After five months of open rupture, Heads of Government agree to seek a CCJ advisory opinion on the disputed reappointment of Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett — a rare victory for Caribbean institutionalism over political attrition.

Calvin G. Brown –  After five months of escalating recrimination that threatened to fracture the Caribbean Community at its highest level, CARICOM’s Heads of Government have chosen law over politics.

In a statement issued Tuesday from the Secretariat at Turkeyen, the Conference announced that the bitter dispute over the reappointment of Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett will be referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for an advisory opinion — with the status quo preserved “unless and until” the Community considers the Court’s answer.