During a recent visit to Seychelles, Lord Collins of Highbury, the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office Minister for Africa accompanied by the British High Commissioner Mr. Jeffery Glekin were welcomed by the Minister for Internal Affairs, Charles Fonseka, at the Regional Fusion and Law Enforcement Centre for Safety and Security at Sea (REFLECS3) Centre at Bois de Rose. The discussions focused on the strong collaboration between Seychelles and the United Kingdom on maritime security, the ongoing reform of the Seychelles Police Force and migration and border control. Lord Collins was also briefed on the vital roles of the Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC) and the National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC) in combating illicit maritime activities. The briefing reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between Seychelles, the UK, and regional partners in ensuring maritime security.
Seychelles continues to deepen its valued partnership with the United Kingdom, particularly in the area of maritime security. With its long history of maritime leadership, the UK, alongside Seychelles, plays a crucial role in safeguarding key maritime routes and enhancing global maritime security.
In response to the resurgence of Somali piracy since November 2023, Director of NISCC Captain Gerald Wong-Pool explained that Seychelles remains vigilant, emphasizing the need for sustained international cooperation to address these threats. The rise in piracy endangers seafarers and threatens global trade routes, potentially disrupting supply chains. As a key regional actor, Seychelles reaffirms its’ commitment to working with partners like the UK to strengthen maritime security and enhance its response capabilities. Additionally, Seychelles advocates for a comprehensive approach to securing the Red Sea, focusing on piracy as well as broader regional instability, through enhanced information-sharing, coordinated naval patrols, and capacity-building for regional actors.
In a significant achievement, Seychelles has been endorsed as the incoming Chair of the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities (CGIMA) during the 2nd plenary meeting in September 2024. Seychelles highly values the UK’s participation in the Contact Group, represented by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). This endorsement reflects the UK’s strong commitment to burden-sharing in international maritime security. Minister Fonseka expressed how Seychelles looks forward to working closely with the UK and other partners to address evolving maritime threats, enhance information sharing, and promote capacity-building initiatives through the Djibouti Code of Conduct
The Deputy Commissioner of the Seychelles Police Force Mr. Francis Songoire acknowledged the UK’s unwavering support in advancing police reforms, which are essential to fostering a safer society. The collaboration between the two nations has greatly enhanced the Seychelles Police Force’s ability to address critical policing issues.
During his visit, Lord Collins commended Seychelles on the collaborative work done with international partners to police the vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He emphasized that securing legal frameworks and enforcing maritime laws are critical to protecting Seychelles' borders and strengthening its security. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary of the Immigration & Civil Status Department Mr. Allain Volcere and Executive Director of the Ministers Secretariat Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs welcomed an African Union (AU) delegation, led by Ambassador Ali Mamba of the Kingdom of Eswatini, to assess the devastating flooding in North Mahé. Minister Charles Fonseka thanked the AU for their support and donations, while local experts, including geologist Mr. Jean-Luc Mondon, provided insights on high-risk areas and ongoing recovery plans.
The AU praised Seychelles' disaster response efforts, with Head of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Rita Amukhobu, acknowledging the unique challenges posed by the island’s mountainous terrain. Minister Fonseka highlighted how collaboration with Swiss experts has strengthened Seychelles’ ability to manage risks.
The delegation toured affected areas and stressed the importance of proactive community involvement in reducing risks, especially for families living in high-risk zones.
The 2024 Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (GPSCF), held in Lianyungang City on 9th September 2024, brought together delegates from over 100 countries. Under the theme “Win-Win Cooperation under Significant Changes: Building a Global Community of Common Public Security,” the forum emphasized the collective goal of fostering international cooperation to enhance public safety worldwide.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Wang Xiaohong highlighted China’s commitment to a shared future in global public security and the country’s readiness to deepen international exchanges and collaboration in this crucial field.
The forum featured three key sessions:
Session I: Building a Community of Common Responsibility through a Cooperation Network Jointly Established by Multiple Forces.
Session II: Maintaining Common Security by Sharing the Outcomes of Cooperation.
Session III: Discussing Approaches to Public Security Cooperation through Improved Coordination Mechanisms.
These sessions, led by high-level law enforcement representatives from various countries, underscored the global consensus on the importance of international law enforcement collaboration and the joint fight against transnational crime and terrorism.
On 10th September 2024, several sub-forums took place. The Seychelles delegation participated in two key discussions:
International Security Situation: Speakers addressed geopolitical issues worldwide and their security risks, with a particular focus on China's role in the global security context.
Public Security and Safety Technology: International and local speakers, along with companies, showcased advancements in law enforcement technologies, including forensics and CCTV monitoring.
This forum reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening global public security through cooperation and the integration of innovative solutions
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka, led the Seychelles delegation at the 1st China-East Africa Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation, held in Beijing. Co-chaired by Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Public Security, H.E. Wang Xiaohong, and Burundi’s Minister of Interior, Community Development and Public Security, Mr. Martin Niteretse, the dialogue focused on enhancing regional security and law enforcement cooperation.
Minister Wang Xiaohong highlighted China’s commitment to strengthening security ties with East African nations, elevating China-Africa relations to the level of a strategic partnership. The discussions focused on addressing emerging law enforcement challenges and advancing the Global Security Initiative.
In his address, Minister Fonseka reaffirmed Seychelles’ dedication to fostering regional and international cooperation in security and law enforcement. “We gather to discuss a matter of great importance to our shared future: the common aspiration and shared commitment to building a China-East Africa community of law enforcement and security in this new era,” he stated.
Minister Fonseka also emphasized the importance of addressing global security threats such as transnational crime, terrorism, human trafficking, and cyber threats, calling for unity and collaboration to ensure peace and stability. He further highlighted Seychelles’ strategic position in the Indian Ocean and the nation’s role in maritime security, particularly in combatting piracy and safeguarding vital trade routes.
This dialogue marks an important step in strengthening security cooperation between China, Seychelles, and other East African nations as they work together to tackle modern law enforcement challenges.
A significant step forward in the fight against trafficking in persons (TIP) was taken today as stakeholders gathered for a workshop aimed at strengthening criminal justice responses in Seychelles. The event is organized under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) project, “Enhancing Effective and Victim-Centered Criminal Justice Responses to TIP in Eastern Africa”, with funding support from the U.S. Department of State.
This initiative is designed to bolster the strategic and operational capacities of Eastern African Member States, including Seychelles. It focuses on the development and enhancement of national legislation, standard operating procedures, and action plans aligned with the Palermo Protocols. Ultimately, the project seeks to prevent, suppress, and punish TIP-related crimes while ensuring comprehensive protection and support for victims.
In support of this effort, the UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) recently published the UNODC Regional Legislative Assessment on TIP in Eastern Africa. This assessment highlights gaps in national anti-trafficking legislation and coordination across 13 Member States, including Seychelles. Building on this analysis, the UNODC has partnered with the Government of Seychelles to conduct scenario-based simulation exercises and deliver joint training sessions for law enforcement officers, reinforcing the country’s ability to respond effectively to TIP cases.
Today’s workshop marks a significant milestone in promoting a more coordinated, victim-centered approach to combating trafficking. The session brings together experts and practitioners from across sectors to share best practices and deepen collaborative efforts. Training is being led by UNODC Trainer Ms. Carmen Corbin, with additional expertise provided by Mr. Gerhard van Rooyen and Ms. Marce Gillespie from the International Criminal Court.
The workshop underscores Seychelles’ continued commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and enhancing justice mechanisms to address one of the region’s most urgent human rights challenges.
In a training session delivered by our Public Relations Officer, Ms. Juliette Ernesta, the Minister’s Secretariat team learned how to utilize this innovative tool. This entirely digital feedback form will help us better register feedback from the clients who visit us, ensuring we continue to improve our services.
Customers can now easily provide their feedback by scanning a QR code or clicking a link to access the survey online on https://forms.office.com/r/VKNmRzQ3tu. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing services across all departments within the Ministry.
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The Immigration & Civil Status Department held its second oath of allegiance ceremony for this year yesterday morning in the Ministry of Internal Affairs boardroom. During the ceremony, 11 individuals received their Seychellois citizenship after meeting the necessary requirements and completing the citizenship process.
The Minister of Internal Affairs addressed the attendees, emphasizing their new roles as ambassadors of Seychelles. He stated, "Despite your various backgrounds and origins, you are being called upon to be ambassadors of your new country. Make good use of your knowledge and experience to promote Seychelles, to serve its interests, and to participate actively towards its development through volunteering during times of need and contributing towards the well-being of your respective communities as a law-abiding citizen."
The ceremony also saw the participation of Mr. Alain Volcere, the Principal Secretary of the Immigration & Civil Status Department, who led the group in reciting the oath in unison while facing the flag of Seychelles.
The new Seychellois citizens are:
1. Mr Stephen Tuu-Issaka
2. Mr James Webb
3. Mrs Kuniko Boniface
4. Mr Patrick Lawrence
5. Mrs Miriam Cook
6. Mrs Hoticia Brioche
7. Mrs Maria Florine
8. Mrs Amina Charo
9. Mr John Johnstone
10. Mrs Anziza Gonthier
11. Mrs Venessa William
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