Barbados forms RSTAC for transition from Monarchy to Republican

Barbados: The development of a Republican Status Transition Advisory Committee (RSTAC) to start with a plan and head the island‘s transition from a monarchical system to a republic, the Barbados government has declared.

The new Republican Status Transition Advisory Committee was organised, having a plan to work on responsibilities, rights, and hopes, including the younger generation and those in the diaspora of their country. The acting Cabinet Secretary, Hughland Allman, will supervise the Committee.

The RSTAC will be examining all prior work done towards getting Barbados to become a republic. This includes evaluating the draft Constitution Bill, 2004.

The Committee would approach individual freedoms and strengthen the values of religious, spiritual, and racial understanding in Barbados. This recent announcement from Barbados has influenced other Caribbean island’s population, for which they are urging their governments to do the same.

The expectations of the Barbadians, with values such as dignity and respect, will become the main point in the future. They will also evaluate the benefits and possibilities of Barbados becoming a multilingual society. The Cabinet said the Committee’s medium-term would be submitted by June 30, and the final report is expected by the end of September.

Barbados achieved independence from Britain on November 30, 1966. In 2020, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said Barbadians wanted a Barbadian head of state and said “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind.”

Barbados aims to complete all the formalities till the 55th anniversary of independence in November 2021. The island would follow other Caribbean nations who have removed Queen Elizabeth as their head of state.

In the early 19th century, Haiti was known for being the first independent nation in the Caribbean. It is also said to be the world’s first black republic. After overthrowing the French colonial rule and overcome the slavery of the French, Haiti‘s independence is said to have influenced many following rebellions by those held across the Caribbean.