Bahamas supports Sir Ronald Sanders for post of Commonwealth Secretary General
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Bahamas supports Sir Ronald Sanders for post of Commonwealth Secretary General

By TDN Wire Staff
November 16 5:02 P.M

Baronnes Scotland and diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders have both been nominated for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General.

Nassau, Bahamas (TDN) Bahamas became the latest Caribbean country to throw its support behind Sir Ronald Sanders, who is vying to become the next Secretary General of the Commonwealth. It joins Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada who are publicly supporting his candidacy. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Perry Christie just days ahead of the vote to be held in caucus, when Commonwealth Heads of Government meet in Valalia, Malta from November 27 to 29.

The announcement is seen as a further blow to Dominica’s nominee to the post Baroness Patricia Scotland, a former attorney general in the United Kingdom. Critics have said that the Baroness although born in Dominica is not a true Caribbean nominee since she left the country at the tender age of two.

Previously Trinidad & Tobago had nominated academic and politician Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie but in October withdrew his candidacy and threw their support in favour of Sir Ronald. Regional leaders have called for a consensus candidate but it appears very unlikely that either nominee will withdraw.

Earlier this month Grenada prime minister Keith Mitchell publicly called on the Regional grouping CARICOM to throw their support behind Sir Ronald. Only Dominica and Barbados have openly shown their support for Baroness Scotland and it is widely believed that the other 5 Caribbean countries will side with Sir Ronald.

In the meantime, two African candidates have seized on the indecision within the Region to announce their candidacy. Mmasekgoa Masire Mwambawho, former deputy secretary general, has been nominated for the post by Botswana, and Tanzania has nominated its foreign minister, Bernard Membe.

Observers believe that if there is not a consensus candidate the Region will miss out on an opportunity to hold the top post, which was last held by a Caribbean national more than twenty years ago when Sir Shridath Ramphal held the position.

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