The United Arab Emirates has become the focus of a political dispute in Seychelles. This dispute started after conflicting claims over importations linked to State House prompted an independent public audit.
The row began during a live press conference on 7 May. At this press conference, President Patrick Herminie alleged that companies linked to State House had imported large quantities of food and other goods.
“State House has three companies. One company imported tonnes of food,” Mr Herminie said.
He claimed the imports included “800kg of rice” and “about 800 thousand yoghurt for State House”.
“Goat meat, mutton, you name it, you would think State House was a supermarket,” he added.
Days later, on 10 May, a newspaper aligned with Mr Herminie published details from leaked importation documents.
The documents listed consumable goods including frozen poultry carcasses, boneless sheep meat, frozen bovine meat, processed cheese, milk powder, butter and chicken products.
Non-perishable items included vehicles, air-conditioning machines, marble, paints and varnishes, plastic household articles, vehicle spare parts, filtering machinery and wooden packaging materials.
One of the leaked documents also reportedly listed a Seychelles postal box number. This number was linked to a UAE presidential affairs entity based in Seychelles.
Former President Wavel Ramkalawan later rejected claims that the imports were intended for State House.
“These items he spoke on, yoghurt, meat etc… is not for State House. This is for the UAE,” Mr Ramkalawan said on 11 May.
Following the exchange, the Office of the President announced an independent audit into all importations. Specifically, it will cover importations facilitated through State House structures between 2021 and 2025.
In a statement, the office said the audit would examine “all relevant documentation, importation records, customs clearances, operational procedures, transactions, and associated processes”.
The Office of the President said Mr Ramkalawan’s statement had “raised further questions than it has answered”. In addition, it introduced “additional contradictions” requiring clarification and verification.
The Office of the President said the audit would be conducted with “professional expertise, impartiality, and institutional rigour”.
The findings and recommendations will be made public once the review is completed.
“The people of Seychelles deserve clarity, truth, and confidence that the institutions of the Republic are always used in the national interest,” The Office of the President said.