Nashville, Tennessee, USA — May 30, 2020
A retired Professor of International Relations and Security Studies and Fulbright Scholar says the pre-election events unfolding in St. Kitts and Nevis have astounding, far-reaching consequences that have the potential to make the twin-island Federation the new pariah of the western hemisphere.
Dr. Daniel K. Gibran wrote that St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris’ use of the State of Emergency and Covid-19 has become an excuse for taking the short step from authoritarianism to dictatorship. He noted that the Harris government was in discussion with the OAS Secretary General eleven days before the election, with no indication it would deny the observer request, yet on May 27 revoked the invitation under the pretext of COVID-19 quarantine protocols.
“Harris’ march to governance by fiat and the complete evisceration of the rule of law is unrelenting. While he may not be infected with the coronavirus, he shows every sign that he has been infested by the virus of election rigging,” wrote Dr. Gibran.
He drew a comparison to Hungarian strongman Victor Orban, noting that “Seizing upon the State of Emergency and Covid-19 has become an excuse for taking the short step from authoritarianism to dictatorship.” Dr. Gibran stated that the events unfolding have the potential to take the society 50 years back, discarding the development and progress achieved by pioneers such as Robert Bradshaw and Paul Southwell.