Political Scientist Professor Hamid Ghany says the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) needs to resolve its issues and begin taking action as the people of the region have had enough talk.
As Caribbean leaders gather for the 51st Heads of Government Meeting in St Lucia, Professor Ghany noted that the meeting is taking place amidst controversy.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is in attendance at the summit, had indicated that Trinidad and Tobago will not recognise Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett when her term concludes in August.
Dr Barnett was re-elected at a retreat in Nevis in February. The re-election was not on the agenda for the meeting, three Heads of Government were not present, and notice of the re-election came a month after the event from the departing Chair of CARICOM, Dr Terrence Drew.
Professor Ghany says this is just one issue that needs to be resolved.
“What needs to happen here is that there needs to be a clear recognition that the process that was adopted for this re-election was improper and not in keeping with all the lofty speeches you heard yesterday about all of the great things that are going to happen. This episode is a dark episode and does not augur well for CARICOM going forward.”
Professor Ghany outlined the outcome of the meeting that he believes would be most beneficial to Trinidad and Tobago.
“I think a successful outcome would be to confront head-on the issue of the re-election of the Secretary General. Her term of office ends, I think, on the 14th of August or thereabouts and if that is the case then that matter needs to be addressed.”
The Political Scientist indicated that several issues have gone unaddressed by the regional body, including the reported kidnapping of a Trinidad and Tobago national in Barbados, among other matters of concern.
“Prime Minister Persad Bissessar was declared to be ‘persona non grata’ by the Venezuelan legislature. CARICOM never even raised a finger to stand in defence of her to say a word. So I think that there are lots of little undercurrents and flashpoints that clearly indicate what is going on. So Prime Minister Phillip Pierre has a task on his hands to bring everyone together and have some kind of discussion.”
He noted that while CARICOM Heads of Government meetings are held regularly, they have produced few tangible benefits for the people of the region.
“The Caribbean people are not getting the action that they require, and I think that this meeting, if it is to be successful, must be clearing the way for some clear action to be taken. We had a lot of nice speeches yesterday, wonderful lofty stuff, usually this ends up not going anywhere and you have the next meeting and you make lofty speeches again. CARICOM has got to lift its game and demonstrate to Caribbean people that it has the kind of political wherewithal to be able to make the talk happen. And that is important.”
The 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government opened in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on July 5th and is scheduled to conclude on July 8th.