27 Aug 2025
Ahead of next month’s elections, activists questions the value and accountability of new Gulf States investments
The cost of living, Gulf States investors and the government’s authoritarian turn are set to dominate the elections on 27 September. They will be the first national electoral test for President Wavel Ramkalawan’s and his Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) coalition since he defeated his predecessor Danny Faure in 2020. Ramkalawan’s increasing reliance on United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which are investing heavily on tourism on the islands, is raising questions about accountability and environmental conservation as well as their contribution to a more balanced national economy. Seychelles has a high average per-capita income, reflecting some very wealthy residents, but it still has a poverty rate of around 23%.
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