Seychelles’ presidency |21 December 2015
James Michel sworn in for third term
Following his victory in the presidential election held here on Friday, President-elect James A. Michel was sworn into office for a third mandate in a ceremony at State House yesterday afternoon.
This is in line with Section 57 of the Constitution.
Mr Michel took the Oath of Allegiance and the Presidential Oath before the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Mathilda Twomey.
Vice-President elect Danny Faure was also sworn in and he took the Oath of Allegiance as well as the Oath of Office before President Michel.
The swearing-in ceremony of the two newly elected leaders took place in the presence of distinguished guests namely former President James Mancham, the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, the President of the Court of Appeal Francis McGregor, the deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius Ivan Collendavello, Jorge Cardoso director for SADC organ for politics defence and security, the secretary general of the Indian Ocean Commission Jean Claude de l’Estrac, head and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, local and foreign election observers, religious and political leaders as well as members of the National Assembly and majority party activists.
After he had taken his oaths and promised to dedicate this third and last mandate to intensifying his effort to continue to serve all the people of Seychelles, President Michel thanked the people of Seychelles who have supported him and continue to believe in him.
He noted that it is democracy that has triumphed through the great exercise where the people of Seychelles were called upon to choose a leader for the next five years.
“It was a victory for democracy, a victory for all the people who have renewed and put their trust in me for this third and last mandate and I salute the people for their bravery, courage and resilience for having been able to confront and overcome challenges in the most difficult moments, the people who believe in national unity and stability, a determined people,” President Michel told everyone present and all the people of Seychelles wherever they may be as the ceremony was being broadcast live on radio and television.
President Michel went on to say that for him the election results do not mean that our people is divided.
It is to be recalled that only a few hundred votes separated the two contesting candidates in the presidential election.
“We have always lived and worked together in spite of our diverse views and this will continue under my new administration,” President Michel stated.
He stressed that the results of the election also indicated the maturity of our people and our democracy, transparency, tolerance and respect for diverse political views.
President Michel once again reiterated that he will work for the wellbeing of all the people of Seychelles even though, he said, some decisions may have been the reason for loss of support.
“I remain determined to maintain order, to bring the people together, to work together, under one flag for continued progress and prosperity,” President Michel said.
President Michel admitted that the results of the election are somehow disappointing.
“We would have wished for more support. But we respect the decision of the people. It is the decision of the people which counts after all,” Mr Michel stressed, calling on the people not to let their disappointment, annoyance and bad feelings lead to a cycle of violence and instability and stressed that we will not tolerate violence but that everyone can express their differences of opinion in a pacific manner through existing democratic mechanisms.
He noted that anyone who has doubts on the election results can file a case and let justice take its course.
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President Michel highlights areas in need of urgent attention
President James Michel in his inauguration address after he was sworn into office for a third mandate in a ceremony at State House yesterday, has highlighted some areas which he said need urgent attention and on which he will focus during the first 100 days he will be in office.
These include addressing the drug situation in the country.
“We all recognise that the drug scourge is a major one affecting our society. It is more than high time we come together to find a solution for the problem and help for the victims without pointing figure, politicising the problem and blaming anyone,” Mr Michel said.
“Dealing with the drug problem including abuse and trafficking will be my first priority during the first 100 days I will be in office. But for this fight to be more effective we need to better coordinate and unify our effort and work with our regional neighbours. It is for this reason that I am proposing the setting up of a regional structure for intelligence, coordination and operation to fight drug trafficking at the Indian Ocean Commission level. It will be a fight similar to the one against piracy,” President Michel said.
Another priority will be service delivery. “Our people are tired of bureaucracy, poor quality, mediocre and sub-standard services. They are frustrated and bureaucracy encourages waste of resources, waste of time, poor productivity and laziness,” President Michel stated.
Mr Michel has called for an audit in all ministries as from today (Monday) and said the ministries have 100 days to do that. He also said effort will be intensified and certain measures will be strengthened to retain the services of young professionals.
Mr Michel also announced a series of measures with regard to increases in housing loans and better access to funds for construction of houses, support for young people through ‘My first job scheme’.