Dr. Thomson Fontaine, an economist, was re-elected as the head of the main opposition United Workers Party while acknowledging that his previous term was harmed by his long absence from Dominica.
Fontaine was re-elected during the party’s congress in Marigot, northeast of here, on Sunday night. She has advised South Sudan’s leadership on economic and international affairs for four years.
Former party leader and opposition leader Lennox Linton was re-elected party president.
I am humbled by the delegates’ choice despite my absence being a challenge. I’m glad they let me lead the celebration.
“I think I was able to persuade them that we can do this together (and) that at the end of the day it is about giving Dominica good representation, it’s about challenging a government that has not worked for the people of Dominica,” said the former IMF staffer.
“I’m thrilled tonight. In the following year, my focus will be on constituencies, party reconstruction, party structures, youth and women’s empowerment, and electoral reform.
Sir Dennis Byron, the one-man commission that examined constitutional reform, reported to Roosevelt Skerrit. The government circulated the report and said it wanted to present it to Parliament as quickly as possible.
Last December, the UWP boycotted the general election for electoral reform.
Fontaine, who will appear before a High Court here in 2022 on a charge of inciting violence and obstruction of justice in connection with the Roseau disturbance on February 7, 2017, said party unity is also essential.
“In my speech, I stressed party unity. Everyone can’t agree on everything, but I think we need to realise that we can only succeed if we work together, said Fontaine.
