Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States, is urging Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett to consider resigning amid ongoing controversy surrounding her reappointment.
Speaking on ABS Television, Sir Ronald said he believes Barnett should step aside to avoid deepening divisions within the regional bloc.
“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.
The comments come after CARICOM Chairman and Dr Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, announced late last month that Barnett had secured the “required majority” from regional leaders for her reappointment during the CARICOM summit held in Basseterre.
However, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who was not present when the vote was taken, has publicly challenged the process used to reappoint the Belizean economist, who became the eighth CARICOM Secretary General on August 15, 2021.
Persad-Bissessar has also dismissed a statement issued by Drew, in which he reiterated that Trinidad and Tobago was not “uninvited” to the retreat where the decision was taken.
She has called for transparency, requesting documentation surrounding the process, including minutes from the retreat meeting and a performance review.
“Where is 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?” Persad-Bissessar questioned.
Although Trinidad and Tobago requested a meeting of regional leaders to discuss the issue, the country was not present when leaders met virtually last Friday to address the matter.
Sir Ronald told viewers it was evident to him that at least one senior regional leader opposed Barnett’s reappointment, and that her continued presence could prolong divisions within CARICOM.
“Why am I still there? Because 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 attend the meeting if Carla Barnett is at that meeting, neither will her foreign minister….,” he added.
ABS Television reported that the Antigua and Barbuda diplomat, who also serves as Chancellor of the University of Guyana, referenced previous CARICOM secretaries general during the interview, as he underscored the importance of unity and consensus in regional leadership.
The broadcaster said the full interview with Sir Ronald Sanders will be aired at a later date.
