INTERNATIONAL: Barbados swears in its own president as head of state as Caribbean island distances itself from colonial past. Barbados has finally become a republic, replacing the British monarch as its head of state and severing its last remaining colonial bonds nearly 400 years after the first English ships arrived at the Caribbean island.
The new republic was born to the cheers of hundreds of people lining Chamberlain Bridge in the capital, Bridgetown, at the stroke of midnight. A 21-gun salute fired as the national anthem of Barbados was played over a crowded Heroes Square.
Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, stood somberly as the royal standard was lowered and the new Barbados declared, a step republicans hope will spur discussion of similar proposals in other former British colonies where Queen Elizabeth II remains their sovereign.
After a dazzling display of Barbadian dance and music, complete with speeches celebrating the end of colonialism, Sandra Mason was sworn in as Barbados’s first president in the shadow of Barbados’s parliament.
Mason was elected last month by a joint session of the country’s House of Assembly and Senate. Supporters of the transition say removing the British queen as Barbados’s head of state sends a powerful message.
The move to republicanism – which local leaders described as the “next logical step toward full sovereignty” – was announced last year during the annual Throne Speech. “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind,” said Mason, who delivered the speech on behalf of Mottley in her then-role as governor-general. “Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state.”
At the same time, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley has declared Rihanna, the 33-year-old Barbadian singer, actress, fashion designer, and businesswoman, born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados, would be conferred with the honour of National Hero of Barbados to cheers. Rihanna was called up before the crowds to be congratulated by Mottley. She became a national hero on Tuesday, 30 November during its republican celebrations in her hometown. The PM was quotes as saying, “On behalf of a grateful nation and prouder people, Barbadian therefore present to the public and the world the designee for national hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty. May you continue to shine like a diamond, and bring honour to your nation by your words, by your actions, and to do credit wherever you shall go. God bless you my dear."
