T&T Prime Minister Keith Rowley to take over the chair of CARICOM
– External Chairman praises Guyanese for patience, maturity during election
Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley.
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves.
Kaieteur News – Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley is set to take over the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as the region tackles the COVID-19 pandemic. His season begins in early 2021.
Rowley will take over from St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. Gonsalves had taken up the post in mid-2020 from Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
Mottley and Gonsalves played key roles in keeping the eyes of the region and the rest of the international community on Guyana during a time when the stability of the country’s democracy was threatened.
Mottley had dispatched a team to help facilitate a national recount of votes when District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo overruled an initial non-transparent ballot count, which was later found to be fraudulent.
Even before he took over the regional chairmanship, Gonsalves had urged the then President, David Granger, to pardon his loss.
CARICOM had sent a three-person team that acted as a point of contact for international observers, as COVID-19 emergency measures restricted observer access to the recount location.
Dr. Rowley cited ‘serious allegations’ against CARICOM as the reason why his country’s Chief Returning Officer did not join the high-level team that observed the recount. Allies and supporters had slanderously criticized international observers, heads of state and leaders of regional organizations who called on the Coalition government to surrender.
The team that came out produced a report that found the results of the elections to be reasonably credible, and urged that a statement be made based on the results of the recount of the national poll that showed the People’s Progressive Party (PPP / C) Civic as the winner.
When the CARICOM team’s findings went public, almost all international observers threw their support behind the recommendations.
Even when the Granger administration presented legal challenges to the results of the recount, Gonsalves urged that all stakeholders receive and respect the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – one of the Courts approached in that case.
In a public address, the outgoing Chairman praised the Guyanese people for their patience during the controversial process.
He said “… we stood up to the people of Guyana in their quest to uphold the democratic traditions of our Community following the country’s General and Regional Elections last March. The people of Guyana displayed great patience and maturity during the lengthy process, and their will was overwhelming. ”
A special tribute was paid to former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who died in July due to cardiac complications. Gonsalves said Arthur was his friend and a Caribbean patriot.
“Professor Arthur dedicated his working life to integration and was a strong believer in his power to transform the lives of the people of the Region. Its promotion of CARICOM’s Single Market and Economy was evidence of its regional conviction and commitment.
Arthur is also remembered for his role in maintaining the stability of Guyana’s democracy. He had led the Commonwealth Observer Mission to the 2020 Guyana elections, and strongly advised the administration to surrender for the country’s benefit.
Gonsalves urged the region to continue to foster a spirit of unity, even as it battles the pandemic.
“That spirit of unity has been the cornerstone of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 2020,” said Gonsalves. “As the COVID-19 pandemic raged worldwide this past year, our Community harnessed the intellectual and technical capability available, and successfully managed the health aspects. This resulted in relatively low casualty figures, largely spreading the virus. ”
Gonsalves noted the overwhelming effects of the virus on the Caribbean region.
“The general economies of our countries have been hit hard, especially those that are directly and indirectly dependent on the tourism, travel and entertainment sectors. The global spread of COVID-19 has been driven by travel, and the curtailment of that activity has seriously affected the Caribbean, the world’s most dependent region of tourism and travel. Nevertheless, at Christmas 2020 we are grateful for all the blessings and mercies given to us. ”Said Gonsalves.