Pres. Ali refuses resignation of COI chairman despite U.S. revoked his visa

(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali has “emphatically” rejected an offer of resignation from Godfrey Smith, the Chairman of the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry (CoI), following the abrupt revocation of Smith’s United States visa amid mounting geopolitical fallout over China ties.

Smith revealed the development on Tuesday morning in a press conference before the CoI hearings resumed in Guyana. He confirmed that upon receiving notification from the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, he immediately approached the head of state to step down “as a matter of professionalism.” “Even though I have acted in no untoward way whatsoever, the professional thing to do, because it’s not my decision… is to inform him of what has happened and to offer to him to resign in the event he believes that in any way…it ain’t my role as Chairman of the Commission,” Smith told reporters. “And he emphatically declined the offer.”

Full coverageIrfaan Ali Rejects Godfrey Smith’s Resignation Offer After US Revokes Visa6 reports

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With the President’s backing, Smith remains at the helm of the high-profile tribunal investigating the capsizing and sinking of the passenger vessel MV Barima. The U.S. notification, received by Smith on November 7, cited Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, indicating that information had come to light rendering him potentially ineligible for the visa. However, when Smith contacted the embassy himself to verify the email and request an explanation, he was informed that no further details would be provided.