Belmopan Mayor Palacio Faces Council Opposition Over Deputy Mayor Appointment

Belmopan Mayor Sheran Palacio has fired back at her council and the Ministry of Local Government regarding her appointment of Hope Amadi as Deputy Mayor in her absence. Palacio, who is in Dubai attending the COP 28 conference, said that the objections to Amadi’s appointment is another attempt by her council to undermine her authority. She notes that she has made appointments to cover her absences on several occasions without any objection from the council or the ministry. In a letter posted on social media, and addressed to the residents of Belmopan Palacio wrote, quote, “To set the record straight, Councilor Sanie Cal’s role as Deputy Mayor ended on October 9, 2023. A motion was moved and seconded at a virtual council meeting held on October 26, 2023 to dissolve his role,” End of quote. She added that five of the six Councilors protested having a virtual election so they all agreed to hold an in-person election on December 12. Palacio says that Amadi was only appointed under those circumstances. Lending clarification to the entire issue is the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Local Government, Valentino Shal.

Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government:  “The situation with the Belmopan City Council is actually very simple. There is a process that takes place when a mayor leaves the country and goes out of the jurisdiction or goes on leave for some reason. The Deputy Mayor assumes the role of the mayor when the mayor is on leave and that is according to the act and so that’s all that needs to be followed and that’s all we remind the mayor of. That procedure was not followed no. It wasn’t followed and we’re saying you have to follow the procedure that is in the law. The term of the Deputy Mayor ends when there is the election of a new mayor and that’s what’s in the law. So whatever arrangements they have made it doesn’t follow the law then -. The Belmopan City Council act has provisions for penalties and that sort of thing but I don’t think that particular provision has any penalties so I’m not sure. We’ll have to review that and look at that closely.”

Mayor Palacio has accused CEO Shal as being racist, an accusation that he has since denied and condemned.

Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government:  “That is very unfortunate. I don’t think we should be talking about each other like that. When people attack you personally it’s because they normally have run out of arguments to attack you and start to attack you personally but that is not what we’re here for. We’re here to ensure that there is governance at the municipal level and that the act that governs each council is followed. That’s really what we’re here.”

Reporter: In one of her posts she claimed she’s a victim of gender based violence directed against her by your ministry. 

Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government:  “We are simply reminding the mayor to abide by the provisions of the Belmopan City Council Act that’s really what we’re doing.”

As it relates to Councilor Hope Amadi, he has reportedly told one media house that he will not step down as the deputy unless Mayor Palacio tells him to do so.

Reporter: Mr. Amadi told me he’s going to stay there he’s not going anywhere. He told me he’s appointed by the mayor and he won’t move until she instructs him to leave and he’s in there today. Will there be some type of showdown sir ? 

Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government:  “I don’t think so. The law is very clear. The law must be followed and the law will be enforced that’s really what it is.”

Reporter: So enforcing the law means ejecting him from that office though? 

Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government:  “Well if the law doesn’t give you a right to be there you don’t belong there.”