Africa-Press – Seychelles. Constitution Day, also known as National Day, is observed annually on June 18 to commemorate the 1993 referendum that established Seychelles as a multi-party democracy. Seychelles has a lengthy history of conflict, and as a result, its people value their independence after a long fight. The French colonised the Seychelles in the 1700s, but Britain overthrew the French in the 1800s and turned the Seychelles into a prison colony during the colonial era. Constitution Day in Seychelles is celebrated with a parade in Stade Linite, attended by the president and other high-ranking government officials.
HISTORY OF SEYCHELLES CONSTITUTION DAY
In the 16th century, Vasco da Gama visited the Seychelles and dubbed them “the Admiral Islands.” The French colonised it shortly thereafter in the 1700s, and the British seized control of it in 1811. Seychelles became a British Crown Colony in 1903. During colonial times, it functioned as a penal colony.
The Seychelles achieved independence on June 29, 1975, but a coup d’etat soon followed. Following the coup d’état, France-Albert Rene overthrew the first president, James Mancham was elected president, and the country became a one-party state. President Rene never referred to himself as a communist; he was a socialist of the Indian Ocean. Nonetheless, his government allied with the Soviet Union. Rene was an extraordinary leader who maintained power despite numerous coup attempts. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the threat of international isolation, Rene proclaimed a return to a multiparty system of government, but he remained president until he resigned in 2004.
On June 18, 1993, a referendum to modify the constitution for multi-party democracy was approved by 73.9% of the electorate. Constitution Day was Seychelles’ national holiday until 2015, when it was superseded by Independence Day on June 29.
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5 FACTS ABOUT SEYCHELLES
The biggest grain
Native to the islands is Coco de Mer, the plant with the largest seedlings on earth.
It once served as a pirate refuge.
Particularly ‘Anse Forbans’ and ‘Cote d’Or’ were used as pirate hideouts.
It is home to endemic species.
At one time, it was believed that endemic species, such as the bare-legged Scops owl, were extinct.
The breadfruit is renowned
In Seychelles, breadfruit is a popular delicacy, and it is believed that those who consume it will return to the islands in the future.
Ian Fleming travelled to Seychelles.
In 1958, Ian Fleming visited the islands for inspiration for his short story collection “For Your Eyes Only.”
SEYCHELLES CONSTITUTION DAY DATES
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