(Posted 28th June 2026)
Seychelles celebrates 50th Anniversary of its Independence from Great Britain – 29th of June 2026
On the 29th of June 1976 Seychelles gained its independence from Great Britain.
Seychelles officially became a sovereign republic after 165 years of British rule with
the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) of James Richard Mancham and the
Seychelles People’s United Party (SPUP) of France Albert René in a coalition
government.
James R. Mancham became the Republic's first President, with France Albert René
serving as its Prime Minister.
As part of the independence agreement, the United Kingdom returned the Aldabra
Islands, Farquhar Islands, and Desroches Island back to Seychelles, having
previously detached them to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The
official independence ceremonies were held in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles
with Queen Elizabeth II represented by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Dr Patrick Herminie, the sitting President of the Republic of Seychelles will lead the
celebrations of the 50th anniversary of its independence from Great Britain on June
29.th
History
The decision for Seychelles to become an independent nation in June 1976 was
finalised in January 1976, when a third Constitutional Conference was held at
Marlborough House in London and attended by the British Governor of Seychelles,
Collin Hamilton Allen, James R. Mancham, France Albert René and a delegation of
the Legislative Assembly of the islands.
The evolution of the political landscape in Seychelles before independence was
rather proved difficult generally seen as cordial enough. Seychelles as a British
colony had as its population mix a large majority of French landowners and that
created a divergence of ideas from both the era when the islands were a French
Department and from the British Colonial power.
It was in November 1903 that Seychelles became a crown colony with its own
Governor, Executive, and Legislative Councils but with limited political
participation from the population. In 1939 the Seychelles Taxpayers and Planters
Association (categorised by the British Government as the first political party)
was advocating for a degree of autonomy for the islands focusing the Governor's
attention all matters relating to the colony's taxpayers who were the economic
pillar of the islands.
The Seychelles Taxpayers and Planters Association participated in the 1948 first
elections in the islands that was seen as a great step forward for the people of
Seychelles. The Association had four candidates standing at these first ever
elections for the Legislative Council, each to represent one region. Before that
era members of the Legislative Assembly were appointed by the British
Governor.
It these 1948 elections Jean Baptiste Beauclec Benoiton won the North Mahe
District, Alexandre Deltel won the South Mahe District, Marcel Lemarchand won
the Central District and Gustave de Commarmond won the Praslin District.
The early 60s is described as the political awakening in Seychelles. In 1963, the
first political party was created.
On April 9, 1963, the first political party, the Seychelles Islanders United Party
(SIUP), was formed by Rifned Jumeau. The main aim was ‘to deal with the welfare
of and take democratic action for a higher standard of living for the people of
Seychelles’.
The following year saw the creation of two other political parties: the Seychelles
People’s United Party (SPUP) of France Albert René, which called for
Independence from Great Britain, and the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) of
James R. Mancham, which wanted integration with Great Britain. The rivalry
between these two parties dominated the political arena of Seychelles during
the 1960s and 1970s until independence.
Constitutional reforms of 1967 saw the first general elections, which took place
that same year with the introduction of universal adult suffrage. The reform also
included the creation of a majority of elected members in the legislature from
five elective seats to eight, the division of the population into eight electoral
areas and the establishment of a single Governing Council which performed
both Legislative and Executive functions.
These elections saw the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) of James Mancham
win 4 electoral seats, the Seychelles People’s United Party (SPUP) of France
Albert Rene win 3 electoral seats and Dr Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme as an
Independent Candidate with the remaining electoral seat. The following
candidates were duly elected James R. Mancham (SDP) for Victoria North,
Michael James Green (SPUP) for Victoria South, Dr. Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme
(Independent Candidate) for North Mahe, Paul Pillay (SDP) for South Mahe,
Chamery Chetty (SDP) for West Mahe, France Albert Rene (SPUP) for East Mahe,
David Joubert (SDP) for Praslin & Karl St.Ange (SPUP) for La Digue and the
Outlying Islands.
In 1968, the issue of the Seychelles independence was raised in the House of
Commons in London, and the following year, Lord Shepherd, who was the
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, arrived in Seychelles to
have discussions with France Albert Rene, leader of SPUP and James Mancham,
leader of SDP. From then on, there was no doubt that the colony would soon
achieve its Independence.
On March 9, 1970, the first Constitutional Conference was held at Marlborough
House in London to formulate a new constitution, which provided for an 18-
member Legislative Assembly and an Advisory Council of Ministers. In the
elections which followed, SDP won 10 seats, SPUP won 5 seats, and James
Mancham was appointed the first Chief Minister of Seychelles.
From March 14 to 24, 1975, a second Constitutional Conference was held in
London at Marlborough House. In June 1975, SPUP and SDP formed a coalition
Government. In September that same year, Seychelles entered self-government,
and James Mancham became Prime Minister.
In January of 1976, a third Constitutional Conference was held. It was attended
by the then Governor of Seychelles, Collin Hamilton Allen. In this last conference,
the decision was finalised for Seychelles to become an independent nation in
June that same year.
On June 29, 1976, Seychelles achieved its Independence and became a Republic.
James Mancham became President of Seychelles, and France Albert Rene
became Prime Minister. The population was then 60,504 inhabitants. Seychelles
achieved its independence after 165 years of British Rule (1811-1976).
As Seychelles celebrates its 50th Independence Anniversary on the 29th of June
2026 it is Dr Patrick Herminie, the island’s President who will be leading the
celebrations for this golden jubilee anniversary.
The ATCNews team extends warmest congratulations on this momentous occasion to H.E. The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr. Patrick Herminie and the people of the Seychelles.
