AUC congratulates Seychelles president-elect Patrick Herminie

The African Union has congratulated Patrick Herminie on his election as Seychelles' president, reaffirming the AU's readiness to work with the new administration and to advance the goals of Agenda 2063.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also commended the people of Seychelles for their "peaceful and orderly participation" in what he described as a "credible democratic process".

In a statement released on Sunday, Youssouf said the election demonstrated Seychelles' strong commitment to the rule of law and democratic principles. He also applauded the outgoing president and other presidential candidates for respecting the process and upholding the spirit of peaceful political competition.

Official results from the electoral commission showed that Herminie, leader of the United Seychelles party, secured 52.7 percent of the votes, defeating incumbent leader Wavel Ramkalawan, who garnered 47.3 percent.

Voting in Seychelles went into a second round after neither candidate won an outright majority in the first ballot two weeks earlier.

"We are turning a new page for all Seychellois," Herminie said in his victory speech. "I will be the president of all Seychellois, ending divisions and ensuring fairness and opportunity for everyone."