Showcasing transparent approach, Seychelles' president displays official gifts of first year in office

Entitled ‘Gifts of State’ the exhibition which opened on Monday, showcased gifts donated to President Faure by other dignitaries during the course of his one-year presidency. (Jude Morel)

(Seychelles News Agency) - The President of Seychelles marked his first year in office on Monday with the opening of an exhibition showcasing the gifts he received on behalf of the people of the island nation since he became the leader of the archipelago last year.

Danny Faure was sworn in to office on Sunday, October 16, 2016 to become the Seychelles’ fourth president since the island nation gained independence from Britain. He succeeded outgoing President James Michel, who resigned. 

President Danny Faure taking the Oath of Allegiance and Presidential Oath at State House on October 16, 2016. (Rassin Vannier, Seychelles News Agency)

Entitled ‘Gifts of State’ the exhibition which opened on Monday, showcased gifts donated to Faure by other heads of state, ambassadors and other foreign and local dignitaries during the course of the first year of his presidency. These range from clothes, precious artifacts, and pictures taken by the locals.

At the launching ceremony, the Secretary of State for Cabinet Affairs, Mohammed Afif, said that this event is historical as it is the first time that an exhibition of official gifts to the President has been organised.

“This exhibition is symbolic of transparency in action, letting everyone know what the President has received as gifts on their behalf,” said Afif, adding that transparency is something that the President is always advocating for.

The gifts range from clothes, precious artifacts, and pictures taken by the locals. (Jude Morel, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

“He has introduced legislation to build these values into the institutions of State, and he has continued to create the mechanisms and structures that will strengthen these governance values, and build capacity to better serve the people of Seychelles,” added Afif.

The Secretary of State said that since Faure assumed power, the government has introduced over 50 items of legislation.

An invitee at the ceremony, Jean Toussaint, said that this exhibition is a good initiative and it shows how the president is using a new approach to doing things. 

“In this new political climate, we need to do things differently with our thoughts on transparency. Through this exhibition, the president is doing just that by showing what he has gained. This is a good start,” Toussaint said.

The exhibition curated by Emmanuel D'Offay, Special Advisor to the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture is open to the public until October 31.