On Saturday, the Jamaican government announced that the Constitutional Reform Commission had agreed to transform the country into a republican state, while separating relations with the British monarchy, a decision that will be submitted to a referendum.
The Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs said in a statement about the consensus reached in the committee, which has held five meetings since its establishment.
Marilyn Malahu Forte also indicated that the positions of President of the Republic of Jamaica and Head of Government of the country are expected to be created.
Regarding the committee’s work, “decisions are taken by consensus” and “all matters are discussed broadly, taking into account public domain opinions and experience and also where we wish to go,” the official added.
Jamaica began this process of becoming a republic in early March.
Malahu Forte told Parliament that while a referendum would be needed for Jamaica to remove the British monarch as head of state, the process would have to involve political cooperation.
The government of Jamaica, which became independent from the United Kingdom in 1962, plans to hold a referendum on creating a republic early next year.
Several former British colonies in the Caribbean have expressed their intention to cease being constitutional monarchies and become republics, similar to Barbados, which made this decision in November 2021.
William Shakespeare is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, history, and current affairs. With a keen eye for storytelling and analysis, he produces informative articles that help readers understand the people, ideas, and events influencing modern life.
