By The Seychelles Times Political Desk
At just 29 years old, Salim Christophe Wayne Mathieu has already carved out an influential role in Seychellois politics. As the Treasurer of the Seychelles United Movement (SUM) and a key architect of the party’s economic platform, he has emerged not only as a formidable strategist behind the scenes—but also as a future policymaker to watch.
Widely recognised as the youngest elected executive committee member of a political party in the country, Mathieu’s journey is not defined by ego or ambition—but by deep patriotism, technical competence, and an unwavering commitment to reform. He sat down with The Seychelles Times to talk about his work alongside SUM presidential candidate Maarco Francis, the urgent need for economic renewal, and why the next chapter of Seychellois politics belongs to a new generation.
Q: Salim, you’ve become one of the most talked-about young figures in Seychelles politics. How did your involvement with SUM and Maarco Francis begin?
Salim Mathieu:
Honestly, it started with frustration. Like many young Seychellois, I was disillusioned with how things were being run—decisions being made without consultation, wasteful spending, and no clear economic direction. But instead of complaining, I wanted to be part of the solution. When I met Mr. Francis, there was an immediate alignment of values. He’s a man of principle, vision, and results. I was inspired by that, and we began working together almost daily on designing policies and frameworks that could actually work. It’s been an honour to serve as his right hand.
Q: Many of those policies you’ve helped craft—especially around state corporation reform, free childcare, and digitalisation—are already being echoed by the current administration. How do you view that?
Salim Mathieu:
For me, it’s not about credit. It’s about outcomes. If ideas that were born on our whiteboards at SUM HQ are now being quietly adopted by those in power, that means we’re already influencing the country’s direction. That’s a good thing. But what’s missing is the full implementation. We have the plans, the technical know-how, and the political will. That’s what SUM offers. That’s why I believe the people will eventually choose us.
Q: You’re also poised to become the next Minister of Industry and Trade if SUM wins. How would you approach that role?
Salim Mathieu:
With discipline and urgency. Our economy has incredible potential, but it’s stuck in neutral. My vision is to unlock growth through targeted industrial zones, local manufacturing support, better SME financing mechanisms, and trade partnerships that actually benefit our people. I don’t want us to be forever dependent on imports or tourism alone. We can export, we can innovate, we can produce. My goal is to build systems that empower Seychellois entrepreneurs—not stifle them.
Q: You’re young—but already in a senior political role. Do you ever feel the pressure?
Salim Mathieu:
All the time. But I believe in earning your place, not demanding it. Age should never be a barrier to leadership—but neither should it be a shortcut. I’ve spent years quietly doing the work—studying policy, writing manifestos, balancing books, understanding law. I’ve never asked for attention. I just wanted to do my part. If the country now sees me as a representative of the next generation, then I take that responsibility seriously—and with humility.
Q: What do you think your generation brings to the table that the older political class does not?
Salim Mathieu:
We bring perspective. We grew up in the digital age, in a globalised world, with access to information. We understand what transparency looks like. We’ve seen other countries leap forward while we stagnated. My generation is less interested in titles and more interested in results. We’re not afraid to challenge outdated norms. We’re not here to play politics—we’re here to change the system.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s your message to the people of Seychelles?
Salim Mathieu:
My message is simple: don’t give up on hope. Change is possible. A better Seychelles is not a dream—it’s a decision. But we can’t achieve it by repeating the past. It will take courage to vote differently. It will take faith to believe in new leadership. But I promise, if you give us the chance, we will work tirelessly to build a country that listens, that delivers, and that belongs to all its citizens—not just a few.
Closing Thoughts
In Salim Mathieu, Seychelles sees the emergence of a new leadership class—unafraid of complexity, unburdened by old rivalries, and uncompromising in its commitment to reform. Whether as SUM Treasurer or a future Cabinet Minister, he stands as a compelling symbol of the change so many have long awaited. With quiet confidence and clear conviction, he is helping write the future—one policy at a time.
