Renunciation of Walrond’s US citizenship; APNU+AFC wants proof

The APNU+AFC coalition wants proof that Minister of Tourism Oneidge Walrond-Allicock has renounced her United States citizenship.

The coalition, with the largest number of opposition seats in the National Assembly, wrote the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, asking for a copy of the Minister’s certificate of renunciation.

In a letter signed by the Coalition’s Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, the coalition wants “confirmation that at the time Ms. Walrond took the oath as a member of the National Assembly, she was no longer a citizen of the United States of America”.

The Minister in a statement said that she renounced her US citizenship prior to taking the oath as a member of the National Assembly.  President Irfaan Ali also confirmed that the minister informed him of her status and later, her renunciation.

The minister has submitted her certificate to the Clerk of the National Assembly, who has since said he is seeking legal advice on the matter.

The Clerk had previously asked several persons tipped to be members of the 12th Sitting of Parliament to submit their renunciation documents. Walrond-Allicock was not one of those who did.

Following a ruling of the High Court in 2019, the political parties as well as the National Assembly are ensuring they uphold Article 115 (1) of the Constitution. That article is explicit about members holding dual citizenship, as it says no person shall be qualified for elections as a member if that member “is by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state”.