Dominican PM sworn-in amid opposition protest
Prime Minister Roosevelt
Skerrit (R) being sworn-in
by President of Dominica, Dr Nicholas Liverpool
by Paul Charles
Caribbean Net News Dominica Correspondent
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
ROSEAU, Dominica: Roosevelt Skerrit was on
Monday sworn-in as Dominica's Prime Minister amid a street protest here by the
opposition United Workers Party (UWP) who accused the Dominica Labour Party (DLP)
of rigging the May 5 general election. The
DLP claimed 12 seats, including the Castle Bruce seat it gained by one vote in
a recount on Friday, to retain power. The UWP collected eight seats while the
other went to an independent candidate. After
Skerrit was sworn-in by President Dr Nicholas Liverpool, he promised to serve
with "the highest sense of integrity and honesty".
"I will continue to represent the people of
Dominica with the highest sense of integrity and honesty as we seek to bring
prosperity to Dominica," he said.
The Dominican leader said the rest of his
Cabinet would be announced and sworn-in on Thursday, while Ian Douglas, the
nephew of late Prime Minister Rosie Douglas would be sworn-in as Attorney
General on Monday afternoon. While the
swearing in was taking place at the President's Office, about one mile away
hundreds of UWP supporters protested outside the Electoral Office claiming
that there were discrepancies in five of the 21 constituencies.
Several carried placards and shouted
anti-government sentiments. One placard said "Stolen Elections", another read
"My children are suffering, we need election now".
At a UWP rally on Sunday night in Castle Bruce, an east coast village that is
at the centre of the row following the last minute change from the UWP to DLP
candidate in the official vote count, its leader Edison James told his
supporters to turn up in the capital to seek justice.
"I want you to go to Roseau and seek justice. It's now or never, you have the
power in your hands to get justice done," he said.
In responding to James' remarks, PM Skerrit urged the opposition to face the
courts for answers instead of turning to street protest.
"I really want to stress the need that if we
have any difficulty in the country there is a legal process involved in
addressing our concerns. We should not encourage or tolerate anybody who wants
to incite violence or lawlessness," Skerrit said.
Speakers at the protest called for intensive action against the government.
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