CASTRIES, ST. Lucia, CMC – St. Lucia is observing its 47th anniversary of political independence from Britain on Sunday, with Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre urging unity in the future socio-economic development of the island.
“Forty-seven years ago, we raised our flag with pride and with faith in ourselves.
Independence is the daily work of building a country that cares for its people, protects its values, and believes in its own strength. It is about the small sacrifices, the quiet efforts, the determination to move forward even when the road is not easy.
“As we mark Independence Day 47, let us remember who we are. A resilient people. A united people. A proud nation,” Pierre said.
Pierre said he had joined nationals at the Independence Flag Raising Ceremony, remembering that “our flag stood as a powerful symbol of our resilience, our unity, and our enduring belief in the promise of this nation.
“We honour the sacrifices that secured our freedom and renew our commitment to building a stronger, fairer Saint Lucia for all. May our flag continue to fly high with pride and purpose.”
The 47th Independence Anniversary is being observed under the theme “Douvan Ansanm: Nourishing Our People, Strengthening Our Nation,” with a series of events, including a military parade and a national independence rally in Micoud, a fishing village on the southeast coast of the island.
In a message posted on his Facebook page, Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet also urged unity among St. Lucians.
“As we celebrate our 47th Independence Anniversary, let this day remind us that our future is still ours to shape. If we stand united, put country before self, and hold fast to hope, there is nothing Saint Lucia cannot achieve.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Dr. Didacus Jules, has, in his message, focused on achieving a “nourished” country through vision.
“It reminds us that independence is not merely a date on the calendar. It is a daily discipline. We nourish our people by feeding them not only with good, healthy, homegrown food, but also with opportunity; not only with programs, but with purpose; not only with hope, but with action,” said the St. Lucian-born Jules.
His remarks highlighted the need to protect the vulnerable, invest in people’s strengths, and support the foundational organisations of family and community, with Jules referencing the inescapable realities of geopolitical tensions and their effects on trade, development, and climate financing.
“Independence is not only about freedom from colonial rule. It is about the capacity to navigate a complex world with strategic balance. It is about resilience in the face of pressure. It is about the coherence to act as one nation – and, through CARICOM and the OECS, as one region.
If ‘Douvan Ansanm’ means anything in 2026, it must mean national consensus on the fundamentals: Consensus that our sovereignty is non-negotiable. Consensus that our democracy must be safeguarded. Consensus that our development must be inclusive. Consensus that in times of external pressure, we close ranks – not fracture,” he added.
Jules also reminded that, despite the inequalities that small island states face, unity has always been the founding pillar of survival in the region:
“Through the OECS, Saint Lucia is not alone. Our integration movement was born out of necessity, and it can only be sustained by solidarity. The Revised Treaty of Basseterre was crafted precisely because we understood that individually we are small, but together we are formidable.
“As Director General of the OECS, I say this with conviction: the future of our region depends on the strength of each member state. A strong Saint Lucia strengthens the OECS. A resilient Saint Lucia strengthens CARICOM. A united Saint Lucia strengthens the Caribbean,” he added.
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