Commentary: The Attempts to Delegitimize Roosevelt Skerrit in Dominica
- November 20, 2019
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The attempts to delegitimize Roosevelt Skerrit in Dominica
by Whitfield Mason
Political Commentator
It is clearly emerging that an overseas-funded orchestrated war against Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has been unleashed.
In a campaign suspected to be funded, in part, by a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, and in another part by conservative Republican forces in the United States, there is a move to delegitimize the Prime-Ministership of the Dominican leader.
The main two motivating factors, are — on the one hand that passport-selling firm’s peeve of not being engaged by the Skerrit administration in its CBI programme, and on the other hand, globalist politics not too entertained by Roseau’s unwavering progressive stances in the region and internationally.
It is not coincidence that the opposition has focused on two things in the run-up to the elections – a theory opposition Lennox Linton was given to float that 1.2 billion dollars are missing from the CBI program, and complaints about lack of progress on electoral reform.
Both parties have blamed each other for the lack of progress on the issue of reform, and though there are some good suggestions on the table to enhance the process, even with the disappointing lack of progress, the system as it is, can deliver free and fair elections, as it has done in the past.
After threatening for months with not taking part in general elections until electoral reforms were instituted, the United Workers Party, in an about turn, said they will field a full slate of candidates.
They have since boasted that they are confident they will win the December 6 vote, which flies in the face of the counter-narrative which has been promoted largely on social media; that the elections will not be free and fair.
But this counter narrative is part of a well thought-out plan.
It is the opposition’s insurance policy, to cry foul, and to be able to instigate unrest against the DLP after the elections should the incumbent win the vote.
If the challengers win, the results will be fine with the sponsors. If not, the ring leaders will instigate a level of unrest that could force the hand of the government, and set the stage for foreign interference in a bid to force Skerrit out of office once and for all.
The threat to Dominica’s democracy is real, and it is not from inside – but from powerful forces from outside, especially those who have frowned upon the DLP’s government brave defense of Venezuelan sovereignty; perceived close relations with China and support of progressive ideas and causes particularly in Latin America.
What happened on Monday night was a coordinated escalation of what until then was a mundane nightly ‘vigil’ outside the President’s house.
Agitators, armed with a running generator, paid-for expanded internet bandwidth and cameras rolling, came with the stated aim of pushing down police barriers and marching onto the house of the president, hoping to ignite a confrontation with the police that will be caught live to the world in real time.
In many ways, it backfired.
The police, inspite of being taunted, physically assaulted and facing a handful of r riotous men, some who jumped behind security barriers, acted with unbelievable restraint.
There was no serious injury. No one was arrested. No brutality.
There are not too many places in the Caribbean that this would have ended so nicely.
But as if on cue, as soon as the video of the incident – one a paid live stream -popped up online, there were commentaries and articles appearing in coordination on many websites and social media platforms riling about “Dominican unrest” and about the leadership of Skerrit.
With impressive speed, the US Embassy in Barbados issued a travel advisory.
The demonization of the Dominican leader by some of the forces has been a long-term project, only now, with three weeks to go before an election, it is on steroids.
Where did we see that script before? Salvador Allende in Chile 1973? Michael Manley in Jamaica in 1992?
It might be a different era, but it the same strategy from an old playbook.
The insertion of the spectre of violence in Dominica’s elections is a concept that is funded in a capital far removed from Roseau. It is the beginning of the sowing the seed of rebellion against a man, who by every conceivable independent yardstick, has delivered more for Dominica’s poorest in recent years, than at any time in history.
We need term limits in our country! The end.
I think it is time for Dominica to with draw its membership from the OAS. It is clear that a super power is conspiring with the OAS and the leader of the opposition in Dominica, to destabilize our government and country. The OAS is using false information in its press releases about Dominica. Dominicans should open up their eyes.
This is a serious threat to our country. Ironically, it is the same set of international players, who destroyed our banana industry, by filing complaints at the WTO, to benefit business conglomerates with whom they were affiliated.
At this juncture in our history, as Dominica is poised to take off on an economic boom, they are again trying to to destroy our country, so that we will be dependent on them, and come to them as beggars, while they control us politically.
Where were they in they dark days of 1998 to 2007 when were were in severe economic crisis brought upon us by the same United Workers Party that they are now trying to impose on us. What assistance did they give to us when we were is that economic black hole ?
We must stand up and give the Dominica Labour Party a resounding victory, in the upcoming general elections, so that there can be no doubt that the people of Dominica
reject the U W P and their imperial masters. We must determine our future.
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We are forever grateful for the manner in which the right Honourable Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit has led Dominica over the course of his tenure as Prime Minister of Dominica. We will stand by him for another 5 years. December 06, 2019 will be a day that will go down in history for Honourable Skerrit and the Dominica Labour Party as they once again, WIN general elections with a landslide victory!
We Labourites are peaceful. Our political leader continuously advises that we remain calm, violence-free and focused. We will rally with our leader and party.
No one can fail Honourable Skerrit on performance. NOT POSSIBLE!
Forward ever! Backward never!
I don’t like the idea of interfering into Dominica’s internal matter but when you neighbor’s house is on fire you should wet yours.
Very interesting comments about external forces meddling or instigating the unrest in Dominica. I pray for an urgent solution because I’m Grenadian and i had similar experience.
America is run by a terrorist psychopathic raigme. Their foreign policy is to export guns, bombs, death and destruction and steal resources from any and every one. America is so rotten to the core by corruption, it has become crazy and is feeding on it self. Like a rabid dog it needs to be put down.