He's caused government embarrassment locally and internationally, while winning epic legal battles in courtrooms from the Privy Council to the Supreme Court. Indeed, as Solicitor General, Elson Kaseke was legendary for his legal wiles, and his courtroom swagger, but next month, he will no longer hold that post. Today Attorney General Francis Fonseca confirmed that Kaseke is on the out. Fonseca explained it as a mutually agreeable parting of ways.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Attorney General
"Mr. Kaseke as the Solicitor General of Belize, I believe, has done very good work as a legal advisor to the government of Belize. He is a very competent gentleman, a very competent attorney and has served our country well, I believe, in that capacity as solicitor general. But the reality is that his contract came to an end earlier this month and Mr. Kaseke's contract will not be renewed. That is the end of that matter. But I have to say it's a decision made on both sides. Mr. Kaseke felt it was time for him to move on and we felt it was an opportunity for us to have a new beginning. And I do not think it reflects in any way his competence as an attorney. I want to be on record as saying that as the Attorney General that I've enjoyed working relationship with him as Solicitor General and I believe he has performed very well. Any attorney who has worked with Mr. Kaseke in court, and I think any member of the judiciary, will tell you he is very competent. I don't want anyone to feel that because his contract will not be renewed, that it is reflecting on his competence in any way."
Alfonso Noble,
Will you all be looking in the country or out of the country for a replacement?
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"No initially I think we will have to look inside, in fact we have started that work already. He will continue to serve until the end of this month and we will bring in someone from the local private bar to work as Solicitor General at least for an interim period."
Kaseke will serve up until the end of this month when a new, likely local Solicitor General will be appointed. Sol Gen Kaseke had emerged as a very public figure for a government often caught up in litigious pursuit against powerful opponents. But as much as her performed in the court, he caused embarrassment outside of it, in acts of excess and personal misconduct, culminating in him getting arrested in the U.S. for drunken behavior inside an airplane. Later, he was reprimanded by the Chief Justice for unseemly courtroom conduct, and recently the Integrity Commission found that his directorship of the private registry was inappropriate.
