Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that the UK’s endorsement of Senator Kamina Johnson Smith‘s bid to become the next Commonwealth Secretary-General, signals confidence in her demonstrated competence.
If elected, the Foreign Affairs Minister would be the second woman to hold the post. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday affirmed the UK’s support for Senator Johnson Smith’s candidacy for Secretary-General of the commonwealth. In a tweet, he says the foreign affairs minister has the vast experience and support to unite the 54 member states. Other UK government members have also declared their support for Johnson- Smith.
She says she’s heartened by the support, noting that there are great possibilities for global development and she’s committed to playing her part in achieving such. Johnson smith is also being backed by the Maldives and Singapore. On day two of his visit to Jamaica, President of India, Ram Nath Covind confirmed his country’s support for Johnson-Smith’s bid.
The foreign minister has also sought the support of Ghana and other African nations. Incumbent Baroness Patricia Scotland recently urged Johnson-Smith to withdraw from the race to become Commonwealth Secretary-General, noting there’s no vacancy. She was elected to the post in 2015 and is serving on a CARICOM rotation but, the foreign affairs minister maintains, this will not happen.
CARICOM Chairman John Briceno says the community maintains, it is still the turn of the Caribbean to provide a candidate for the position. He says member states will vote for the candidate of their choice. The government recently reaffirmed its confidence in Johnson- Smith, stressing that she has the full range of competencies to effectively lead the commonwealth agenda at this time. Tuvalu has also announced its candidature for the post.
All eyes are set on June 20-25, when the commonwealth heads of government will elect the next secretary-general in Kigali, Rwanda.
