President Patrick Herminie said the judiciary no longer commands the trust of the people of Seychelles during a live press conference on Thursday.
Speaking during the nearly two-hour event, President Herminie said his administration would seek changes within the judicial system.
“The judiciary, unfortunately today, does not command trust with the people of Seychelles,” he said. “As the head of state, I will make it my duty to make important change in the judiciary.”
The president also referred to the expected resignation of the President of the Court of Appeal. He said changes would be needed to ensure the judiciary functions independently and serves the public effectively.
“This judiciary will need to behave like a real judiciary, where the last place that the people of Seychelles goes to to get a solution,” he said.
President Herminie also raised questions about the country’s final court of appeal. He said proposals under discussion include whether Seychelles should remain linked to the Privy Council in England or instead join the African Court.
“All of these things are being proposed because people no longer believe in neither its Supreme Court nor its Court of Appeal,” he said.
The president further referred to the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into arms-related matters. He claimed the commission’s report would reveal what he described as “crooked laws” within the judicial system.
“In fact, I will say we do not have a criminal justice system,” he said. “It’s a guy sitting at the head and gives orders on what to do. And it is sad for Seychelles.”
Seychelles operates under three branches of governance: the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.