00:00The process surrounding the reappointment of the CARICOM Secretary-General is now headed to the Caribbean Court of Justice for
00:07an advisory opinion.
00:09Prime Minister Kamala Pesad-Besasa announced Tuesday that CARICOM heads of government unanimously supported Trinidad and Tobago's proposal to refer
00:18questions surrounding the interpretation of the treaty provisions governing the appointment process to the CCJ.
00:26The Prime Minister said on her social media post,
00:30I wish to thank my fellow colleague heads for supporting Trinidad and Tobago's proposals, which were viewed as consistent with
00:38CARICOM's commitment to the highest standards of good governance and institutional improvement, principles which I have always championed as necessary
00:47for the future of CARICOM.
00:49She maintained that Trinidad and Tobago's objections to the process during Monday's heads-of-government retreat, arguing that the issues
00:58should be clarified under Article 212 of the revised Treaty of Chagaramus.
01:04That provision allows CARICOM to seek the Court's interpretation and guidance on matters involving the treaty.
01:12Today, Pesad-Besasa also praised CARICOM Chairman and St. Lucia's Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre for helping member states reach
01:20consensus and preserve regional unity.
01:23Meanwhile, local political analyst Dr. Bhishnu Raghunath believes the referral is both appropriate and necessary, saying,
01:31quote,
01:31The CCJ was designated as the final court for CARICOM matters, so it is the correct institution to go to,
01:39end quote.
01:40Dr. Raghunath says the advisory opinion should remove any uncertainty over how future appointments are handled, adding,
01:48Quote, it is clear that there is still confusion as to the governance processes used in appointments of the Secretary
01:56-General.
01:56By referring the matter to the CCJ, we should get proper guidance as we go forward, and if improper practices
02:03and procedures were used in the past, well, such should not continue, end quote.
02:09He believes the outcome will ultimately strengthen the regional body, saying, quote,
02:14This is a win-win situation for CARICOM and all member states. It facilitates proper process to be clearly defined,
02:23end quote.
02:24The CCJ's advisory opinion is expected to provide legal clarity on the interpretation of the revised Treaty of Shagaramas
02:31and could establish a framework for future appointments within CARICOM.
02:36Urvashi Tawari, Rupanarain, TV6 News.
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