On the opening day of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the President of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Dr. Patrick Herminie, held a high-level bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa.
The meeting began with President Ramaphosa formally reiterating his congratulations to President Herminie on his electoral victory in late 2025. He commended the peaceful transition of power and the strength of the democratic process in Seychelles.
As leaders of their respective parties – the African National Congress (ANC) and United Seychelles (US) – the two Heads of State explored several key areas of strategic importance:
* Political Synergy: Both leaders committed to revitalizing the historic relationship between the ANC and US, emphasizing shared values of social justice and regional stability.
* Economic and Trade Ties: President Ramaphosa expressed a keen interest in the Seychelles’ recent economic performance. Both leaders agreed to establish a framework to enhance trade relations and identify new investment opportunities between the two nations.
* Sustainability and Climate Action: In the spirit of the ADSW, they discussed the urgent need for African-led sustainability initiatives and shared strategies for addressing their development challenges.
A central theme of the talks was the role of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). President Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the current Chair of SADC, emphasized the importance of regional solidarity.
Both leaders looked forward to the upcoming SADC Summit, where President Herminie is scheduled to deliver his maiden address to the regional body. President Ramaphosa noted that Seychelles’ voice remains vital in maritime security and the Blue Economy within the SADC framework.
To further solidify this partnership, President Herminie extended a formal invitation to President Ramaphosa to undertake an official visit to Seychelles. The invitation was accepted in principle, with dates to be finalized through diplomatic channels.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to peace, stability, and shared prosperity across the African continent and the Indian Ocean region.
The Presidents were supported in their deliberations by Minister Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Ambassador Barry Faure, Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora.