Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith lost her bid to become the Commonwealth’s next Secretary General.

She challenged Baroness Patricia Scotland but lost in a 27 to 24 vote at the meeting taking place in Kigali Rwanda.

In a statement this morning (June 24), the Commonwealth Spokesperson said leaders of the Commonwealth made a decision by consensus to re-appoint Secretary-General, Scotland for a further two years to complete the balance of her period in office.

Meantime, Mrs Johnson Smith in a tweet this morning thanked all the countries and people who supported her. She also congratulated Baroness Scotland.

In response, Baroness Scotland thanked the Minister for her gracious congratulations adding that she is looking forward to working with Mrs Johnson Smith closely in the years to come.

Baroness Scotland who spoke earlier at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting says she is determined that when the time comes, she will hand over the baton with a more powerful Commonwealth than ever before.

Meantime, Prime Minister Andrew Holness in responding to the result of the Commonwealth Secretary General race also congratulated Baroness Patricia Scotland on her re-election.

He said it was a good contest and the Baroness prevailed.

The Prime Minister also paid heartfelt congratulations and commendations to Mrs Johnson Smith who he said ran a distinguished and exemplary campaign.

Mr Holness added that Jamaica remains deeply proud of Minister Johnson Smith and is happy to have put forward such a strong, credible and competent candidate.

He stated that her candidature won her the respect and admiration of many countries within the Commonwealth family and brought prominence to Jamaica and its ability to contest within such a large international institution.

According to the Prime Minister, several members of the Cabinet have mixed feelings and are relieved that Senator Johnson Smith remains Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

He said Jamaica continues to believe in the Commonwealth, its diversity and its potential to deliver for its people.