Seychelles--Government
CIA FactbookThe World Factbook 1993: Seychelles Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles

Digraph: SE

Type: republic

Capital: Victoria

Administrative divisions: 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka

Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK)

Constitution: 5 June 1979

note: new constitution now being drafted by multiparty conference, to take effect in mid-1993

Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law

National holiday: Liberation Day, 5 June (1977) (anniversary of coup)

Political parties and leaders: ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert RENE; Democratic Party (DP), Sir James MANCHAM; Seychelles Party (PS), Wavel RAMKALAWAN; Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD), Jacques HONDOUL; Seychelles Liberal Party (SLP), Ogilvie BERLOUIS

Other political or pressure groups: trade unions; Roman Catholic Church

Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal

Elections:

note: presidential and legislative elections are scheduled to be held once the new, multiparty consititution is ratified later this year

President: last held 9-11 June 1989 (next to be held NA 1993); results - President France Albert RENE reelected without opposition

People's Assembly: last held 5 December 1987 (next to be held mid-1993); results - SPPF was the only legal party; seats - (25 total, 23 elected) SPPF 23

Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers

Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple)

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Supreme Court

Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977)

Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Second Secretary, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Marc R. MARENGO chancery: (temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017 telephone: (212) 687-9766 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Matthew F. MATTINGLY embassy: 4th Floor, Victoria House, Victoria mailing address: Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, or Box 148, Unit 62501, APO AE 09815-2501 telephone: (248) 25256 FAX: (248) 25189

Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; the white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest