President Herminie Urges Humility and Discipline as New Cabinet Takes Oath
VICTORIA, Seychelles — President Dr Patrick Herminie on Friday called on his newly sworn-in ministers to lead with humility, discipline, and service to the people, as the country’s executive branch was officially installed in a ceremony at State House. The 14 ministers, confirmed by the National Assembly on November 5, took the oath of office in the presence of the President, Vice-President Sebastien Pillay, Speaker of the National Assembly Azarel Ernesta, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Rony Govinden.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Herminie told the ministers that the oath is a binding commitment, not a formality. ‘You are not here for yourselves, you are here for the people,’ the President said, urging each minister to remain grounded and accessible. He also noted that being chosen to serve is both a privilege and a duty, and that the public will judge the new Cabinet by its actions and its results.
The President also acknowledged that while the new Cabinet is composed of experienced individuals, not all the portfolios are as yet fully defined. He confirmed that his administration will continue to engage with the National Assembly and the public in the coming weeks to finalise portfolios and policy priorities. Vice-President Sebastien Pillay will take on responsibilities that cut across several ministries, working in close collaboration with the President and the Cabinet.
To conclude, President Herminie circled back to his campaign message of ‘A Few Good Men and Women,’ a theme that has guided his team’s approach to governance. He acknowledged that although not all the challenges facing the country can be solved at once, the new Cabinet is determined to do its best, starting with the most pressing issues: the cost of living, security, education, and the environment. The swearing-in ceremony marked the formal beginning of the Herminie administration’s work in office.
