President Ramkalawan receives SADC’s new executive secretary   |25 February 2023

President Ramkalawan accepts a gift from Mr Mogasi

The new executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Elias Magosi, paid a courtesy call on President Wavel Ramkalawan yesterday morning at State House.

The courtesy call on the President forms part of Mr Mogosi’s visits to the 16 member states of SADC to introduce himself as the new executive secretary and to put forward his vision for the organisation with regard to expedite integration in terms of diversification of the economy, effective governance reporting, peace and security for the Southern region among others.

Speaking to the press after his meeting with President Ramkalawan, Mr Mogasi said that apart from discussing his vision with the President, they also talked about the long-standing relation between our country and SADC, on how to support the members states on areas that are important to them, including on the role that our country can play to promote good governance among the member states based on our good governance record.

He added that they also discussed support and assistance to member states affected by climate change and the maintenance of peace and security in the Southern African region and on how to deal with member states that are affecting the peace and security in the region.

He said that the financial contribution by our country through its active participation in the organisation is also helping to combat terrorism in the region.

“Seychelles is one of the members of SADC with good standing and is up to date with order payment, so it’s important that the member states appreciate issues of peace and security in the region, where we feel threatened and how we deal with those aspects going forward,” said Mr Mogasi.  

Speaking about his vision for the organisation with regard to expediting integration, Mr Mogasi said that it is all about using devices available to move away from developing policies and strategies only and to come up with real tangible projects that can make a difference in the lives of the people.  

“We want the excellencies and the ministers, when they go and talk, they talk about these things that are critical,” said Mr Mogasi who was leading a four-member delegation.         

Also present during the discussion were Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde and the principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivienne Fock-Tave.

Text & photo by Patrick Joubert