St Lucia PM Slams Removal of Caribbean Development Bank President

St Lucia's Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre has strongly criticized the removal of Dr. Hyginus "Gene" Leon as president of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), calling the move unfair and a result of a "conspiracy." Dr. Leon, a native of St Lucia, tendered his resignation earlier this month after being placed on administrative leave in January.

Why this matters: The controversy surrounding Dr. Leon's removal highlights concerns about fairness, transparency, and accountability within international financial institutions, which can have far-reaching implications for the region's economic development. It also underscores the importance of retaining Caribbean expertise and promoting regional representation in these institutions.

In a statement on May 8, 2024, Prime Minister Pierre expressed his government's full backing of Dr. Leon. "I want to put on record St. Lucia's full support for Dr. Leon and to express our disappointment and dismay at the manner in which he was treated," Pierre declared. He argued that Dr. Leon's expertise should be retained and that the circumstances leading to his resignation were regrettable.

The prime minister further denounced the removal process, asserting that it was wrong and that St Lucians should not face unfair treatment based on foreign conditions or circumstances. "We must stop treating our people like that based on conditions or based on circumstances that are foreign to us, Mr Speaker... This is wrong," Pierre stressed.

According to Prime Minister Pierre, Dr. Leon was removed from his position by three people on a whistleblower accusation, without informing the CDB's board of governors. The investigation into the president was conducted by a foreign firm, and foreign attorneys were involved. While not naming the three countries behind the removal, Pierre clarified that St Lucia was not one of them.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves also voiced support for Dr. Leon, noting that unsuccessful attempts had been made to impugn his character and that the bank's actions were misguided. Lawyers representing Dr. Leon had given the CDB until May 4 to negotiate an amicable separation, threatening legal action if necessary.

The Caribbean Development Bank, headquartered in Barbados, now faces scrutiny over its handling of Dr. Leon's removal. As regional leaders rally behind the ousted president, questions arise about the fairness and transparency of the bank's decision-making processes. The controversy underscores the importance of retaining Caribbean expertise and ensuring equitable treatment for all member states within international financial institutions.