BELIZE CITY, Mon. Sept. 14, 2020– The end of an era was marked when the People’s United Party bid farewell to their stalwart representative and former leader, Hon. Said Musa. After 40-plus years in politics, Musa announced his retirement on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
Musa, who has represented the Fort George Division for ten terms, had only lost once during his entire tenure in the PUP.
Despite having intentions to seek re-election in the upcoming general elections, Hon. Said Musa had to alter his plans due to persistent health complications he has been battling since he suffered a minor stroke back in May. While signs of improvement in his condition have been promising, he has decided that he would not be able to run a campaign in his condition, and has retired from politics altogether.
Musa, who led the PUP to victory in 1998 and 2003, will be succeeded in the Fort George constituency by his son, Henry Charles Usher, while his other son, Hon. Kareem Musa, is seeking to secure a seat in the Caribbean Shores division for the PUP.
The former prime minister is also known to have played a role in the drafting of Belize’s Constitution and forged diplomatic relationships with the likes of Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, and representatives of the Taiwanese government.
Many parliamentarians and public figures in the country have expressed their sadness in seeing Musa retire, and have recollected the pleasures of working with him over the years.
Said Musa resigns at the age of 76, and is still presently recovering from the stroke he suffered in May.