Belize PM: Johnson Smith Represents What Commonwealth Needs

CARICOM’s support for Senator Kamina Johnson Smith is gaining momentum with Belize being the second member state to publicly back the Foreign Minister as she seeks to become the next commonwealth secretary-general; this follows Trinidad and Tobago’s endorsement on Sunday. Belize’s support is significant given its Prime Minister is the Chairman of CARICOM. Four other commonwealth countries are also backing Johnson Smith.

The Prime Minister of Belize John Briceno publicly asserts that Johnson Smith is the woman for the job. Briceno, who is also CARICOM chairman, recently announced that member states of the community will vote for the candidate of their choice when commonwealth leaders meet in Rwanda next month. The U.K, India, the Maldives, Singapore, and Trinidad and Tobago have all publicly endorsed Johnson Smith for the post.

Baroness Patricia Scotland, who is seeking a second term, is being backed by Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, her country of birth. Prime Minister of Antigua, Gaston Browne has chided Jamaica for its candidacy, calling it a ‘monumental error’ that could divide the Caribbean.

A few days ago, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago said it was never his country’s position that Scotland could truly represent the Caribbean, given her background. Watch the report below: