Neville Cenac announced as St Lucia Governor-General

The prime minister of St Lucia has announced that Emmanuel Neville Cenac has been appointed Governor-General of St Lucia.

Allen Chastanent said that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was pleased to approve the decision.

Cenac was previously the member of parliament for Laborie and served as St Lucia’s minister for foreign affairs. He has also held the role of President of the Senate.

The newly designated Governor-General will take his oath of office on 12 January – although the prime minister’s office has moved to make clear that his appointment is effective from 1 January.

This ensures no overlap following the retirement of former Governer-General Dame Pearlette Louisy, who stepped down on 31 December. [caption id="attachment_9319" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Dame Pearlette Louisy.[/caption] A lack of announcement over who would feel the role led to some concern on St Lucia, with the leader of the opposition St Lucia Labour Party accusing the prime minister of leader the country into a “constitutional crisis”.

Louisy remains ‘an icon’

Cenec, who was described in a statement from the prime minister’s office as “an elder statesman highly respected in the legal fraternity”, retired from active polices in 2006.

He has since written extensively on the constitution of St Lucia, and is known for being involved in the Windward Island unity movement.

His appointment comes in what is the first public comment from the prime minister about the resignation of Louisy.

[caption id="attachment_4626" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Allen Chastanet.[/caption]

She had been in the role since September 1997, and was the first female to the hold the position.

She did not give a reason for her decision to step down, but several sources have said she clashes with the prime minister.

Chastanet has now thanked Louisy for her years of service, describing her as “an icon in our country.”

“She is also one of our country’s leading educators having served at varying levels in the noble profession of teaching. I know that Dame Pearlette will continue to make a contribution to the development of our country.”

“We will always love Dame Pearlette Louisy,” he added.

“She has served this country exceptionally and on behalf of the People of St Lucia and the government I say an immense thank you to her excellency Dame Pearlette for her grace and her counsel.”