The newly inaugurated president, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, has made a resolute commitment to serve as a unifying figure for all Dominicans while championing the causes of vulnerable women, children, and the environment. In a historic moment for the Commonwealth of Dominica, Mrs Burton took the oath of office and was officially sworn in as the 10th President on October 2, 2023, marking a significant shift in the country’s leadership. In her inaugural address to the nation, Her Excellency acknowledged the unprecedented dialogue sparked by her election as a Kalinago and a woman. Nevertheless, she reassured the nation of her dedication to being “a president for all Dominicans, both here and abroad.”
She pledged “not only for the Kalinago, not only for the women but I will be a president for all–and let me emphasise all–the citizens of our beloved Dominica. I promise that I will serve you with the empathy which has nurtured over the hills and valleys of my
journey. I will serve you with the courage of my ancestry. And most importantly, I will serve you with dignity and honour.”
One of President Burton’s significant commitments is to be a vocal advocate for vulnerable women and children facing violations, abuse, and exploitation. She expressed her intent to use her office to foster an enlightened approach to addressing the challenges these vulnerable citizens encounter.
“It is not only women and girls that I am referring to because even though the issues may not entirely be the same, our young men are equally vulnerable,” she explained. Drawing attention to educational disparities, the new head of state noted that this is
reflected in both the enrollment numbers and the graduation numbers for the Dominica State College (DSC) where this year’s numbers indicate a percentage of 73%, female, to 27% Male, attending and graduating from this institution. The head of state pointed out that the current trend is unsustainable and to reach the nation’s full potential, such will only change through targeted interventions.
She suggested that the educational gender gap among young men might be linked to a growing disregard for the rule of law, a challenge even experienced by older democracies.
“We cannot and must not allow a few elements in our society to threaten the peace and safety of our citizens, and negatively impact our reputation as one of the safest places in the world to live,” she declared.
Recognizing the era of artificial intelligence and technological advancements, Burton expressed concerns about preparing the youth for a world of “self-driving vehicles, robotics, and cutting-edge technologies.” She called upon the nation to guide and harness the energy and creativity of its youth to navigate this new technological landscape.
“We must be agile, innovative, and bold as we chart our course in the world,” she stated.
“To this end, we must use all the tools at our disposal, particularly our human resources, both here and in the diaspora to find solutions to the challenges that we face as a nation.”
In the face of challenges such as climate change, global economic instability, the rise of artificial intelligence, and social divides, the president emphasised the need for visionary thinking in Dominica, urging the government to continue its efforts to become
the world’s first climate-resilient nation. The former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment noted that the effects of climate change are real and that more intense hurricanes, reduced rainfall, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels threaten citizens’ survival.
Therefore she encouraged every citizen to plant as many trees as possible And to stop the cutting down of our forests indiscriminately.
“Let us all play our part to ensure that the island remains pristine and greener for our future generations. This is the message I intend to articulate often over the next five years,” she said.
Meantime, during her address, she expressed her unexpected journey to the highest office in the land.
In her words, she “did not ask for this great honour. I did not aspire to it…I could have never imagined nor even dream about it.” However, she drew inspiration from Proverbs chapter 19, verse 21, which reminds us that “many are the plans in a person’s heart. But it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
She went on to acknowledge the historic and monumental nature of her presidency and recognized the significance of this moment, not just for Dominica but also for her indigenous sisters and brothers worldwide.
Her Excellency expressed profound gratitude to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and his government for the trust and confidence they placed in her. She also paid tribute to the immediate past president Charles A. Savarin, and his family for “the decades that
they have served and sacrificed to make Dominica a more just, equitable, and prosperous nation.”
In her address, President Burton paid homage to the enduring spirit of Dominica’s ancestors and, in particular, the courage of her Kalinago forebearers who sacrificed their lives in defence of the land. She recognized the weight of the moment, not only as a
Kalinago native but also as a woman taking on the mantle of leadership as Dominica’s 10th President.
“My joy is however tempered by the enormity of this moment in the history of our country. My gratitude goes out to my husband, my children, my relatives, colleagues, friends, and the Kalingo community that grew me into the person I am today,” she said.
“I will continue to pray for wisdom and understanding, as I have done at other critical junctures in my life. And I asked the entire nation to pray for me as I embark on this journey to continue unifying our country,” the newly elected head of state added.
Lady, the prepared script you were given to read, words are to be of comfort to only you.
You bare the title of president, is designed only as a ceremonial position.
The title does not give you any political power, or say in anything.
So, your elation is just as a chicken laying its first egg. You might be invited to cut a ribbon at some point and time but all your wishful thinking is simply that all your talk about president for all is nonsense, since you don’t have any political power.
You don’t have any power to decide who gets what and when!
Get a dictionary and look up the definition of the term ceremonial duties!
Then reference that to your wishfully thinking!
Who told you that you are more educated and more intelligent than other people? You cannot even spell simple words yet, you talk about script written by other people and given to other people to read. You boast everyday about 4 fake degrees that you got in America. I know if you had stayed in the Caribbean you would have never matriculated into UWI. Get out of there, your drumstick. The education standard in Dominica is on a much higher level than Antigua’s.
I may not be more educated than others or most people, but I know; that I know, that I am better educated than you!
I know that my education is academic; I have yet to figure out where you got your education; considering you claimed that Edison James taught you at SMA.
As far as I know more than 60 years ago I remember Edison James was headmaster (principal) of DGS: so, it would appear that either you or I seem to be very confused!
Now my spelling may not be perfect, but I am not as dumb as you. for your information fool, computers and smart phone these days has the technology that sometimes try to correct spelling as one writes, it depends on what type of dictionary is programmed into the phone or computer, if one speaks and write Cambridge English, and there is an American dictionary in your system. sometimes they automatically change the spelling, and unless one edits the wrong spelling will exists.
I don’t usually edit ; hence the errors remain.
Francisco, It looks the same to me in
America look what is happening in the house of representatives president Biden, don’t seems to have much of a say, what do you think? Mr know it all.
Man Dog, the American system is totally different to Dominica; in america, Biden has all power!
He forms a cabinet, when you hear terms such as secretary of the Agriculture or Secretary of the interior that is like a ministry in Dominica. He sets a budget to effect all sorts of programs in the country, health, the building of the infrastructure, he can veto bills passed by the house and senate.
This woman in Dominica does not have any such power she is a token!
The President of the United States is indeed one of the most powerful and influential people on the planet. The decisions the president makes and the actions he takes have national, as well as global implications.
The president’s responsibilities are outlined in Article II of the Constitution and include:
The power to call state units of the National Guard into service (in times of emergency he may be given the power by Congress to manage national security or the economy.)
The power
Lots of Malachi Dods. If he could Veto all budgets there would not be a Gov’t shut down and caused the speaker of the house to be voted out. There would not be another shut down in November and I pray that Jordan does not get the job because the budget will never go through. If he had all the power he would be able to continue the support for Ukraine. Let’s take a look at the border walls the One time Orange head President started and now bears 91 felonies. There is alot that the President can’t do without the sicko Republicans. So let us think about that. Congress makes the Laws. The Senate decides
You are not altogether correct: rticle I, Section 7, Clause 2 provides that once a bill passes both houses of Congress it must be presented to the President for approval or veto. This provision, together with Article I, Section 7, Clause 3, is sometimes called the Presentment Clause.
The Supreme Court has held that if the President wishes to approve a bill, the Presentment Clause only requires him to sign it. He need not write on the bill the word approved nor the date of approval. The text of Article I requires that the President sign a bill, if at all, within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after presentment. Failure to sign has different consequences depending on whether the legislature is in session, since the President cannot return a vetoed bill to Congress when the legislature is adjourned.
However if signing of a bill is not in public interest, the president has the power to veto that bill, and we saw Obama did that more than 44 times when the republicans try to repeal Obama Care
So right! Just a big joke! She sold her soul to the devil dictator and has given him the icing on the cake by reading a script that is at best, a lie and an insult to Dominicans. We all know what presidents must do for those who appoint them, may the Lord God have not a lot of mercy on her soul.
Chaff you are just another UWP lazy jacka.DLP is in power since 2000,if things are as bad as you say they are,the same way Dominicans KICKED out UWP,they would kick out DLP.That is common sense,it is so common yet Chaff,like many supporters of UWP don’t have it.There are 2,700 senior citizens who did not qualify for retirement benefits,they are now being paid $300 monthly by Skerrit.There are 4,500 people who were unemployed,Skerrit created the NEP and employed them.Skerrit is paying people to take care of senior citizens who cannot do it for themselves.You must be one of those who spent more than 23 years.Dominica with a population of 72,000 has 39,000 registered vehicles.Skerrit gave more than 5,000 Dominicans $250,000 $300,000 and $400,000 houses and apartments FREE.UWP is against all social programmes in Dominica.The reason DLP will never lose an election soon.So stay buried up to you eyebrows in a pit toilet.
How long will you continue to sing this stupid song?
“You must be one of those who spent more than 23 years.Dominica with a population of 72,000 has 39,000 registered vehicles.Skerrit gave more than 5,000 Dominicans $250,000 $300,000 and $400,000 houses and apartments FREE.UWP is against all social programmes in Dominica.The reason DLP will never lose an election soon.So stay buried up to you eyebrows in a pit toilet.”
You talk about thirty-nine thousand motor vehicles?
Antigua is a hundred and eight square miles; in 2022 there were 54,891 recorded registered vehicles on the island.
In 2023 the population of Antigua and Barbuda is 94,298 people, so that could mean every resident owns 1.7 or actually two cars!
Wast of time calculating Dominica, because their are less than fifty thousand people in Dominica, again I refer you to Antigua to view the architecture, in places as Crossbies; and the value of houses, in the millions poor people live in!
Dominica condition should shame…
“Actions speak louder than words, don’t be deceived by fancy talkers” having said that, Congratulations my Kalinago sister please do not stray to far and allow yourself to become another puppet of this ” Star boy of stupidity” and during your tenure please advocate for a Kalinago Prime Minister, maybe the warriors will be happy, and Ma Dominique will reward you richly.
Big spineless men are bowing to those evil spirits that’s in Roosevelt; how could a little kalinago woman be any different?
She pledged “not only for the Kalinago, not only for the women but I will be a president for all–and let me emphasise all–the citizens of our beloved Dominica.
There we have it from the horses mouth. Let me tell you, this was another one of numerous pappy shows that have taken place in the last few month in Dominica. She won’t be allowed to do anything without Skerrits say so. Let’s be clear about that. She was chosen by him because he can trust her to follow his orders. It’s as simple as that. Don’t be fooled.
Why hasn’t Sunac knighted you “Lord” in England? You, looking for fame too, en, your drumstick, drummer-drama boy.
Once again you prove beyond any doubt that you are not right in your head. Keep it up!
ds, now I have proof you should first pluck the mote out of your nasty eye before you reach for my mote: days ago you said I could not spell simple words.
Well, I agreed, you did not get a single argument or insult from me in that regards, surprisingly you cannot spell a simple name of that of the prime minister of England “Sunak.” His name is not spelled Sunac,
Note: His name is Rishi Sunak, born May 12, 1980, Southampton, England, and by the way you that old dog, could be his grandfather eh!
Another thing Prime Ministers in England do not bestow the title of Knight, or Sir on individuals, that is a ceremonial duty of the reining King or Queen.
So, when the convicted criminal woman Scotland could not get the dead queen to knight Roosevelt, she went and get some white boys to dress up Roosevelt in some carnival costume with a Sasha round him neck, with a rusty sword swing on his hip and declared him a knight, when nobody called him Sir, the black rat Roosvelt went out and bought…
I ain’t done wid you yet boy!
So, when nobody called the balled head corrupted crook, that lack ratta sir, he went out buying Ph.D’s hoping that people would call him Dr. Skerrit!
Hahahahahahahahahahah
So, him bought three such honorary degrees, yet only dumb you and me dumb friend Man Dog calls the rat Roosevelt doctor!
When he went Guyana the other day, hoping he would be called doctor a real academic doctor from Trinidad was in the meeting only he was called doctor:
The current prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago is Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley. He is the leader of the People’s National Movement and has been serving as the seventh prime minister since 2015. He was re-elected for a second term in 2020. He was born on 24 October 1949 and has a background in geology
So, you see Roosevelt puppet, the man is a geologists, he earned his degree, he does not have bought pieces of useless papers, he can introduce himself to some as Dr. Rowley. People with honorary bought Ph…
Congratulations to President Sylvanie Burton. You have a tall task as the first woman to occupy this important position and many young girls and women will be carried on your shoulders. Also this country was adrift with the “do nothing ” predecessor who was before you. He was only for those who supported the cabal and allowed an entire village, of supporters of all political affiliation, to undergo hell on earth by being teargassed whilst they slept and did nor said anything. I will be watching to see you live up to your pledge to be president for all Dominicans. Your predecessor sat(literally) by whilst Dominicans got abused overseas and didn’t represent nor advocate for them, whilst living large in the people’s house. I’m rooting and praying for your success as the people’s president even if the cabal think they own you.
For our part, my wife and I join all Dominicans at home and abroad in extending our sincere congratulations to Her Excellency Mrs. Sylvanie Burton, her family, the Kalinago Territory, the Government, and the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica on this very august and historic occasion.
You don’t know, and have no darn idea of what Dominicans are going through under this Hardminsitration. So we here at home are not in need of your congregations. The mere fact that you boldly post your photos and Christian name means you are a diehard labor and you are singing from afar, so your supper will be made ready for you for when you return to Dominica. But that food 🥘 will be very cold. So stop singing wherever you are.
And even if he were a “die hard labour,” would he not be freely entitled to show his support to the party of his choice without you and your ilk coming here to insult and vilify?
Buh wha is wrong with you people? Only you have the right to speak and show your support for your party? Is this the type of democracy that you wish for Dominica? How can Dominica ever move forward with a mentality like this? Let the man speak his mind whether you like it or not, just as you are free to speak yours without injuring anyone. Sakway tonneh!
So why am I not able to freely speak my mind without you butting in? You can’t have it both ways. If there’s still some “resemblance” of democracy left in Dominica I’m asking you please to get off my lane and allow me to express myself. Nothing can or will hinder me from speaking my mind and my conscience in the land of my birth and the land I so dearly love. So do me a favor and get back to the Rum Shop.
Chaff, pure UWP garbage coming from you. Are you and Ibo MALAPROP France relatives?
Jealous,, jealous, jealous. Wasn’t Annette handpicked?
In her words, she “did not ask for this great honour. I did not aspire to it…I could have never imagined nor even dream about it.”
However, she drew inspiration from Proverbs chapter 19, verse 21, which reminds us that “many are the plans in a person’s heart. But it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
In other words you did have plans for that post mam. Or am I the only one that is royally confused – asking on behalf of a friend
Here goes DNO religiously spreading the lies and propaganda of this untrustworthy regime and its adherents. This lady was deliberately handpicked by Starboy of Stupidity to adhere to his every instruction.
Just as DLP folks put Skerrit there and are controlling him, so too is Skerrit and the same DLP folks controlling her
Toofay!!
Aren’t you one of those criticizing the attorney general for calling Mrs.Annette Sanford, drumstick? Here you are calling the prime minister star boy of stupidity. You all will never be taken seriously because you all have no principles. On another note, who employed you as news editor at DNO?