The incumbent Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland has been reelected for a second term in office during the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022, in Kigali, Rwanda.
Scotland, who has occupied the position for the past 6 years, was reelected to continue in serving for the next two years, despite earlier reports that she would be ousted in favour of the Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kamina Johnson-Smith, who had the backing of the United Kingdom and India.
Baroness Scotland received 27 votes against Kamina Johnson Smith’s 23 votes in a vote which had seemingly divided the 54-members of The Commonwealth, with some back Scotland to continue and others looking to bring on board a new Secretary General.
Scotland successfully managed to retain her position despite not being backed by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with analysts stating that her historic win as signified the trust countries had in her to continue, having led the body through difficult times.
By press time, further details of the poll which happened behind closed doors were yet to emerge but the Jamaican contender took to Twitter to congratulate the incumbent, stating that ‘God wasn’t ready’ for her to leave Jamaica yet.
“Thanking all the countries and people who supported me in this journey! As I said to many of you- if I didn’t pull through, God wasn’t ready for me to leave Jamaica yet! Much love always, I continue to serve, and of course, sincere congratulations to Baroness Scotland.” Kamina tweeted.
“Thank you for your gracious congratulations and I am looking forward to working with you closely in the years to come. I am sure you will achieve great things by God’s grace.” responded Scotland.
It is understood that her term will be two years, instead of the usual 4 years, having stayed two years longer than her first term, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
