The President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan witnessed the swearing-in of nine persons with Swiss, Kenyan, Irish, British, Malagasy, Thai, Italian, Ghanaian, and German nationalities who met all criteria and are eligible for Seychellois citizenship. The special event took place this morning at the Seychelles National Museums in Victoria.

The ceremony, which is the first of its kind, is one whereby the new citizens took their Oath of Allegiance in public. This follows the Cabinet decision taken last year concerning the amendments of the Citizenship Act 2013 (Cap 30), to increase transparency to the citizenship status of those that have satisfied the criteria established and have opted to start a new life as a citizen of Seychelles.

In his remarks, President Ramkalawan expressed his satisfaction with the way that this procedure for the request of citizenship for either naturalization or registration has been undertaken with all transparency and accountability.

During the ceremony, the citizenship certificates were handed out as well as Seychelles flags. It was also marked by the reading of the Preamble of the Constitution of Seychelles.

Following the ceremony today, details of the persons (including photographs) of those who have conferred with citizenship status, will be published in the Gazette and local newspapers within a specific timeframe.

Also present to witness the ceremony, was the Attorney General, Mr. Frank Ally, PS for Immigration & Civil Status and Chairman of Citizenship and Eligibility Committee, Mr. Alain Volcere, Chief Immigration Officer of Immigration & Civil Status, Mrs. Erica Dufresnne, Principal Immigration Officer of Immigration & Civil Status, Mr. Mervin Elizabeth, members of the Citizenship and Eligibility Committee, the Arch Deacon Father Danny Elizabeth and Ms. Laura Ah-time, among other invited guests.