CARICOM Hails Peaceful, Credible Conduct of Saint Lucia General Elections

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has praised the peaceful and transparent conduct of Saint Lucia’s 1 December 2025 General Elections, following the deployment of an 11-member Election Observation Mission (CEOM) invited by the government of the island nation.

Led by Chief of Mission, Ian S. Hughes, the team, drawn from nine CARICOM member states including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago arrived in Saint Lucia between 25 and 27 November.

Two officials from the CARICOM Secretariat provided administrative support.

In the days leading up to the vote, the Mission held extensive consultations with key political actors, including Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), Leader of the Opposition Allen Chastanet of the United Workers Party (UWP), independent candidate Stephenson King, and Commissioner of Police Vern Garde.

The observers also engaged with civil society groups, business leaders, persons with disabilities, and the Saint Lucia Electoral Commission, in a bid to assess the political climate and level of preparedness for the elections.

CARICOM noted that while the campaign period was intense—characterised by fierce debates, policy-focused messaging, and occasional personal attacks—it remained largely peaceful, with no reports of election-related violence.

During the advance poll held on 28 November, the Mission observed long queues and delays caused by the limited number of polling centres available to early voters.

Despite the challenge, all eligible voters in line at the close of polls were able to cast their ballot, ensuring no disenfranchisement.

On Election Day, the CEOM covered 317 polling stations across 14 of the country’s 17 constituencies.

Observers reported orderly openings at 6:30 a.m., with adequate police presence, timely delivery of election materials, and the attendance of political agents from major parties.

Voters were said to have turned out early and in high spirits, contributing to a steady turnout throughout the day.

The Mission described polling officials as well-trained, professional and impartial, noting their courteous assistance to elderly and incapacitated voters.

While some polling stations located on upper floors created accessibility challenges, the process generally proceeded smoothly.

However, electronic data clerks struggled with severe connectivity issues that persisted for most of the day.

The CEOM confirmed that voting, closing and counting procedures were carried out strictly in line with Saint Lucia’s electoral guidelines.

Ballot counting was conducted transparently in the presence of political agents and observers, and results were properly recorded on Statements of Poll before being transported for the official tally scheduled for 2 December.

Overall, CARICOM expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the polls, commending polling staff, political party agents and the police for maintaining order and professionalism.

“It is the Mission’s considered view that the results of the General Election will reflect the will of the people of Saint Lucia,” the CEOM stated, urging citizens to remain calm and patient as they await the official results.

The Mission, which departs Saint Lucia on Wednesday, reaffirmed CARICOM’s commitment to supporting the country’s democratic process.

A final report detailing observations and recommendations is expected to be submitted to the CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, in the coming weeks.

Macron Seeks Global Support for Nigeria Amid Rising Insecurity

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the international community to intensify support for Nigeria as the country battles worsening insecurity, particularly in the northern region.

Nigeria has witnessed a surge in deadly attacks and mass abductions in recent months.

In November, armed bandits kidnapped at least 200 pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, drawing widespread condemnation.

Macron, in a statement after speaking with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressed France’s solidarity with Nigeria and pledged stronger cooperation to address the security crisis.

He revealed that France would boost its partnership with Nigerian authorities and extend more support to affected communities.

“I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North,” Macron said.

“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”

Russia Welcomes Trump’s New Security Strategy, Says It Aligns With Moscow’s Vision

Russia has hailed President Donald Trump’s newly released National Security Strategy, describing the document as “largely consistent” with Moscow’s own worldview.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking in an interview published by state news agency Tass on Sunday, said the adjustments in the 33-page strategy marked “a positive step,” though he noted that Russia would continue to study the document closely before making firm conclusions.

The strategy, unveiled by the US administration earlier in the week, adopts markedly softer language toward Russia and does not portray Moscow as a threat.

Instead, it frames Europe as facing what it calls “civilisational erasure,” while outlining priorities such as curbing foreign influence, restricting mass migration, and countering what it describes as censorship within the EU.

The document has drawn strong criticism across Europe, with several EU officials and analysts accusing Washington of echoing Kremlin rhetoric and undermining long-standing transatlantic positions on democracy and security.

The report argues that the US must “re-establish strategic stability to Russia” to stabilise European economies and appears to support political movements opposed to Europe’s current trajectory.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cautioned that issues of freedom of expression “do not belong” in a security strategy, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reminded Washington that “Europe is your closest ally, not your problem.”

Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt described the document as placing itself “to the right of the extreme right.”

The strategy also promotes a revived “Western identity” and praises “patriotic European parties,” raising concerns about US alignment with far-right groups, including Germany’s AfD, which domestic intelligence classifies as extreme right.

Beyond Europe, the strategy signals potential military actions against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, and calls for increased defence spending from Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Taiwan.

In Washington, Democrats warned that the new posture threatens decades of US foreign policy. Representative Jason Crow labelled the strategy “catastrophic,” while Gregory Meeks said it abandons America’s traditional values-based global leadership.