…Moves a step closer to following in father’s footsteps as prime minister after scandal involving predecessor

Former Bad Boy rapper Shyne has moved one step closer to completing his journey from convict to prime minister, after being appointed leader of the Opposition in his homeland, Belize.

In a post on Instagram, 42-year-old Shyne, whose given name is Moses Barrow, said all he has been through in his life had prepared him for “this historic moment in time”.

Shyne’s full statement:

Officially Sworn in as Leader of the Opposition for Belize!

Thank Gd for the perseverance and iron will to continue on to this point despite all challenges and difficulties.

Thanks to my family, my Mesopotamia Constituents and my Opposition colleagues in the House of Representatives whose trust and confidence in me has put me in this position to receive this responsibility and privilege of a lifetime to serve as Leader of the Opposition.

All that I have been through in my 42 years on earth has prepared me for this historic moment in time to be able to shoulder this responsibility, to deliver on this opportunity to build my Nation.

I pray for continued wisdom, strength and stamina to serve and lead my Nation.

The sanctity of the office I hold lies in its mandate to be a vehicle of betterment and advancement for the masses especially those disenfranchised, overlooked and underprivileged.

This moment in history will forever serve as an inspiration to all people from all backgrounds especially the youth, the disadvantaged the impoverished, that there is nothing beyond their reach.

I promise to work steadfast with my Shadow Cabinet, leaders of the Party, the delegates, the Party faithful and the social partners to be a robust Opposition that will hold this Government to account and emerge as the best alternative for the people of Belize who want and deserve a better quality of life.

Hon. Shyne Barrow
Leader of the Opposition
House of Representatives
MP for Mesopotamia
UDP

Shyne’s appointment as Opposition Leader comes just months after he won the Mesopotamia seat in Belize City in the November 2020 general election.

That election, however, saw the United Democratic Party (UDP), to which Shyne belongs, ousted from power.

READ: Belize’s booted gov’t still has ‘Shyne’

Shyne’s father and the prime minister at the time, Dean Barrow, had earlier announced that he would be retiring from active politics, leaving the party in the hands of Patrick Faber, who had hoped to lead the UDP to political victory and a fourth consecutive term in government.

However, Faber saw his own fortunes falter after a video was released which appeared to show him charging at his child’s mother.

Shyne will now take the reins of the party as he seeks to recapture the glory his father brought to the UDP.

While the next general election remains years away, Shyne, who just 20 years ago was slapped with a 10-year prison sentence for his role in a 1999 Manhattan nightclub shooting that almost brought an end to rap mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ career, will be looking forward to achieving the promise in politics that escaped him in the entertainment industry.