DG of Seychelles Intelligence Service re-appointed |26 October 2022

Mr Hoareau taking his oath before President Ramkalawan

• “Our biggest threat remains drug trafficking”

Benediste Hoareau has been re-appointed as the director-general of the Seychelles Intelligence Service (SIS) by President Wavel Ramkalawan.

He received his instrument of appointment during a brief ceremony yesterday morning at State House.

This appointment is in accordance with Section 6 of the Seychelles Intelligence Service Act, 2018 and the reappointment of Mr Hoareau has also been made following recommendations made to the President by the National Security Council, and following consultations with the Defence & Security Committee of the National Assembly.

Mr Hoareau has been in this position for the last three years and during that time they were setting up the office.

He affirmed that the biggest threat Seychelles had to face was drug trafficking.

The general functions of the Seychelles Intelligence Service are to establish mechanisms for detecting any threats to the security of Seychelles and its institutions, and to oversee the security of Seychelles.

It works in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and public institutions.

The Intelligence Service reports to the National Security Council, which is chaired by the President, and includes the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Defence Forces.

After taking the Oath of Allegiance followed by the Oath of Secrecy, Mr Hoareau spoke to the press and explained that “our role is to help other agencies with intelligence data. We are pleased to maintain a good relationship with the other agencies as our focus is national security. The SIS is completely independent from other organisations and we report only to the Security Council in order to keep away from any political interference or conflict of interest. We do have staff working with us and the majority of our functions remain unannounced and most of our staff are undeclared for security reason”.

Mr Hoareau shared that in the last three years the major threat for Seychelles remains drugs.

“It is the foundation of other crimes such as human trafficking, terrorism etc. Another danger is corruption.”

Mr Hoareau has a Degree in Education and in addition undertook numerous training courses relating to risk and crisis management, leadership, defence and security management. He has participated in the organisation of training courses for the Eastern & Southern Africa Standby Force (EASF), and participated in the development of an early warning system for the EASF. He also has considerable experience in working with security agencies and institutions in Seychelles.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Justice Rony Govinden, the Minister for Internal Affairs Errol Fonseka, the Attorney General Frank Ally, the deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gervais Henrie, the member of the National Assembly representing the Defence & Security Committee François Adelaide, the secretary of state for Cabinet Affairs Mohamed Afif and Chief of Staff of SDF Jean Attala. Mr Hoareau’s wife and daughter were also present.

Vidya Gappy

Photos: Louis Toussaint