A leaked letter from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggests that the Commonwealth is facing a period of uncertainty over its leadership as moves are being made against the reelection of the secretary-general.
According to the BBC, the Commonwealth heads of governments have rejected calls for Baroness Scotland to be automatically given a second term in office.
The leaked Boris Johnson letter suggests that an alternative candidate should stand against the incumbent secretary-general.
Baroness Scotland’s four-year term comes to an end next month. It is now feared that a fierce diplomatic battle will now ensue over the future leadership of the group of 53 nations.
A number nations had previously indicated that they would be supportive of Baroness Scotland being granted an automatic second term in office.
However, after consulting with all 53 nations, the leaked letter revealed that twice as many Commonwealth countries were opposed to the proposition.
The Commonwealth has agreed to give Baroness Scotland a short three-month extension to her term of office, before the leaders meet in Rwanda in June for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
A Commonwealth spokesperson said that it “does not comment on leaked documents as a matter of principle.”
