Jamaica’s Foreign Minister Challenges Scotland For Commonwealth Sec-Gen Post

In an unprecedented move, Jamaica has formally announced a candidate for the next secretary-general of the Commonwealth.

Jamaica’s foreign minister, Kamina Johnson-Smith, is challenging the incumbent secretary-general, Patricia Scotland, for the post.

This comes after Jamaica brazenly declared its intentions to quit the Commonwealth or removing the Queen as its head of state during the vist of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Its prime minister, Andrew Holness, was the one who announced Johnson-Smith’s candidacy, a recent article of The Guardian reported.

Holness cited the reasons on why Johnson-Smith qualified for the position, which “included her high moral character, diplomatic and political acumen, proven competence and commitment to the work of the Commonwealth,” the report said.

“She will bring a wealth of experience to the position and is committed to international public service,” he was quoted as saying.

Scotland, who has assumed office in 2016, is gunning for a second term. A native of Dominica, Scotland is the second Secretary-General from the Caribbean and the first woman to hold the post.

Jamaica’s move to nominate another candidate caused a controversy in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, has been aiming to back Scotland’s bid for another term.