Seychelles President James Michel has announced a cabinet reshuffle and ministerial restructuring following the retirement of the Vice President Joseph Belmont at the end of June and the resignation of the Minister for Health and Social Development Marie-Pierre Lloyd.
The President has thanked his ministerial team for taking Seychelles through a landmark phase of its history in a spirit of unity and purpose. He has said that the new cabinet is constituted with the aim of further building on this sense of dynamism to take Seychelles to the next stage of its development.
โThe new team I am presenting to you today represents the continuation and reinforcement of the work we are doing to transform our country,” the President said.
In accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the President has submitted his nomination for the post of the new Vice president and his new cabinet to the national assembly for approval.
In the new organization of his cabinet, President Michel retains the portfolios of defense, legal affairs, and information and also takes on the responsibility for tourism as the Seychelles Tourism Board will be streamlined and restructured.
The President has nominated current Designated Minister Danny Faure as the new Vice President, effective July 1.
The new Vice President will maintain his existing portfolio of finance and trade. He will also be responsible for public administration and information communication technology.
Minister Vincent Meriton has been nominated as the new Designated Minister, effective July 1. Minister Meriton will hold the portfolios of community development, youth, and sports.
Minister Jacquelin Dugasse heads the ministry of land use and housing.
A new Ministry of Home Affairs is being created to respond better to issues of national security. The ministry will include portfolios for the police, prisons, and internal affairs and will coordinate efforts to defend against piracy. Minister Joel Morgan will be responsible for the ministry and he will also retain the portfolios of environment and transport.
Minister Bernard Shamlaye takes responsibility for the ministry of social development and culture.
Ms. Macsuzy Mondon is the new Minister for Education, Employment, and Human Resources.
The President has appointed Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, who was the Secretary of State in the Office of the President, as the new Minister for Foreign Affairs. The former Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Barry Faure, has been named the Secretary of State in the Office of the President.
The President is also creating a new ministry, the Ministry of Investment, Natural Resources, and Industry, which will be headed by Mr. Peter Sinon, who was recently an executive director of the African Development Bank.
Dr. Erna Athanasius is the new Minister for Health and Minister following the resignation of Minister Marie-Pierre Lloyd.
The new ministerial posts take effect as soon as they have been approved by the National Assembly.
The subsequent reorganization of departments and appointments of new CEOs will be announced after the ministers have taken up their posts.
The President expressed his confidence that the new team will continue to live the values that will strengthen our country:
โThis is a team that will continue to promote the values needed to take our country forward. We must continue to work hard to be more productive. We must always be at the service of our people. We must always be responsible, resilient, and realistic. We must always be ready to fix things where they are wrong and continue to embellish and improve on those that are right. We must always come together as a people and remain united.โ
The proposed cabinet:
President James Michel, Minister for Defense, Legal Affairs, Information, and Tourism
Vice President Danny Faure, Minister for Finance and Trade, Public Administration, and Information Communication Technology
Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, Minister for Community Development, Youth, and Sports
Minister Jacquelin Dugasse, Minister for Land Use and Housing
Minister Joel Morgan, Minister for Home Affairs (Immigration, Prisons, Police), Environment, and Transport
Minister Bernard Shamlaye, Minister for Social Development and Culture
Minister MacSuzy Mondon, Minister for Education, Employment and Human Resources
Minister Jean-Paul Adam, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister Peter Sinon, Minister for Investment, Natural Resources, and Industry
Minister Erna Athanasius, Minister for Health
PRESIDENT SALUTES WORK OF VP BELMONT AND MINISTER LLOYD
During his announcement of a new cabinet of ministers, President James Michel thanked Vice President Joseph Belmont, who is retiring after 40 years of service, and Minister Marie-Pierre Lloyd, who is leaving government, for their hard work and dedication to their country.
President Michel described Vice President Belmont as an honest man, a leader who is courageous and sincere towards his country.
โOn behalf of the people of Seychelles and on my own part, I express our appreciation for his contribution to the development of Seychelles. It is through the devotion and passion of people like Mr. Belmont that we have been able to get to where we are today. It is also through his spirit of determination and hard work that we as a people will continue this effort to bring our country even further forward, even higher,โ said President Michel.
President Michel also thanked Minister Marie-Pierre Lloyd for her contribution to the country.
โMinister Lloyd showed a great amount of compassion and determination in her role as minister. Her contribution has been greatly appreciated by our people. In recognition of her capacity as a pioneer in the social sector, as well as the Seychellesโ position as a world example of the emancipation of women, I will propose the nomination of Mrs. Lloyd as a Itinerant Ambassador for Women and Children.โ