In the latest indication of severe fractures among the Accompon Maroons, controversial Chief Richard Currie is denying reports that he has been ousted from his post.

In a statement on his Instagram page, Currie declared the reports part of a conspiracy “to overthrow the current democratic elected leader for Accompong”.

Said Curry: “The Full Maroon Council ask that both Accompong Maroons of Cockpit Country and the wider public be guided by the lawfully ratified Constitution for the Sovereign State of Accompong.”

Citing Article 1 Section 2 of the Constitution, Currie noted that: “In the event of impeachment, or removal of the Chief, Deputy Chief, and any of the Council members, they will be tried by the Executive Council. The findings of the Executive Council will be brought to the Full Maroon Council for review. If the individual is found guilty, a meeting of the Full Maroon Council will be called with the Maroon citizens of the Sovereign State of Accompong to reveal the findings. A vote will be taken by written ballots for the removal or impeachment of the Chief, the Deputy Chief or any Council Member(s).”

He added: “This Article has NOT been lawfully invoked by the Full Maroon Council nor is there any provision in the Accompong Constitution affording any Council outside the Full Maroon Council to execute the laws under this said Article. Govern yourselves accordingly.”

Currie’s outburst came in response to what was said to be an official report from the desk of the Accompong Town Maroon Council of Elders.

That report stated: “With an astonishing and unanimous vote by the Accompong Town Maroon Council of Elders, all Maroon Council members both in the general Maroon Council and the Grand Maroon Council of Elders voted on September 10th, 2022 to convict Richard Currie on more than 27 IMPEACHMENT charges along with a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE which automatically deposed him from his position as Chief of Accompong town. The dossier contain charges with high crimes and misdemeanors, including breaking and entering, inciting violence resulting in physical body harm, murder investigation, illegal possession of firearms, kidnapping, death threats to various individuals, intimidation, harbouring criminals in Accompong Town, malicious propaganda, deceptive advertising, promoting nefarious persons into Maroon administration, fraudulent intent with precious stone, destruction of private properties, impersonation of royal Title, financial scam, criminal intent to defraud Maroon citizens, etc. 

It continued: “Never in the history of the Accompong Maroon Nation has there ever been such an overwhelming majority in any Maroon Council, the general Maroon Council was decisive and swift in its action on kicking out Mr. Richard Currie from the position of the Colonel’s chair. Many concerned citizens are already aware that the deposed and humiliated Richard Currie will not disappeared quietly into the night without a fight, citizens are bracing themselves knowing that Richard Currie will try to fight the Maroon Council of Elders, the fact is, the Accompong Town Maroon Council is the supreme law of the land, not the Chief. The sheer number of members on the Council is remarkable unbelievable, for the first time in Accompong Town Maroon history has there been such a large Council, there is even a grand council within the general council, plus there is also a security council. The Grand council members are in no rush to take up office right away, they are willing to give Richard Currie a few days to vent, run to different media houses for public support and try to fight very hard with the Accompong Town Maroon Council of Elders, one Grand Council member said he doesn’t expect Richard to go without a fight, he understands and he feels sorry for Mr. Currie but all Mr. Currie has done is destroy the great heritage and culture while bringing shame and disgrace to our community, all he does is braid his hair and go on all the social media and news platforms, he has brought not one single development to Accompong.“

The Council of Elders stated that more than 90 per cent of Accompong Maroon citizens voiced their opinions that “never in the existence of Accompong town have they ever experienced such anarchy in their community, all because of this new Chief”.

In addition, the Council claimed one Maroon citizen “cried with joy, bending on her knees praying to the sky thanking God for getting rid of the most embarrassing experience and situation they have ever seen or endured in their community”. 

According to the Council, its chairman asked for the Jamaican public to pray for Accompong and its citizens, “for in times like now they need prayers”.

Since his election as colonel of the Accompong Maroons in February 2021, Currie has engaged in numerous controversial disagreements or standoffs with the Government and police as well as some among his own Maroon people.

Included in the many issues which have impacted the relationship between the Maroons and the Andrew Holness Administration in particular, is Currie’s ongoing claim that Accompong is a sovereign state within Jamaica, not beholden to the laws of the wider nation.