Antigua and Barbuda wants a referendum on independence from the British crown

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has stated that he plans to hold a referendum to decide whether the country will break away from the British monarchy and become a republic.

Read also: Check out our coverage on Central America

“This is an issue that needs to be addressed in a referendum (…) it is not a manifestation of disagreement between Antigua and Barbuda and the monarchy. It is the last step to complete the circle of independence to become a truly sovereign country”, Browne said in an interview with the ITV channel.

Responding to a question about the timeframe for resolving the issue, the prime minister said that he plans to organize the vote “within the next three years.”

Antigua and Barbuda is part of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association that, in addition to the United Kingdom, includes almost all of its former colonies, dominions, and protectorates. With the death of Elizabeth II, her son and her successor, King Charles III of Great Britain, assumed command of the Commonwealth.