Above: Dominica (Photo: Dominica Tourism)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Dominica’s parliament has named Eliud Williams as its seventh president.

Williams was officially sworn in Monday by Justice Brian Cottle.

The choice was not without controversy, amid charges by the opposition United Workers’ Party that the appointment process was done in a manner contrary to the constitution.

“I am proud to look out across our beautiful country and see just how far we have come in so little time,” he said. “So many of us have worked hard and long to develop this country so that we can all be proud of what we have built.”

Williams succeeds Nicholas Liverpool in the role, after the latter stepped down due to reported health problems.

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Liverpool “served his country with distinction and left a very positive image of Dominica wherever he visited.”

“I make a commitment to safeguard the laws and governing system of our country, and I ask for commitment from you as well,” Williams said. “As we continue on our path of development, we will have the opportunity to make many choices, but let us never forget that with each of these opportunities come responsibilities — responsibilities to ourselves and to each other.”