Former vice president Ahmed Afif appeared briefly before the Assomption Commission of Inquiry on Monday 16 March 2026. However, he did not give testimony after asking to speak in Creole instead of English.
Mr Afif made the request shortly after taking the oath for his sworn testimony. He said he preferred to testify in Creole.
The sole commissioner, Judge Mathilda Twomey, said the commission could not provide interpretation services at short notice.
“We are not able to secure an interpreter. Our means do not permit us, and my secretary is not fluent in Creole and just the two of us are doing the investigation,” she said.
She also said the commission uses a transcription service through Microsoft Teams which recognises English but not Creole.
Commissioner Twomey added that Seychelles recognises three national languages. However, she said the commission uses English as the legal language of the proceedings. She urged Mr Afif to give his testimony in English.
Mr Afif declined and repeated that he wanted to speak in Creole.
“My preference is to speak in Creole because I recognise the importance of the work of this commission and everyone in transparency understands what is being said,” he said. “I would like to exert my constitutional right to speak in Creole.”
Commissioner Twomey then presented two options. She said Mr Afif could give a deposition instead of public testimony. Alternatively, the commission could adjourn the matter until it secures an accredited translator.
Mr Afif said he preferred to reschedule the hearing and testify later with a translator present.
However, Judge Twomey said the commission may not call him back.
“We cannot at this stage tell you whether we will be calling you back. We don’t have to call you. We can do our work,” she said. “We have received several documents. We can draw inferences from these documents.”
Judge Twomey also said she viewed Mr Afif as not cooperating with the commission.
She again offered the two options. When Mr Afif said he preferred to reschedule the hearing, the request was dismissed and he was asked to leave.
It is not clear whether Mr Afif will be called again to testify before the Assomption Commission of Inquiry or whether any future testimony will be made public.
Procedures published in the Official Gazette on 23 December 2025 state that proceedings of a commission of inquiry may be conducted in English, French or Creole, which are the official languages of Seychelles.
The rules also state that the commission should provide interpretation services where necessary. This ensures witnesses can give evidence in their language of choice, parties can understand proceedings affecting them, and the commission can understand the evidence presented.