United Seychelles holds 34th congress Party leader Herminie calls on members to remain a united front |08 November 2021
Members of the National Executive Committee (Photo: Jude Morel)
Opposition party, United Seychelles, came all out in red on Saturday afternoon for their first full congress since the 2020 elections in which they conceded defeat in both the legislative and presidential elections.
The 34th annual United Seychelles (US) congress held at the International Conference Centre (ICCS) was an opportunity for the party to present its supporters with the members on its national executive committee (NEC), its plans for the next four years and its goal to win the 2025 elections.
According to the party’s constitution, US is mandated to organise at least one congress each year but the event was postponed in June due to Covid-19 although the party was able to carry out the more formal part of its 34th Congress in August whereby it voted on amendments to its constitution and approval of resolutions.
Members of the NEC include party leader Patrick Herminie, deputy leader and member in charge for Anse Royale Jacquelin Dugasse, secretary general Dick Esparon and treasurer Josie Chetty.
Four members of the National Assembly also feature on the NEC and these are leader of the opposition Sebastien Pillay, Sylvanne Lemiel, Egbert Aglaé and Audrey Vidot.
US supporters, both in the auditorium and following the live-streamed event, were presented with the NEC members for their respective districts.
The event started with speeches by representative of senior citizens who support US, representatives for the youth forum and representative for the professionals’ forum.
They spoke of the achievements of the past 40 years and efforts undertaken so that every Seychellois could benefit from universal health and education, and become doctors, engineers, writers, nurses and more.
They additionally criticised the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) government for decisions which US believes are not in the interest of the Seychellois people.
Going back to their roots ‒ to the founding principles of justice and equality ‒ and ‘making Seychelles proud again’ was among the resounding messages of the day.
As for party leader Herminie, he called for all US activists to go back to pounding the pavements and campaigning hard for the party face to face, to whomever they meet, instead of warring with WhatsApp and Facebook warriors.
He stressed that US supporters should not stand divided like in previous years but remain a united front.
Dr Herminie added that there was no room for ‘Reneist’ ‘Michellist’ or ‘Faurist’ ‒ referring to supporters who backed the ideas and principles of the three former presidents, creating a division within the party which he believes partly led to the elections defeat.
“I am persuaded that we lost the elections because there were too much confusion within the party; too many people going in different directions. But our party is based on principles and not an individual […] LDS did not win the elections rather it was ours to lose,” stated Dr Herminie.
The 34th congress also saw various musical performances by artists such as Ruben, Joseph Sinon and Magnificent.
Elsie Pointe
