Col. Jean Attala appointed SDF’s new Chief of Staff |14 October 2022
Col. Attala receiving his letter of appointment as the SDF’s new Chief of Staff
By Laura Pillay
Colonel Jean Attala is the new Chief of Staff of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), following his appointment by Commander in Chief President Wavel Ramkalawan yesterday morning.
Colonel Attala replaces Colonel Simon Dine, who has retired from the force.
President Ramkalawan expressed pride at how the defence forces are being managed characterised by professionalism and good collaboration and between the different branches of the force, and which results in successful missions.
“Colonel Attala, our new Chief of Staff, under your management and collaboration over the past two years, Seychelles has managed to pull off certain missions to protect our country from the drug scourge. Under your command, we have pulled off another recently.
“I know your abilities, and I know that you are serious, and how you do not leave what can be done today for tomorrow. It is this attitude and aptitude which our military needs, to have a sense of urgency in our mission,” President Ramkalawan stated.
Born on Mahé on April 15, 1970, Attala attended the St Francis school, Baie Lazare, followed by two years at the National Youth Service (NYS). He thereafter completed his ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level studies at the School of Humanities and Sciences of the Seychelles Polytechnic, before joining the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) on April 19, 1991. He was posted to the newly established Seychelles Coast Guard in 1993.
Over the years, Colonel Attala has attended a number of courses, including from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, UK, where he was awarded the King Hussein’s Award for outstanding performance as an overseas student, and the Academy Silver Bugle as best athlete for the entire course.
He has a rich and varied experience of operational command of ships, having undertaken numerous challenging missions during the fight against piracy, and recently against narcotics smuggling. In recognition of his meritorious services of an exceptionally high order, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Sea Service Medal and Presidential Commendation for his participation in counter-piracy operations in 2011.
Over his career, Col. Attala has held a number of significant Command positions, including, Commissioning Executive Officer of Patrol Ship Topaz, Operations and Training Officer at the Seychelles Coast Guards (SCG) Headquarters, General Staff Officer for Operations and Training, and Public Relations Officer. He was appointed as Commander SCG on August 1, 2021 after having served as Acting Commander since January 2021 and as Deputy Commander since April 2019.
Colonel Attala is a member of the Defence Forces Council (DFC).
Colonel Attala noted that through his new appointment, he aims to continue what has been built upon in the SDF, and to bring new ideas, towards ensuring that the defence forces become more visible to the public, so that they know who the forces are, and their responsibility is for the country.
“It represents progression in my career, where I will also have to discharge additional responsibilities. With the trainings and experiences that I have received, now is the time for me to discharge this and give the entire forces, not just the SCG, but the entire force all that has been invested in me throughout all these years,” he said.
“As mentioned by the President, there is more emphasis, and more officers wearing the white uniforms. We are placing more emphasis on the SCG, because of our large maritime territory, and all of our major challenges are at sea. We know that the ocean is a lifeline for our country, all of our commodities and economic aspect rely on the ocean, and it is therefore normal and justified that we place emphasis on the protection and defence of our marine territories,” Col. Attala stated.
In moving forward, it is necessary that the force attracts even more personnel. As such, the SDF is working in collaboration with school and post-secondary institutions in a bid to attract competent individuals.
In addition to Colonel Attala’s promotion, a number of other officers were yesterday promoted to higher rank, by Commander in Chief Ramkalawan.
- Appointment of Acting Commander of SCG
Lieutenant Colonel David Arrisol, who was promoted to Acting Deputy Commander of the SCG in 2021 was yesterday promoted to Acting Commander of the SCG.
Lieutenant Colonel Arrisol was born on August 20, 1975, and joined the SDF in 1996, following his studies at the Plaisance schools, the NYS, and graduation from the Seychelles Polytechnic in 1995.
He was in 2022 promoted as an officer, and has undergone numerous courses abroad, including the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington India, Diploma in Marine Mechanics from France, International Maritime Officer Course in USA and Senior Command Course in India.
Over the years, he has held numerous ranks including SCG Workshop Administration Officer, SCG Technical Officer Chairman Committee SDF Coastal Surveillance Radar System and member on SDF Procurement Committee.
Promotion of four officers to higher ranks
Four servicemen who have met the requirements were promoted to higher ranks by President Ramkalawan and Chief of Defence Forces Michael Rosette.
Three were promoted from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel, namely, Didace Hoareau, Archil Mondon, and Allain Pierre. Mr Pierre was on overseas mission and not present for the ceremony yesterday.
The fourth serviceman, Captain Ivel Ernesta, was officially promoted to Major.
In order to qualify for the promotion, servicemen need to have years of uninterrupted service under a specific rank, to have completed compulsory courses required to qualify for next rank category, and the maintenance of a high level of discipline and professionalism. A high level of personal health and fitness, and, above all, maintaining a high-performance level throughout their careers is key to ensuring the SDF produces and promotes quality officers in terms of knowledge, skill, leadership and performance.
Commander in Chief’s message
President Ramkalawan seized the opportunity to yesterday call on the different forces to collaborate closely with one another, highlighting the role of the SCG for the existing collaboration with the Seychelles Police force, which is contributing greatly towards the crime-fighting efforts.
“I want to remind the Seychellois population that this is what pushed us to bring the Tenth amendment to our Constitution. Today, I want to reaffirm that I support 100 percent the collaboration between the military and the police, as we are doing it in a professional way, with nobody replacing each others’ roles. Rather, it is being done in discipline, with loyalty to our country, and determination to fly our flag as high as possible,” President Ramkalawan stated.
He further hinted at a ceremony whereby the new symbols of the SDF will be revealed, a reflection of the changes and transformations within the force.
“To all officers in the SDF, the new recruits, privates and other officers, I want to remind you that Seychelles is counting on you, and Seychelles wants to, at all time, express its pride for our men and women in uniform. Therefore, let us maintain this discipline and carry out the work which we are supposed to,” he added.
Laura Pillay
Photos by Louis Toussaint
