标签： Dominica

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has intervened in a politically charged extradition case involving Guyanese opposition leader Azruddin Mohamed and his associate Nazar Mohamed. During a procedural conference convened on March 25, 2026, the regional court imposed a temporary stay on extradition proceedings pending its decision on the applicants’ request for special leave.

The case originates from an October 30, 2025 extradition request by the United States government, seeking the Mohameds’ transfer to face an eleven-count criminal indictment alleging conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, and money laundering. Following the request, Guyanese authorities issued an Authority to Proceed under the Fugitive Offenders Act and obtained arrest warrants, initiating formal extradition proceedings.

The applicants previously challenged the validity of the extradition process through judicial review proceedings in domestic courts, arguing against the legality of the Minister of Home Affairs’ decision to proceed. Both the High Court (February 4, 2026) and Court of Appeal (March 17, 2026) dismissed these challenges and refused to stay the proceedings.

The CCJ, recognizing the matter’s urgency and constitutional significance, established an expedited timeline for consideration. Presided over by Justice Winston Anderson alongside Justices Rajnauth-Lee and Ononaiwu, the court directed respondents to file opposition affidavits by April 2, 2026. Written submissions must be completed by April 10, with reply submissions due by April 15.

The special leave application hearing is scheduled for April 21, 2026, at 9:00 AM Atlantic Standard Time, to be conducted via video conference and livestreamed on the court’s YouTube channel. This proceeding will determine whether the CCJ will hear the substantive appeal against the Guyanese courts’ decisions.

Legal representation features prominent Caribbean jurists, including Senior Counsel Fyard Hosein leading the appellants’ team, while the respondents are represented by Douglas Mendes, SC, and Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, among others. The outcome could set significant precedents for regional judicial review and extradition protocols within the Caribbean Community.

ABUJA – In a powerful address at the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew issued a compelling mandate for strengthened collaboration between African and Caribbean nations, framing the partnership as both a historical imperative and strategic economic opportunity.

Speaking under the theme “Caribbean Perspectives on Unity and Prosperity,” Dr. Drew characterized the current moment as a pivotal juncture to transform ancestral connections into concrete frameworks for political cooperation and economic expansion. His address blended historical reflection with forward-looking resolve, emphasizing that meaningful progress requires courageous leadership even when such moves face initial misunderstanding.

“For those who may not have understood, and even if they don’t understand now, I still forgive them,” Drew stated. “For I understand that the move is bold and it’s unapologetic.”

The Prime Minister positioned his delegation as part of a broader Caribbean coalition deliberately assembled to advance substantive ties with African counterparts. He stressed that this engagement transcends symbolic gesture, representing instead a strategically calculated initiative rooted in shared history and aimed at mutual prosperity.

Historical context formed a critical foundation for Drew’s argument. He noted how both regions maintain deep connections forged through the transatlantic slave trade and sustained through generations of cultural exchange and collective resilience. Recent institutional developments have provided structure to these relationships, notably the African Union’s 2021 designation of CARICOM as the “Sixth Region” of Africa.

Concrete developments are already unfolding: Caribbean nations have established new diplomatic missions across Africa including embassies in Ghana, Kenya, and Ethiopia, while African states have intensified investment outreach in renewable energy, agriculture, fintech, and education sectors throughout the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Drew presented St. Kitts and Nevis as an emerging conduit within this expanding partnership, highlighting the nation’s commitment to South-South cooperation and its readiness to facilitate trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

The summit itself has emerged as a premier forum for advancing these ambitions, with this year’s agenda prioritizing enhanced trade mechanisms, investment flows, tourism development, and air connectivity between the regions. Delegates are exploring direct flight routes that could revolutionize travel and commercial exchange while also addressing collaborative approaches to climate resilience, renewable energy, technology innovation, youth empowerment, and cultural industry development.

For smaller island states like St. Kitts and Nevis, strengthened African ties offer access to new markets, diversified investment sources, and enhanced collaboration on global challenges including climate change, food security, and digital transformation.

Dr. Drew concluded with a call to action, asserting that Africa and the Caribbean—collectively representing over 1.5 billion people—possess the demographic and strategic capacity to reshape global power dynamics through unified action. This would require strengthened diplomatic coordination, expanded trade agreements, and institutions reflecting shared values and aspirations.

“The moment calls for courage,” he declared, “as both regions work to shape a future defined by togetherness, prosperity, and shared progress.”

In a decisive electoral triumph, Lucy Belle-Matthew has emerged victorious in the Roseau City Council Elections, securing her position as the elected councilor for Ward 4. The Monday polls concluded with Belle-Matthew receiving a commanding 408 votes, significantly outpacing her opponent Sherman Boston, who garnered 267 votes.

Following her victory, Belle-Matthew expressed profound gratitude, attributing her success to divine providence with the statement, ‘All praise and thanks to father Yahweh. Great things he has done indeed.’ She extended heartfelt appreciation to her supporters through a detailed Facebook post, acknowledging the critical role of community backing in her campaign’s success.

The councilor-elect specifically recognized her dedicated campaign team, humorously dubbed ‘Team Bicycle,’ which included prominent supporters such as Hon Skerrit and numerous local activists. She emphasized that her electoral success was particularly bolstered by strong support from neighborhoods including Stockfarm, Pottersville, Tarish Pit, Gutter Village, Yampeice, Bellevue, and notably Fond Cole residents.

Belle-Matthew characterized her campaign as fundamentally rooted in unity and a shared commitment to community advancement. Looking forward, she pledged to intensify her engagement with constituents, emphasizing listening, learning, and collaborative efforts toward substantive community development. Her concluding remarks invoked the bicycle metaphor as a continuing symbol of progressive momentum: ‘Let’s keep the momentum going together, as we ride forward.’

Final results from the Roseau City Council elections have unveiled significant disparities in civic participation across the city’s four electoral districts. While three wards demonstrated robust voter engagement exceeding 10% turnout, Ward Three recorded a strikingly low participation rate that diverged from the overall pattern.

In Ward One, 488 ballots were cast, constituting 10.33% of eligible voters, with male voters (57.17%) outnumbering females (42.83%). Ermine Royer emerged victorious with 208 votes, closely followed by Moeshia Joseph with 194 votes.

Ward Two witnessed the second-highest participation citywide, with 542 voters representing 11.62% of the electorate. Female voters predominated at 54.42%, while Paloma Mark secured a commanding lead with 305 votes against Henry Jno Baptiste’s 233.

The most concerning statistics emerged from Ward Three, where merely 119 voters—a meager 4.8% of eligible constituents—participated in the democratic process. Women comprised over two-thirds of the voters in this district, with Quincy Angol receiving 91 votes and Michael Moreau obtaining 74.

Ward Four recorded the highest absolute voter count with 583 ballots cast, equivalent to 11.64% turnout. Female participation again exceeded male participation (53.69% versus 46.3%), and Lucy Belle Matthew achieved a decisive victory with 418 votes.

The Electoral Office characterized overall civic engagement as generally strong, noting that three of four wards surpassed the 10% participation threshold. However, officials acknowledged Ward Three’s anomalously low turnout as a notable exception requiring further analysis to understand the underlying causes of voter disengagement in that specific district.