SPDF geared and ready to serve during the COVID-19 crisis |01 April 2020
In order to maintain its operational readiness to support the civil authorities as part of the military response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) has formulated and activated its response plan, in partnership with other agencies directly linked to the crisis.
These include the Division of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM), the department of health, the Police Force, as well as several maritime agencies, including the National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC), while personnel and assets have already been deployed accordingly, depending on requests received.
In a briefing yesterday at the SPDF’s Joint Operation Centre (JOC) at the Seychelles Coast Guard base at Perseverance, President Danny Faure who is also the Commander in Chief of the defence forces was briefed on the response plan set up following the first Joint Command Chain meeting where the SPDF and the Police Force discussed on ways in which they can further assist the department of health and civil authorities in their efforts to stop the virus from propagating.
The joint command chain was also set up to maintain law and order should there be additional measures against the spread of COVID-19.
While soldiers have started to be seen across the country assisting the department of health and guarding quarantine facilities, the SPDF is also helping the department logistically with contact-tracing, offering a barrack at the Seychelles Coast Guard base as a quarantine centre as well as their medical facilities, assisting with the transportation of equipment and other logistical needs.
The SPDF is also working alongside the Police Force in patrolling duties on Mahé and the inner islands.
In terms of specialised operations, the Seychelles Coast Guard and the Seychelles Air Force are active in maritime and air related surveillance and interaction operations to secure the national borders at this critical time.
These include detecting, deterring and suppressing illegal activities, illicit trafficking and maritime crimes within Seychelles’ area of operation, conducting surveillance patrol operations to ensure that no unauthorised vessels and personnel enter the territorial waters, conducting maritime safety and security operations, as well as tracking and observing vessels of interests.
As part of the effort, President Faure also requested the activation of a military reserve and in response the SPDF devised a plan to manage the process.
To date, in total, 40 interviews have been conducted with the ex-military personnel, but unfortunately, only 15 met the criteria, while the rest were rejected after testing positive for illicit drugs.
Out of the 15 successful candidates, 11 have already been re-instated, while the remaining five will start working soon.
The SPDF is in close negotiation with the Seychelles Military Retired Servicemen Association (SMRSA) regarding the possibility of engaging more of its members.
Roland Duval