2022 a “successful year” for the department of Foreign Affairs |30 December 2022
Signing of MoUs between Seychelles and India for high impact community projects
“The Foreign Affairs Department has had a successful year in 2022, as evidenced by the number of memoranda of understanding and agreements signed, which will pave the way for increased cooperation with our bilateral and multilateral partners.
“Seychelles has also taken part in a number of Summits and international meetings/fora, which have given us the opportunity to raise awareness about issues that are very important to the country, such as the need for adoption and implementation of a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Implementation of an MVI will give middle and high income SIDS access to concessional financing for their development needs.
“The Department is looking forward to continue harnessing opportunities through international relations in the coming year, as well as consolidate Seychelles’ leadership role in niche areas” – (Vivianne FOCK TAVE, Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs)
Four main technical divisions of foreign affairs department |03 February 2022
The foreign affairs department started the year by announcing its various divisions and functions. There are four main technical divisions namely; bilateral affairs headed by Lindy Ernesta, multilateral affairs by Amanda Padayachy, regional affairs by Steve Lalande, and consular and diaspora affairs by Jacques Belle.
A fifth division, under the responsibility of Pamela Payet, falls under the principal secretary’s secretariat. It provides support to the technical divisions and units of the department are the human resources, administration and budget management division.
Legal affairs headed by Sandra Michel and development aid headed by Terence Malbrook are the units falling under the principal secretary’s secretariat.
The chief of protocol who has the overall responsibility for state protocol reports directly to the principal secretary. This position is currently being occupied by Gervais Moumou.
State House has a protocol unit which reports directly to the President.
11th European Development Fund (EDF) for the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) |01 April 2022
In April, Seychelles took part in the third high-level steering committee meeting of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) for the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA), which was done virtually.
The biannual meeting allowed members to be apprised of the progress of the long-term technical assistance to provide support towards the implementation of the iEPA in Seychelles.
The iEPA is an interim agreement signed by Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Zimbabwe with the European Union (EU) on August 29, 2009 in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) configuration.
European Union, UNODC reps call on Minister Radegonde |05 April 2022
In early April, Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs, Sylvestre Radegonde received a delegation from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.
The combined EU and UNODC delegation was in the country to conduct a fact-finding visit in relation to the EUNavfor’s Operations Atalanta and Mr Radegonde said the visit provided the EU delegation with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that Seychelles faces as an oceanic state.
Seychelles and the EU have long been close partners in combating piracy and other maritime crimes in the Western Indian Ocean.
Seychelles envoy accredited to Zambia and Comesa |12 May 2022
In May, Seychelles’ envoy, Claude Morel was accredited as the High Commissioner to Zambia in a ceremony at State House, Lusaka after presenting his credentials to the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema.
He was also accredited as a permanent representative to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, Comesa, after the organisation’s secretary general, Chilesa Kapwepwe, received the accreditation Letters from President Wavel Ramkalawan.
First Multi-Sector Policy Dialogue between the Government of Seychelles and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) 19.05.2022
In May, Seychelles and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), held their first Multi-Sector Policy Dialogue.
The High-Level Dialogue was organized as an open and constructive exchange between the Seychelles’ ministers and other representatives from both the Government and the UN. The aim was to reflect on the country’s response to Covid-19 pandemic and to identify priority areas of support and cooperation for the next UN-Seychelles Strategic Partnership Framework (SPF - 2024-2028) in parallel with the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS).
Four representatives of UN agencies to Seychelles accredited |19 May 2022
Four new representatives of United Nations agencies were accredited to Seychelles.
They were Hubert Gijzen, regional director and representative for United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco); Charles Mbuli Boliko, country representative for Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); Dr Coffi Agossou, country director for International Labour Organisation (ILO); and Koffi Kouame, country director for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Ambassador Conrad Mederic accredited to the AU and Uneca |28 May 2022
Also in May, Ambassador Conrad Mederic became the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Seychelles to Ethiopia after he presented his letter of credence to Vera Songwe, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca).
Ambassador Mederic also submitted his credentials as the African Union (AU) Permanent Representative of the Seychelles to H.E. Moussa Faki MAHAMAT, chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
Minister Radegonde on official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |02 June 2022
The Minister for Foreign Affairs & Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, undertook an official visit to Saudi Arabia from May 29 to 31, 2022 at the invitation of His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral cooperation and Minister Radegonde also conveyed Seychelles’ support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the Expo 2030 in Riyadh.
US government considers reinstating permanent diplomatic presence in Seychelles |17 September 2022
In September this year, the United States’ government expressed interest to re-establish a permanent diplomatic presence in Seychelles.
This was revealed by the new chargé d’affaires ad interim of the embassy of the United States of America based in Port Louis, Mauritius, Satrajit (Jitu) Sardar, when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, at Maison Quéau de Quinssy.
Four pioneers in Seychelles diplomacy honoured |01 October 2022
In October, four former Foreign Affairs ministers were honoured with the unveiling of plaques in their names on two conference rooms, a waiting area and the ATRIUM of the Foreign Affairs department, to pay tribute and honour their legacy..
The plaques, paying tribute to ministers Guy Sinon, Jacques Hodoul, Maxime Ferrari and Danielle de St Jorre, were unveiled in a ceremony at the department’s headquarters, at Maison Queau De Quinssy, in the presence of their families and friends, as well as former colleagues and staff of the Foreign Affairs department.
The building now has ‘Salle Danielle de St Jorre’, ‘Salle Maxime Ferrari’, ‘Salle Guy Sinon’ and ‘l’Atrium Jacques Hodoul’.
Seychelles and EU to further strengthen cooperation in new fields, 9th Political Dialogue concludes |05 October 2022
In October, the 9th Political Dialogue between Seychelles and European Union, EU took place at Eden Bleu, where both sides expressed satisfaction for the achievements of the strategic partnership and agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of maritime security, sustainable blue economy, trade, investment as well as environment and climate change.
The meeting was co-chaired by Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde, and European Union (EU) Ambassador Vincent Degert, who highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation and the Seychelles-EU partnership in a bid to tackle the current crises and future ones.
Seychelles and South Africa sign new bilateral cooperation agreement |15 October 2022
In October, Seychelles and South Africa signed their 3rd Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCC) which is for a two-year period.
The signing in the ‘Salon Maxime Ferrari’, was a culmination of several months of discussions, which started in July 26, 2022, and which ended with the two sides having their final agreement and adopting the minutes of the senior officials meeting held back in July.
The Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation is a platform where cooperation matters are addressed and the document was signed by the seychelles’ minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde and the South African deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini in a ceremony at the Maison Quéau de Quinssy.
Seychelles and South Africa established formal diplomatic relations 29 years ago.
Seychelles and India sign MoUs for high impact community projects |26 November 2022
In late November, Seychelles and India signed two memoranda of understanding for the construction of three access roads that would benefit around sixty families living in Cascade, Pointe Larue and Anse Aux Pins.
The road, which are expected to be completed before the end of 2023, are being financed under the High Impact Community Development project of the Indian government for Seychelles.
UAE chargé d'affaires hosts 51st National Day anniversary reception |02 December 2022
To mark the United Arab Emirates’ 51st National Day on December, 2 its Chargé d'affaires in Seychelles, Ahmed AlNeyadi, hosted a reception at the Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa, where he hailed the bilateral relations between Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which he said have evolved into a strong strategic partnership over the years, reaping numerous benefits towards the well-being of all people.
The event was attended by President Wavel Ramkalawan and First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Vice- President Ahmed Afif and Mrs Stella Afif, ministers, government officials and dignitaries.
U.S. embassy announces arrival of its counsellor for Seychelles |17 December 2022
In mid-December, the U.S. embassy to Mauritius and Seychelles announced the arrival of James Donegan, Counsellor for Seychelles affairs, to the U.S. Office in Victoria.
Mr. Donegan is responsible for the United States’ bilateral and multilateral relationship with Seychelles, and focused on managing the expanding diplomatic, economic, and security-related policy priorities shared by the U.S. and Seychellois governments.
His arrival as the Counsellor for Seychelles is part of the U.S. government’s efforts to expand and strengthen the U.S.-Seychelles bilateral relationship, starting with establishing a more permanent presence in Victoria, which was announced in September.
Compiled by Patsy Canaya
