue and find solutions that balance security concerns with the necessity of fostering global connections, mutual prosperity, and shared opportunities.
Of course, it is my humble opinion that Roosevelt Skerrit is unable to deal with any responsible democratic government. Despite his closeness to Baroness Patricia Scotland, secretary general of the Commonwealth of Nations he was unable to shield Dominica from United Kingdom sanctions. Therefore Skerrit must summon the courage to do the honorable thing and resign now. With his resignation, a transitional government can oversee new elections to allow for restoration of rule of law and democracy in Dominica.
Such a law-abiding government may be able to restore better relations with the United Kingdom and other democracies. Skerrit has had almost twenty years at the helm and has been found wanting. He has overseen a pattern of bankrupt diplomacy, diminished rule of law, and abysmal performance in agriculture and industry in Dominica. The imposition of sanctions by the United Kingdom was the last straw. Mr. Skerrit, you must now resign. Go! Please do our country a favor and go now! It is the right and proper thing to do. Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned over much less.
Although mister looks pimping, I wouldn’t throw the ‘baby’ out with the bath water.
The US and Canada will soon do the same. The only thing that can save Dominica now is for an international arrest warrant to be issued on Skerrit for his mobster like activity and INTERPOL to send people to get him.
U.S, Canada, World bank all the same person/entity. They must be disregarded and either join BRICS or progress without them. We must be brave. Big up CARICOM.
Entering the high risk / high reward CBI passport game was always going to be crap shoot game for the Dominican government. if it sounds too good to be true then it is too good to be true.
Dominica’s inability to screen potential investors without outsourcing left the door wide open nefarious investors.
Wall Street firm Smith Barney had an old television ad that cautioned investors that the firm believed in making money the old fashioned way, by earning it. In other words no fly by night, wacky get rich fast skim.
The current administration’s failing is that they allowed delusions of grandeur of potential CBI riches to blind and discombulate them. Visions of fat bank accounts and general opulence conspired to lead them down a path devoid of good common and economic sense.
All involved were busy counting the loot while ignoring the glaring and obvious costs. The protagonists may very well have damaged Dominica’s reputation while adding to the economic hardship of its…
Let this article remain front and center until Christmas. This will send a message across the globe.
Here are three (3) things that I’m scared of having in my possession: An unlicensed Firearm, Illegal Drugs and a Dominican Passport.
LOCK HIM UP HE IS A FLIGHT RISK. He must stand trial here at home or in Florida 🇺🇸 Another Manuel Noriega. Greedy bastard voleh in suit and tie. LOCK UP THE PARASITE AND ALL HIS ACOLYTES.
QUESTIONS:
Did Ali Reza Zibahalat Monfared siphon money through a filling station up north? If yes, isn’t that money laundering?
Did Ali Reza Zibahalat Monfared pay the airfare of the Caribbean’s Starboy of Stupidity from Malaysa to China? If yes, isn’t that money laundering?
Did Ali Reza Zibahalat Monfarred PURCHASE his Dominica diplomatic passport? If yes, did that money ever reach our treasury? How much did he pay?
Why was a man who lives up north referring to Ali Reza Zibahalat Monfared as “Dato”? Why was the man’s name a top secret? Who inherited what Ali Reza Zibahalat Monfared left in Dominica? Whoever the person is, isn’t that person a suspect in money laundering too?
Believe it or not as a British citizen and Dominican citizen that visa restrictions will not have any impact on Dominicans, this is ridiculous crap and no need to panic, the Europeans now asking for visa restrictions on UK holiday makers and also the United States will be doing the same towards many other countries except Great Britain ask yourselfs some questions Why?
@Man bite dogs
It is already having an effect on the pockets of poor Dominicans who are scraping the bottom of the barrel to make ends meet. Stop your ignorance and hogwash.Stay quiet if you have nothing to say!!
me, proof to me where it is hurting Dominicans pockets ……, Visas only allowed one to travel whenever, also Dominicans can still apply on line, just stupid noise for nothing you people should get a life no wonder guys like you 50 years old and leaves at home with your mums.
Mbd, you are correct in your assumptions. They did same for travel to the Caribbean a few years ago where they add 44% to travel tickets, whereas to Australia only 0.2% added. We don’t have that many business people who need to travel to UK in a hurry for this to have much of an impact. They mzungus, will run you broke if you don’t toe their stinking line.
Gabu is just bent on removing Skeritt, and for good reason too, diversity.
You must be really either stupid or simply can’t read the lines. Europe will implement electronic travel authorizations (same as US has ESTA) for visa-waiver countries and it will be a matter of seconds. One thing is have an easy access and the other is go through a lengthy visa application process.
It could only take a shallow nonsensical brain like yours to deduce such nonsense!
Roosevelt’s rulership in Dominica has been nothing but corrosive, divisive and devastating to the country and its inhabitants.
Here is the brutal truth. I challenge anyone to question these.
*poverty has grown exponentially
*the economy has shrunk enormously
*the country is more politically polarised than ever before
*criminality has spread across all sectors of the society
*living standards have deteriorated alarmingly
*law and order and the judicial system completely corrupted
What is the solution to stop the country from imploding? The MASSES have to come together and rid Dominica of the StarBoy of dunceness and his uncaring, carnivorous zealots.
When will Dominicans wake up to move Mohamad Abdulla off their backs nor? enough is enough now.
No country want us in their land because of this Government’s bad practices in selling our passports.
Let us put our hearts and hands together to remove these incompetence from office.
People going to the US all the time even though they have always had visa restrictions. There are quite a few over there who are “undocumented”.
I fully agree that the government was irresponsible for letting this happen because of how they handled the CBI program but that list of negative impacts sounds highly exaggerated. If anything the process of travelling to the UK will be a bit more cumbersome but the author is trying to make it sound like we are getting sanctioned or something
“Dominica’s industries, such as tourism and services, will suffer as potential investors, tourists, and students are deterred by the added complications of obtaining a visa.”
This one makes no sense. UK tourists, investors or students coming here don’t need a visa.
As Dominica is sinking, what are we waiting for? For the country to be complete under water???
Agreed.. it’s time for that King Liar and his Government to resign
. Let a new captain sail the ship…
That pic with Roosevelt and Monfared is a perfect demonstration of the corruption that has bedeviled Dominica since 2004. How much longer will Dominicans sit idly by and watch the dismantling of their once vibrant country?
Dominicans you are NOT a nation of sheep. Take back your country.
“Every Rope” what???? Help me somebody I forgot the rest. A new NATIONAL HOLIDAY IS COMING SOON. Jail them parasite blood suckers. Also, confiscate their illegal gains and property which were paid for with the people’s money. Their houses, lands, boats, their vehicles and jewelry. Then run out of our country Dominica 🇩🇲. This isn’t enough! This is too darn much. HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN. HooRay 😃
Is there any reason why the author of this piece chose to remain anonymous?
There is obvious political bias, but on a whole it seemed quite reasonable to me.
This is the quote from Vince Henderson – “Not that many of us go to the UK, but it is something as a Dominican I wish we didn’t have to go through,” Dr. Henderson stated. “I remembered the burden that I felt came upon me when I was in London on the 18th and I was told on the 19th the announcement was going to be made.”
Can you believe these people have the audacity to still spit in our faces AFTER they have already slapped us in it? hmm. But, it that Dominicans love. we turning the next cheek for round 2 and 3.
In a previous Article, one of the Ministers, i believe it was Vince Henderson, he said
to the effect that although it is unfortunate Dominicans dont travel the the UK that much anyway. I said the nerve of these people.
DNO, who is the author of this “commentary?” It reads and sounds like the same gibberish that a Diasporan wishing to control Dominica via remote control once read on opposition radio here.
Dominicans have been paying for visas to travel to the US, the UK, and other countries around the world WITHOUT any of the above five “consequences” described by the author. We still cough up big funds to go to Barbados for the US visas for tourism and school. We still paid funds to travel to the UK for periods longer that 90 days (or thereabout). All of these without any of the above consequences that this “commenter” describes. Yes, the restriction has consequences, but they are not fatal. So, if he sees an opportunity to go after Skerrit, we are not fooled.
Usually,I would read COMMENTARY,by who ever the commentator is.In that case DNO appear to take full responsibility for this commentary.For years this commentator has been forcibly trying to inject Dominicans with propaganda,lies,fake news,greed and injections.Those injections has not worked and Dr.Skerrit,based on what is happening in Dominica,is going to be in power for a long time.The Dominican PEOPLE has been fed Monfared,NG Lap Seng,Corallo and Madueke for lunch,breakfast and dinner for years.Dominicans are not interested in regurgitated foolishness.Dominica was blacklisted and visas placed on Dominicans by Canada because of UWP.UWP sold passports to two of the world’s most notorious fugitives from justice Anthony Skase and Dr.Al Masari.Today there is a notorious THIEF in Dominica called Masari.Dominicans have long passed that BS stage, instead concentration is on moving the island forward like what is being done presently.Without the help of whoever the recalcitrant commentator…
You can’t speak for Dominicans. Who gave you that authority? Of all people why someone like you? Can you even speak for yourself? The answere is NO!!
So chill out!!
Say it ain’t so. UWP is guilty of the exact same thing they are crying down the government for now?
I’m quit sure adjustments need to be made but I would not sing U.K and EU song against any program that benefits us and not them. They have sent us their missionary terrorists riddled with ill intentions and caught with corruption, abuse of our people, gun running etc etc and we have not stopped nor discouraged them from coming except to prosecute them. We can change prime minister, but I would not support those nations’ bullying when it means death to our economy, while their’s remain in tact with all their terrorists!
Skerrit, Mano and others were essentially harboring a fugitive. They facilitated his escape and hiding by granting him diplomatic citizenship. As a matter of fact they darn well knew that is all he needed citizenship for because he touted the fact that he cannot be arrested. Allison the former Nigerian oil minister used for same reason. It is clear these folks concerns were not for visa entry to Europe because they have money to get any visa. They were criminals looking for an escape and our government facilitated. How can people who have no connections to my country have more clout than me or any nurse, teacher fireman or police who has dedicated thier life to serving and promoting our country?
There will be a commission of enquiry and heads have to roll. I don’t care if skerrit will be on a wheelchair but he will pay some day.
Commentator, NG Lapseng was associated with Dominica long before Skeritt and this DLP came to office. Eugenia Charles and Edison James were associated with Lap Seng. Continue to rejoice as our former colonizers work to keep us in check.
I don’t want to make a big speech about this. Suffice to say, Skerrit has to go and he has to go now, either he resigns or we take him out by force. Our country can afford to have this man at the helm any longer. All those DLP supporters let me tell you, your party isn’t a Labour Party but a Skerrit party. He uses all you for his selfish agenda.
What you expect
foreigners who are “cleans” in their own country, why should they seek another citizenship ?
Money laudering, drug trafficking, … etc …
“Despite the protestations of Roosevelt Skerrit that his government engaged in robust vetting of passport sales applicants, the UK government disagreed.”
Roosevelt stupidity has no bounds: I wonder if Roosevelt a known compulsive pathetic liar, one who lie and believe his own lies could think that they simply decided to clamp his head between a vice without any prof Roosevelt sells passports to anyone who asks?
I wonder if that little Dominica rat ever thought that the powers that be may have purchased many Dominica passports through agents who bought them without any vetting, and that’s how Roosevelt lie about robust vetting became a noose around his neck?
Vetting is the process of carefully and critically examining something; or someone, it’s the process of investigating someone thoroughly, especially in order to ensure that they are suitable for becoming a citizen of a country’ loyalty, trustworthiness, must be found in a person before they can obtain citizenship.
That’s…