President Faure will not stand as Parti Lepep head |27 May 2017

President Danny Faure has turned down his party’s nomination for the post of president of Parti Lepep during the June 3 congress, after James Michel said earlier this year that he will step down.

Mr Faure became President of the Republic of Seychelles on October 16, 2016 after Mr Michel stepped down as president less than one year into his third five-year mandate.

Mr Faure made the declaration during last night’s 8pm Creole news bulletin on Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) TV.

The president’s address reads:

“Compatriots, Seychellois brothers and sisters, good evening.

“On October 16, 2016, I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles, and I made a commitment to work for Seychelles and for all Seychellois.

“Since then, I have been working with people across all sectors of society. I established a direct dialogue with the opposition party. Through the leaders’ forum, I regularly meet the speaker, the leader of opposition, and leader of government business in the National Assembly.

“I created a regular consultative framework with the civil society, representatives of different faiths (Sifco), and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Every Tuesday afternoon, I meet with our citizens, and on Fridays, I visit the districts whenever possible. Every three months, I hold a live press conference with the media that fosters an environment of openness and accessibility to information.

“In government, I am implementing policies and programmes that are more inclusive and bring people together. This approach is challenging, but I am convinced that this method of working together for Seychelles is the best approach to benefit our people and our country.

“In the way we are doing our work, and in the way we are providing services, I have always insisted on the importance of separating politics, particularly partisan politics. Our citizens deserve it – because though the people who put us here have different backgrounds, different stories, and different beliefs, the anxieties they face are the same, the aspirations they hold are shared. It is important that we treat all our citizens with dignity, respect, and compassion.

“On Saturday June 3, 2017, Parti Lepep will have its congress to elect its party president and a new central committee. I thank my party for nominating me for party president and sincerely express my gratitude for their consistent support and loyalty.

“Times have changed, and we live in a new era. We need to ensure that this generation sees the presidency as a symbol of our evolving democracy.

“As the President of the Republic, I have decided that the moment has come to depart from the tradition of the last 24 years. I have taken the decision not to stand in the next election for the post of party president.

“This means that as the President of the Republic, I will not be at the head of a political party. I am solely responsible for this decision that I took in the interest of Seychelles. I remain loyal to the principles that I believe in. When I took the presidential oath, I promised to be faithful to the Republic of Seychelles, to uphold the Constitution and the Laws of Seychelles, and to dedicate my abilities to the service and welfare of the people of Seychelles.

“As Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, I will continue my work for Seychelles and for all Seychellois without exception. Today I renew my commitment to serve the people of Seychelles. Seychelles is bigger than us all. It will always be bigger than us all.

“Thank you, and good evening.”