Re-elected Dominica PM calls for regional interests to be defended
(Barbados Nation)
Caribbean people and institutions have to stand in defence of the region against external attacks from those who don’t have its best interests at heart, says Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
And he has challenged regional people to work for the development of their territories and stop tearing down the efforts of their respective governments which are seeking to improve their lives.
In a rebuke of the agenda of the European Union and First World countries and their institutions which blacklist or otherwise sideline vital sectors of Caribbean territories, Skerrit lamented that regional institutions and people do not rise to the defence of their governments.
Instead, he said, they either remain silent or blame the administration.
Skerrit was re-elected in Dominica’s controversial general elections on Friday.
Collective will
Meanwhile, the
Commonwealth in a statement on Saturday said the election result reflected the collective will of the people.
The ten-person Commonwealth observer team, was led by Chairperson, Zainab Bang ura, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone and former UnderSecretary-General at the United Nations.
At a press conference in Roseau on 07 Decem ber, she said: “The election was conducted in accordance with the laws of Dominica.”
The Chairperson added that “the Group was particularly impressed by the large numbers of women and youth who participated in the electoral process.”
On Election Day, members of the Commonwealth team were present in all 21 constituencies, which included the areas of Castle Bruce, Cottage, Mahaut, Marigot, Portsmouth, Roseau and Salisbury. The members observed the opening of polls, voting, closing of polls and the counting process.
Members of the team will stay in Dominica until 11 December 2019 to finalise their report, observe the post-electoralenvironment and continue meeting with stakeholders.
The Chairperson concluded the statement by stating: “Dominica will continue to serve as an inspiration for Commonwealth small state resilience through our family of 53 countries and eyond”.in Roseau on 07 De cember, she said: “The election was conducted in accordance with the laws of Dominica.”