Seychelles President of the Republic of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan has been unseated after losing his re-election bid to Patrick Herminie in the runoff election. According to official results, Herminie secured 52.7% of the votes, while Ramkalawan garnered 47.3%.
The presidential election, held on September 27, 2025, saw a high voter turnout of 86.73%. Ramkalawan, who has served one term in office, conceded defeat, marking another instance of an incumbent president losing their re-election bid in Africa.
Herminie, the leader of the United Seychelles party, campaigned on promises to revert the retirement age to 63, reduce bus fares by 40%, and increase social security benefits. His victory is seen as a significant shift in Seychelles’ political landscape.
The election was closely contested, with Ramkalawan’s Linyon Demokratik Seselwa party and Herminie’s United Seychelles party presenting different visions for the country’s future. Herminie’s win is expected to bring about changes in the country’s policies and governance.
The opposition party’s victory comes after a campaign period marked by debates on key issues, including environmental concerns and economic development. The result adds to the growing trend of one-term presidents in Africa, sparking discussions about the changing nature of political leadership on the continent ¹.