Announcement of elections `imminent’ – foreign minister tells Caricom community council

The Caricom community council of ministers meeting today in Georgetown was told by Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett that an announcement on general elections is `imminent’.

She made the statement while providing an update on the controversial suspension of Parliament here on November 10, 2014 by President Donald Ramotar.

The Community Council of Ministers is the second highest organ of the Caribbean Community.

While Ramotar himself had said that there will be an early announcement this year on elections, more than two weeks have elapsed without anything being said.

In the meanwhile, Ramotar’s government has come under increasing domestic and international pressure to name a date.

A statement issued by Caricom this evening follows:

The Community Council received an update from the Foreign Minister of Guyana regarding developments in relation to the prorogation of the Parliament of Guyana.  Ministers recalled that the Government of Guyana had formally advised the Caribbean Community regarding the prorogation and the reason for this course of action.

In her update, the Foreign Minister advised of the imminent announcement of elections by the President of Guyana.

Ministers were satisfied that the prorogation of Parliament was in keeping with the provisions of the Guyana Constitution and did not constitute a breach of the Commonwealth Charter.

Ministers also underscored the need for the respect of diplomatic proprieties and for adherence to the principles of non interference in the domestic affairs of Member States.