President Dr Patrick Herminie chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 12th August, during which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved.

Cabinet approved the Seychelles Petroleum Company Limited (SEYPEC) entering into a seven-year Fuel Supply Agreement with TotalEnergies Trading SA (TOTSA), incorporating a Payment Extension Facility. The agreement will secure the continued and reliable supply of petroleum products to Seychelles while strengthening SEYPEC’s liquidity and working capital and supporting the country’s energy security and financial resilience.

Cabinet approved the ratification of Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) between Seychelles and 33 partner countries, which will formally bring the agreements into force and enable their registration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The agreements provide the legal framework for international air services, including airline operations, routes, frequencies, safety and security, and commercial arrangements. Ratification will strengthen Seychelles’ air connectivity, support tourism and trade, and provide greater opportunities for Air Seychelles through expanded route planning and commercial partnerships, including codeshare arrangements.

Cabinet approved the continued pursuit of a managed approach to air transport liberalisation, rather than adopting a fully Open Skies policy at this stage. Seychelles will continue to regulate market access, frequencies, capacity entitlements and traffic rights through its Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs), while Fifth Freedom traffic rights will continue to be considered and granted on a case-by-case basis. This approach will support enhanced air connectivity and tourism development while safeguarding national aviation interests, including the long-term strategic role and viability of Air Seychelles.

Cabinet approved the granting of Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights to Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) on the Tanzania–Seychelles–Russia–Seychelles–Tanzania route, subject to ATCL operating the Seychelles–Moscow sector on an all-year-round basis, to enhance air connectivity between Seychelles and Russia while safeguarding the continuity and sustainability of existing services

Cabinet approved the formal proclamation of the 58 roads on La Digue as official public roads under the Road Act Cap 205. The roads comprise 10 primary roads, 2 secondary roads and 46 feeder roads, and have been surveyed, measured and named through the La Digue Road Naming Exercise. The proclamation will provide the roads with formal legal status, strengthen road safety enforcement, facilitate postal addressing and the delivery of emergency and other essential services, and preserve the cultural and historical significance of La Digue’s road names. The Proclamation will start with 10 primary roads, followed by the 2 secondary roads.

Cabinet approved the proposed amendments to the Custody, Management and Disposal of Seized, Forfeited or Confiscated Properties Act, 2021, together with the framework for regulations governing the Asset Recovery Fund. The amendments will strengthen the Asset Management Unit’s ability to manage and dispose of seized and confiscated assets efficiently, including through online auctions, improve information-sharing and coordination with relevant authorities, and establish clearer procedures for the administration and disbursement of recovered funds, including victim restitution, support to law enforcement and community projects

Cabinet approved the detailed Action and Implementation Plan for the Seychelles National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2026–2031, comprising 31 actions aimed at strengthening women’s participation in decision-making, protection and prevention of violence, economic resilience, and gender-responsive crisis management, relief and recovery. The decision also establishes the governance and accountability arrangements for implementation, including the National WPS Steering Committee, Technical Working Group and institutional focal points, with agencies required to integrate assigned actions into their annual work plans and budgets.

Cabinet approved the proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, 2020, to strengthen Seychelles’ AML/CFT framework, align it with international standards and address gaps identified ahead of the country’s mutual evaluation. The amendments strengthen preventive, supervisory and investigative measures and clarify AML/CFT obligations for virtual asset service providers.

Cabinet approved the recognition of Bachelor of Laws degrees awarded by accredited universities in Malaysia and Cyprus, including Taylor’s University, subject to completion of the prescribed core law subjects, as well as a process for adding other suitable universities and LLB programmes to the Schedule of recognised institutions based on accreditation, academic standards and compatibility with Seychelles’ legal and professional requirements. The decision provides a clear pathway for eligible students and graduates towards professional legal training and admission to practice, subject to all applicable statutory and professional requirements.

Cabinet approved that, effective Monday, 17 August 2026, normal working hours will resume, with the working day ending at 4:00 p.m.