JAMAICA’S PLANS to become a republic have been put on hold.
The Jamaican government is blaming the opposition for the delay in moving forward with the next stages of removing King Charles III as its head of state.
The Jamaica Observer reported that Legal and Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte said plans to announce members of the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) by Prime Minister Andrew Holness had to be postponed, due to Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s delay in appointing two members of the CRC. his party. of the body.
Ms. Malahoo Forte insisted that the Jamaican government is ready and willing to have talks to make Jamaica a republic, even if it is without the participation of the opposition.
“It will take nine to 12 months, ambitiously, to pass the bill and then amend the constitution to create the Republic of Jamaica. Some of what the leader of the opposition wants to have discussed in the committee should have helped us. We are ready to go and I hope we will not be forced to go without the opposition, but we are ready to go,” she said.
Ms Malahoo Forte also said the government plans to hold a referendum early next year to become a republic.
However, the opposition leader insists he simply wants transparency on key issues such as the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, which the government has said will see some changes in the future.
Golding also added that he has concerns about the Privy Council remaining as Jamaica’s final court of appeal, despite wanting republican status.
“It is not a matter of me refusing to nominate members of the opposition to sit on this committee, but I am seeking and expecting to receive the clarity, transparency and disclosure that we want and that the Jamaican people deserve, as to where the government intends to go. for these important issues,” said Mr. Golding.
In June last year, Ms Malahoo Forte said Jamaica would transition to a republic by 2025 – in time for the next general election.
“The aim is to eventually produce a new Constitution of Jamaica, adopted by the Parliament of Jamaica, to, among other things, establish the Republic of Jamaica as a parliamentary republic, replacing the Constitutional Monarchy and affirming our self-determination and cultural heritage. Ms Malahoo Forte said at the time.
There is a growing republican movement across the region, following Barbados’ highly publicized transition to a republic in November 2021 – which marked the Caribbean nation’s 55th anniversaryth the year of independence.
Since then, several Caribbean islands have hinted that they may sever ties with the British Monarch as their head of state.
If Jamaica becomes the next Caribbean republic, the country will follow in the footsteps of other Caribbean countries that have elected a head of state locally.
Guyana became a republic in 1970, followed by Trinidad and Tobago in 1976 and Dominica in 1978.
