WAELE AFRICA Foundation Wishes to congratulate the government and people of Seychelles on the occasion of her National Day and 43rd independence on 29th June. We wish your country and all its people happiness, continued success and prosperity.
The Republic of Seychelles is an archipelago nation located about 1600 kilometers from the mainland of Africa near the island of Madagascar. The country celebrates National Day on June 18 every year, likely due to the approved referendum for a new constitutional democracy on June 18, 1993.
History of National Day in the Seychelles
The French took control of the islands in 1756 and were named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, Louis XV’s Minister of Finance. The French enjoyed control of the islands until 1794 when the British began to contest ownership. This contestation continued until December 3, 1810, the day the British captured the island of Mauritius. Formalized by the Treaty of Paris in 1814, the British capitulated to respect the language and culture of the inhabitants of the islands.
Despite the capitulations, the British brought about rapid social and economic change to the islands including the abolition of slavery, with compensation going to the sugarcane plantation owners. The islands were used to hold prisoners, much like the French previously did. Yet conflicts arose during the late 19th and early 20th century, primarily between plantation owners and Indian laborers.
In 1964, political change began in full with the creation of the Seychelles People’s United Party, petitioning for independence from Britain, and the Seychelles Democratic Party, petitioning for closer ties to Britain. Following the election in 1974, the people of the islands negotiated for independence. On June 29, 1976, the Seychelles became an independent republic.
The success was short lived, however. A 1977 coup attempt deposed leadership and turned the country into a one-party state. Years of strife followed with successive attempts by others to depose or assassinate other leaders in the one-party system. It wasn’t until December 27, 1991 that the constitution was amended to allow for more political parties.
Over the next year and a half, work would be done by a committee to draft a new constitution for the Seychelles. On June 18, 1993, a referendum was successfully approved to install the new constitution, and soon after, the country’s first multi-party elections took place.
The Seychelles’ National Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
A parade is usually held in Stad Linite, and it features appearances by the president, vice-president, the police commissioner, and other high-profile figures. Cultural events promoting the togetherness of the people are common, and sometimes a helicopter with the national flag draped below will appear.
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