Presidential address day declared public holiday

The President’s Office on Wednesday announced that the day of the annual presidential address to parliament will now be observed as a public holiday.

The decision reverses an earlier policy that made the day a regular working day.

In January 2024, the President’s Office stated that the day of the presidential address, delivered under Article 84 of the constitution, would no longer be a public holiday.

However, a statement issued Wednesday clarified that this decision has been changed, declaring the day a public holiday in accordance with the same constitutional provision.

This year, President Mohamed Muizzu is scheduled to deliver the presidential address to parliament on Thursday, February 6. This will be his second presidential address and the first for the current 20th parliament. His initial address was delivered during the first session of the 19th parliament, which had an MDP majority.

As mandated by the constitution, the presidential address provides an overview of the nation’s current state and outlines the president’s vision and plans for addressing key challenges and advancing national progress.