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‘Sonny’ Ramphal, titan of Caribbean diplomacy, dies at 95

by Sandy Deane
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Sir Shridath Sonny Ramphal, one of the Caribbean’s most influential statesmen, former West Indies Federation and Guyanese Cabinet minister who rose to become Commonwealth Secretary-General at the height of the anti-apartheid movement, has died aged 95, his family confirmed on Friday.

In a statement issued by his son-in-law, Antiguan diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders, the family announced that Sir Shridath died peacefully, surrounded by his children.

Sir Shridath’s career spanned more than seven decades, during which he played a pivotal role in global diplomacy and Caribbean development. Educated at King’s College London and Gray’s Inn, London, he served as the Assistant Attorney-General of the West Indies Federation, Minister of Justice and Foreign Affairs of Guyana, and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth from 1975 to 1990. 

Sir Shridath was instrumental in the fight against apartheid in South Africa and was praised by Nelson Mandela for his commitment to justice, with Mandela once remarking: “He is one of those men who have become famous because, in their fight for human justice, they have chosen the whole world as their theatre.”

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, in her tribute, said Sir Shridath was the embodiment of a “Caribbean man and global citizen,” adding: “I can think of no other product of our region whose name was followed by more ‘letters’ from more organisations and countries than Sir Shridath — all well deserved.”

Reflecting on his legacy, Mottley said: “Today, as we reflect on his passing, I am satisfied that the extent of his service to this region and the world for almost three-quarters of a century has irreversibly stamped his name in the annals of Caribbean history. There is a smaller group that stands at the pinnacle of Caribbean greatness, people whose lifetime of labour for the betterment of West Indian people has compelled us to view them, not by the country of their birth, but by their efforts to make us recognise and honour our oneness.”

Sir Shridath chaired the West Indian Commission, whose 1992 report Time for Action remains a key blueprint for the Caribbean integration movement. He also served as Chancellor of the University of Guyana, the University of the West Indies, and Warwick University, and was the only person to have contributed to every Global Commission on environment, development, and disarmament between 1980 and 1995.

Throughout his career, Sir Shridath took on numerous roles, including President of the World Conservation Union and Chief Negotiator for the Caribbean on External Economic Relations. His dedication to diplomacy extended into his later years. 

In 2020, at 92, he became the first lawyer to appear virtually before the International Court of Justice, representing Guyana in its border dispute with Venezuela.

Widely regarded as a towering figure in international relations, Sir Shridath earned numerous honours, including the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC), the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG), the Order of Excellence of Guyana (OE), the Order of Merit of Jamaica (OM), the Order of the Companions of Oliver Tambo from South Africa, Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), and an appointment to the Order of New Zealand, New Zealand’s highest civil honour. 

Born on October 3, 1928  in New Amsterdam, British Guiana (now Guyana), Sir Shridath’s death comes four years after that of his wife of 67 years, Lois, Lady Ramphal, in September 2019. (SD)

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