VICTORIA, Seychelles — Three new proportionately-elected members took their oath of allegiance before Speaker Roger Mancienne at the reopening of the National Assembly yesterday, in the first sitting of parliament for the year. Cecile Larsen of United Seychelles, and Gerard Bijoux and Valdana Sultan of Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, formally entered the chamber.
Mrs Larsen replaces Rachel Spiro, while Mr Bijoux and Ms Sultan replace Flory Larue and Naddy Zialor respectively. Mr Bijoux, born on 30 May 1967, has served 37 years in meteorology with the Seychelles Meteorological Authority, most recently as Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in 2022, and holds a Diploma with Distinction in Meteorology from the Institute for Meteorological Training and Research in Nairobi, Kenya. Ms Sultan, born on 26 July 1975, spent 27 years as an educator with the Ministry of Education, receiving the District Administrator of the Year 2024 award for her tenure as district administrator for Grand Anse Mahé. Mrs Larsen, born on 1 September 1977, has held several accounting roles, most recently as head of the Finance Unit of The Guy Morel Institute, and has been politically active since age 14.
Speaker Mancienne welcomed the three new members, thanked the outgoing members for their service, but expressed disappointment at the US caucus for boycotting the opening session, noting that it was special for all members in showing the spirit of unity within the institution. Given that the country is in an election year, the Speaker called on members to exert unity in diversity for the benefit of the institution and the country. The first two trimesters will remain the same, with the first work trimester ending on 17 April 2025 and recess from 18 April to 13 May 2025.
