Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described Kamina Johnson Smith, as a unifying candidate, for both the Commonwealth and the Caribbean Community ( Caricom) .

He was responding to concerns about the nomination of Mrs Johnson smith as a candidate for the post of secretary general of the commonwealth.

The issue has become a contentious one, with fears of a division in Caricom, after some member states indicated, that the group had already pledged to support the incumbent, baroness Patricia Scotland, for a second term.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, opposition leader Mark Golding, questioned the way in which the situation is being handled.

In response, Mr. Holness pointed out, that the position taken came after consultation with Caricom, and careful examination of the state of affairs in the commonwealth.

Meantime, questions have been raised about the timing of the announcement of Mrs. Johnson Smith‘s nomination, just days ahead of the impending visit of the president of Rwanda to Jamaica, next week.

President Paul Kagame, is the incoming chairman for the Commonwealth Conference 2022 / 2024, and will be heading the meeting to elect the next secretary general, in Rwanda, in June.

Mr. Holness told parliament, that the president‘s visit, was arranged years ago, but had to be delayed, due to the Covid pandemic.

He assured that the nomination is not related to the visit.

As it regards questions about Jamaica seeking to become a republic, but still being part of the commonwealth, Mr. Holness pointed out that membership in the commonwealth, is not dependent on the Queen being the head of state.