New AG Vincent Perera Steps Up: Will He Be Seychelles’ Legal Game-Changer?

This week, State House witnessed the swearing-in of Vincent Perera as Seychelles’ new Attorney General. Now, the big question is: Will Perera shake things up or follow the well-trodden path of his predecessors?

With confidence and bold promises, Perera said, “Together with my team, I pledge to uphold the rule of law in this beautiful country.” But can he really? Seychelles’ legal world is no easy arena, and Perera has some lofty goals to tackle. He hinted at a fresh approach, backed by his international experience, aiming to boost the skill sets of local prosecutors. His goal? To make sure they stay one step ahead of the criminals. As he put it, “Guilt shall not escape, nor innocent suffer.” Powerful words – but time will tell if they can be turned into action.

Perera’s background is impressive, with legal credentials spanning Sri Lanka, Fiji, and Singapore. He’s no stranger to complex cases and international agreements, and he certainly knows his way around the courtroom. Yet, despite his prestigious résumé, it’s his ability to deal with the day-to-day grind that everyone’s watching. One of his priorities? Tackling the infamous case backlogs in Seychelles’ courts. He’s vowed to look at the stats and figure out a plan, but many are curious if he’ll deliver on this ambitious task.

With a four-year term ahead of him, Perera replaces Frank Ally, who’s been at the helm since 2017. Ally leaves behind a mixed legacy, and all eyes are now on Perera to see if he can bring the much-needed reforms the legal system craves. Will he be the AG that Seychelles needs, or just another in the lineup of hopefuls? Only time will tell, but it looks like the country’s legal scene is in for some interesting developments.