The Caribbean nation has been independent since 1981, however, it acknowledges the UK Monarch as the head of its state.
The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has emphasised he will call for a referendum for the country’s republic within three years. The announcement was followed after the Prime Minister signed the document confirming Prince Charles’s status as the succeeding King of the monarchy after Queen Elizabeth II.
While speaking the ITV News the Prime Minister said “This is not an act of hostility or any difference between Antigua and Barbuda and the monarchy, but it is the final step to complete that circle of independence, to ensure that we are truly a sovereign nation.”, further adding that it would not involve the country’s retirement from the Commonwealth.
In the past, other countries of the Caribbean have also reiterated their republication of the UK monarchy. After Barbados voted against the monarchy last year, The Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness also hinted at Jamaica becoming a republic.
A minister from Belize has too signalled in “taking the next step” toward owning their independence.
The Commonwealth is a political association of 14 former British territories that still acknowledges the monarch as the head of their state. The prime minister –who is up for re-election next year – amidst the conversation emphasised the step not being a response to the widespread push from Antiguans to hold a vote.
In April, during a trip of the Wessexes to Antigua, Brown proposed the use of their ‘diplomatic influence’ towards the achievement of ‘reparatory justice’ and pressed on his country’s wish to be acknowledged as a republic soon.
The trip was not taken in a good light as Prince Edward was criticised for joking about not taking notes of Brown’s comments.
The country is home to approximately 100,000 people consisting of its two namesake islands among other smaller ones, where a striking 97% of the population resides in Antigua. While Antigua was colonised by the British in the year 1632, they first colonised Barbuda after a few decades in the year 1678.
