VICTORIA, Seychelles — Speaker of the National Assembly Roger Mancienne has expressed concern about a lack of respect shown to him and to the institution of the National Assembly by members of the opposition during parliamentary sessions, describing some of the recent protests as undermining the dignity and proper functioning of the institution, and turning the Assembly into a farce. He made the declaration yesterday morning ahead of the debate on the State-of-the-Nation Address delivered by President Wavel Ramkalawan on Thursday 27 February 2025.
He was referring to the incident where the new United Seychelles member, Honourable Louisette Tamboo, failed to hand in a written apology as she had been ordered to do. He was also referring to United Seychelles members who walked out of the chamber three times, including during the opening address. In the case of Hon. Tamboo, it was after she was sent out of the chamber, on Tuesday, where, according to Speaker Mancienne, she had spoken rudely to him in his capacity as speaker. He noted that he made allowances because Hon. Tamboo is new to the Assembly, but the incident cannot be ignored.
Speaker Mancienne, citing the Assembly’s Standing Orders, said although he foresees that members may leave the chamber in protest, he felt that these cases were abusing the privilege to protest as he saw clearly that in certain cases there was no real reason to protest. ‘I believe these situations are making the Assembly a farce. I need to do what I can to make sure there is order and that the Assembly can function to deliver its mandate,’ the Speaker said. He ordered Hon. Tamboo’s pay to be cut by R1,000 for each session she is absent.
