VICTORIA, Seychelles — Newly inaugurated President Dr Patrick Herminie used his first official address at the Stad Linite on Sunday to call on all Seychellois to share in building a new chapter for the country, dedicating his victory to the late Christa Herminie, his mother. The ceremony was marked by the 21-gun salute, the raising of the national flag, and a blessing from Anglican Bishop Danny Elizabeth, Catholic Bishop Alain Harrel, and Father David Alcindor.
President Herminie, who secured 34,389 votes (52.7 percent) in the presidential runoff against incumbent Wavel Ramkalawan of Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (47.3 percent), said his government will be one of the people, by the people, and for the people, in line with his party’s manifesto, ‘For the many, not the few’. He noted that the manifesto is a vision rooted in equal opportunity, social justice, the eradication of poverty, respect for human dignity, and the rule of law.
He emphasised that while Seychelles extends an open hand of friendship, solidarity, and mutual respect, the country also seeks partnerships that grow through fair trade, commerce, investment, and knowledge exchange that benefit all sides. ‘We remain true to our mantra: friends to all, enemies to none. Whatever international engagements we pursue, it must serve the interests of Seychelles. We will defend our sovereignty, and we will do whatever it takes to assert our sovereignty over the whole of Seychelles,’ he said.
Addressing the country’s youth, the President urged them to position themselves in a future of science, technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence, while building skills, jobs, entrepreneurship, sport, culture, and civic leadership. He dedicated his victory to his late mother — a woman born in deep poverty, who could neither read nor write, but who, with his father, fought so her children would have a better place to grow up. The inaugural ceremony ended with a medley of patriotic songs, a fireworks display, and a night fair in the compound of the Stad Linite.
