Dame Sandra Mason, newly elected President of Barbados
Despite gaining independence from Britain in 1966, Barbados has just elected its first ever president. For the past 55 years, the Caribbean Island has been under the leadership of Queen Elizabeth and the latest development is a huge step towards full independence from the United Kingdom.
Dame Sandra Mason, the Caribbean island’s newly elected President will be sworn in by November 30th, Barbados Independence Day. She won the two rounds of election after winning a two-thirds of the country’s House of Assembly and Senate votes. Mason, 72, had previously been the Governor General of the island since 2018.
Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley in her reaction to the historic moment described Mason as one who mirrors the values of Barbados,
“We have just elected from among us a woman who is uniquely and passionately Barbadian, does not pretend to be anything else (and) reflects the values of who we are,” Mottley said after Mason’s election.
Motley further said the move to elect its own President is not a denouncement of its British colonial past as the country looks “forward to continuing the relationship with the British monarch”.
“Other Caribbean leaders and their citizens will likely praise the move, but I don’t expect others to follow suit,” Mowla added. “This move will always be considered only if it is in the best interest of each country.”
