Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders is urging the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett to consider tendering her resignation amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding her reappointment to the post.
“If I were the Secretary General of CARICOM and I’m being quite serious here and this had occurred I would have resigned and I would have resigned because I would have said I must not stand in the way of Caribbean integration and the movement forward,” Sir Ronald Sanders said on the state-owned ABS Television.
Sir Ronald Sanders, as he appeared on ABS Television on Tuesday night (CMC Photo)
Late last month, in a brief statement, the CARICOM chairman and St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew, said that Barnett had attained the “required majority” from among regional leaders regarding her re-appointment at last month’s CARICOM summit held in Basseterre.
But Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who was not present when the vote was taken to reappoint Barnett, who became the eighth CARICOM Secretary General on August 15, 2021, has publicly challenged the reappointment process of the Belizean economist.
She has dismissed a statement issued by Prime Minister Drew in which reiterated that Trinidad and Tobago was not “uninvited” to the retreat where the decision was taken.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has called for the minutes of the retreat meeting, questioning “where’s GS Barnett’s performance appraisal? Where’s the documentation of the 2021 appointment process which is claimed to be the same as the 2026 process..
Trinidad and Tobago despite calling for a meeting of regional leaders to discuss the issue, was not present when the leaders met virtually last Friday to discuss the matter.
Sir Ronald told television viewers it is clear to him that one “ senior government (official) and Prime Minister is not in favour” of Barnett’s appointment and as a result she should consider stepping down.
“Why am I still there? Because it is clear that I will never enjoy her support and why therefore would I put myself in a situation in which I am now the cause of the rift. If I were Carla Barnett, I would resign now on principle because she will never have Kamla Persad will not attend the meeting if Carla Barnett is at that meeting, neither will her foreign minister….,” he added.
ABS Television which said it will broadcast the entire interview with Sir Ronald at a later date, said the Antigua and Barbuda diplomat, who is also Chancellor of the University of Guyana made reference to the other persons who served as secretary general before Barnett.
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Apr 15, CMC
