Fonseca Defends Vacancy, Promises New Ombudsman

Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca, a senior Cabinet member, also weighed in on the vacant Ombudsman post. Fonseca argues that the government was under no obligation to renew the former Ombudsman’s contract. He also indicated that a new Ombudsman will be identified and appointed within the next few weeks.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“I think, I mean, I don’t know where this narrative developed that the contract had to be renewed. There was no obligation on the part of the government to renew the Ombudsman’s contract. He served, he is a friend of mine. I have great respect for Major Swaso. He served well. His contract expired and the government made it clear to me that it would not be renewing that contract. It has only been a week that we have been without an Ombudsman. I am very confident that within he next few weeks a new Ombudsman will be appointed. Sometimes we forget, but I can recall under the UDP administration where we did not have an Ombudsman, a contractor general and an integrity commission for two years. None of that has happened dunder this administration. We will we fill the post with someone who is qualified, competent and enjoy the trust of the Belizean people.”