DOMINICA – January 12, 2026: Political tensions escalate in the Commonwealth of Dominica as United Progressive Party leader Joshua Francis issues an urgent mobilization directive against ongoing excavation operations at the Deux Branches site. The opposition leader characterizes the situation as an ecological emergency threatening the nation’s environmental heritage.
Francis has initiated a broad coalition movement transcending political affiliations, summoning citizens from all demographic backgrounds to participate in sustained demonstrations at the excavation location. The movement has gained significant cultural momentum with the participation of internationally acclaimed musical artist Nasio Fontaine, whose artistic legacy extensively incorporates environmental advocacy themes.
“Our biological heritage cannot be commodified. Our ancestral legacy remains non-negotiable. We refuse to mortgage our future for transient economic benefits,” Francis declared during a press briefing. The UPP leadership emphasizes this demonstration represents a constitutional imperative rather than partisan politics, framing environmental protection as fundamental to national survival.
Protest organizers have established a continuous presence at Deux Branches, vowing to maintain vigil until governmental authorities terminate all excavation activities. Fontaine’s involvement provides symbolic resonance to the movement, bridging cultural preservation with ecological conservation in what participants describe as a defining moment for Dominican environmental history.
The political leader concluded with a historical challenge: “This constitutes our generational examination. Shall we witness passively as our natural endowment undergoes destruction, or shall we collectively safeguard what rightfully belongs to all Dominicans—contemporary and prospective? Historical judgment will derive from our deeds, not our declarations.”
The UPP has formally requested national media institutions, civil society organizations, and environmentally conscious citizens to amplify their advocacy efforts through peaceful resistance and strategic awareness campaigns.