Barbados Officially Becomes A Republic

Barbados has officially become a republic, swearing in their first president Sandra Mason who said “we do this so that we may seize the full substance of our sovereignty.”

The New York Times reported, “In the early hours of Tuesday, at a ceremony attended by hundreds of masked officials, a prince and at least one pop star, the Caribbean island of Barbados became a republic, cutting ties with Queen Elizabeth II and casting off the last major vestige of its colonial past.

“The nation swore in its first president, Sandra Mason, a former governor general who had been appointed by the queen. A 21-gun salute rang out as the national anthem played. The red, yellow and navy blue royal flag was lowered — exactly 55 years after the country gained independence from Britain.”

Barbados’ Nation News reported, “Moments after being installed in a ceremony filled with pomp and pageantry at National Heroes Square in the capital of Bridgetown, Dame Sandra reminded Barbadians of what made them strong as a people that brought the country through 55 years of Independence, and suggested what would be needed in its new capacity.

“The president noted that when Barbados became independent on November 30, 1966, the island was still seeking to find its national identity to stamp its place in the world.

“Since Independence we have built an international reputation anchored on our characteristics, our national values, our stability and our success, drawing on the lessons of those intervening years, possessing a clear sense of who we are and what we are capable of achieving.

“In the year 2021, we now turn our vessel’s bow towards the new republic. We do this so that we may seize the full substance of our sovereignty,” she added.

Barbados will stay part of the Commonwealth.

#CaribbeanRelations #WorldNews

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