The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka, warmly welcomed His Excellency Mr. Henk Jan Bakker, Ambassador-Designate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, during a courtesy call aimed at further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Seychelles and the Netherlands.

 

Minister Fonseka expressed Seychelles' appreciation for the Netherlands' unwavering contributions to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean, particularly through the European Union naval operations, such as EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta, which have played a critical role in securing key maritime routes. "The Netherlands' involvement in Operation Atalanta has been pivotal in countering the threat of piracy near the Somali coast. Seychelles recognises the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation to tackle these evolving threats," said Minister Fonseka.

 

The discussions also underscored the importance of burden-sharing in maritime security, with Seychelles expressing gratitude for the Netherlands’ contributions in naval assets, logistical support, and joint training exercises. The two nations discussed the urgent issue of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, which threatens both the region's economic stability and marine ecosystems. Seychelles praised the Netherlands for its leadership in global fisheries management.

Minister Fonseka also recognised the Netherlands' commitment to promoting Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) through the CRIMARIO project and expressed interest in strengthening cooperation to better monitor and secure Seychelles’ maritime zones.

The meeting further highlighted past cooperation between the two countries in prison services, with the contribution of a Dutch correctional facility professional to the development of Montagne Posée Prison from 2011 to 2014. Seychelles is keen to explore new opportunities for collaboration in this sector.

 

Seychelles reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with the Netherlands, particularly in the face of evolving maritime security challenges. Minister Fonseka concluded by expressing his eagerness to deepen cooperation in operational responses, legal reforms, and capacity building to ensure the security of our shared waters.

 

The meeting was also attended by the Principal Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Civil Status Mr. Allain Volcere, Deputy Commissioner of the Seychelles Police Mr. Francis Songoire , Director of NISCC Captain Gerald Wong-Pool, Executive Director Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure and Chief Inspector of the Seychelles Prisons Services Gerry Uranie.

The Republic of Seychelles actively participated in the Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government, which was held on 20th November 2024 in Harare, Republic of Zimbabwe. This significant event was chaired by H.E. Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, under the overarching theme of peace, security, and regional stability.

Representing President Wavel Ramkalawan at the Summit was Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka. Seychelles joined fellow Member States in discussions focused on addressing critical issues impacting the region, with a particular emphasis on the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

 

During the Summit, Member States expressed profound concern over the worsening situation in the eastern DRC, which continues to have grave implications for peace and stability within the region. The leaders reaffirmed SADC’s unwavering commitment to finding a lasting and sustainable resolution to the conflict, reiterating the importance of regional solidarity in achieving peace, stability, and security in the DRC.

The Summit also celebrated the successful holding of peaceful elections in the Republics of Mozambique, Botswana, and Mauritius. Member States extended their congratulations to the newly elected leaders, commending the commitment of these nations to democratic processes and governance.

 

The Seychelles delegation called for enhanced and coordinated efforts to resolve the conflict in eastern DRC. The delegation underscored the importance of adopting a collaborative approach, bringing together all relevant stakeholders to work within the established framework for coordinating and harmonizing peace initiatives and processes across the region. Seychelles reiterated its steadfast support for SADC’s mission to promote peace, security, and development in the region.

 

The Summit marked yet another milestone in fostering regional unity and collaboration among SADC Member States. Seychelles remains committed to its role as an active member of the community, advocating for policies and initiatives that prioritize peace, human rights and sustainable development for all. The Minister was accompanied by the Director of the National Information Sharing Coordination Center (NISCC) Captain Gerald Wong-Pool, Director General for Regional Affairs Mr. Christian Faure and Executive Director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministers Secretariat Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure.

The Seychelles delegation led by the Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Charles Fonseka made a significant mark at the Digital Government Africa Summit, held in Lusaka, Zambia, from October 2nd to 4th, 2024. During the event, the team engaged in in-depth discussions, emphasizing Seychelles' progress in digital governance and exploring new opportunities for collaboration with African nations and global industry leaders.

Seychelles continues to establish itself as a leader in digital citizen services across Africa. An important aspect of this digital transformation is the introduction of the Seychelles Virtual ID, now available to foreign permit holders. This has further expanded digital inclusivity for its citizens. This initiative underscores the nation's commitment to making digital services accessible to all, marking another milestone in Seychelles’ digital strategy.

 

During the summit, Minister Fonseka, addressed one of Seychelles' key achievements in overcoming challenges related to issuing bio-metric passports for Seychellois citizens living abroad. To address these issues, Seychelles has established bio-metric passport enrollment stations at its overseas missions. While passport production remains centralized in Seychelles, this new setup ensures that quality control and efficiency are maintained while providing convenience to those abroad.

The Seychelles delegation held fruitful discussions with prominent industry leaders who specialize in cutting-edge identity solutions and electronic border control systems. Several key areas of interest were explored. Discussions also touched on electronic surveillance, border monitoring systems, and the ability to capture data from satellite phones operating within Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The team reviewed advanced encryption solutions, including those addressing the emerging field of quantum encryption, to safeguard sensitive information and communications.

 

The summit also introduced the Seychelles delegation to innovative biometric solutions that have the potential to improve security and data management. In addition, the summit showcased innovative tourist ID systems that could significantly benefit Seychelles' tourism sector. These solutions promise to streamline identification processes for visitors, enhancing the overall experience and supporting the nation’s thriving tourism industry.

 

Seychelles' participation in the Digital Government Africa Summit has solidified its role as a leader in digital governance on the continent. The insights gained and partnerships formed during the event will further strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and citizen services.

Moving forward, Seychelles is eager to explore collaborative opportunities with the companies and industry experts met at the summit. Identity solutions, cloud services, and other digital innovations discussed at the summit will be crucial as Seychelles continues to expand its technological capabilities.

The delegation also included Principal Secretary for the Department of Information, Communications and Technology (DICT) Mr. Benjamin Choppy, Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) Executive Director Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure and MIA IT Director Mr. Nico Isaac, expressed their appreciation for the invaluable support and insights received throughout the summit. They look forward to implementing the key learnings and exploring innovative solutions that will enhance Seychelles' digital landscape in the coming years.

The Seychelles recently participated in the 9th African Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP-9) in Namibia. This important event brought together nations, organizations, and stakeholders to share best practices and strengthen disaster resilience across Africa.

The Seychelles' delegation, led by Minister Charles Fonseka, played a key role in the discussions that took place over the course of four days. Minister Fonseka also served as a panel member for a plenary session on the topic of "Reducing Loss and Damage: Saving Lives and Protecting Investments," contributing valuable insights on reducing loss and damage, particularly within the context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

 

Minister Fonseka and other Seychelles representatives actively contributed to high-level meetings and discussions, shaping the direction of disaster risk reduction in Africa. The Seychelles also engaged with various organizations, including the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), to further its commitment to disaster risk reduction. This included solidifying plans to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

 

Minister Fonseka also participated in the 8th High-Level Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), where the Windhoek Declaration was implemented. The Declaration calls on all members of society to take part in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) activities and urges countries to mainstream DRM into development programs across all sectors.

 

During the mission, Minister Fonseka engaged in a bilateral meeting with Mr. Kamal Kishore, the newly appointed United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The mission resulted in concrete plans for improving emergency communication networks, integrating disaster law into national policy, and enhancing communication strategies for disaster preparedness.

The Minister was accompanied by Mr. Robert Ernesta, Director General of the Disaster Risk Management Department (DRMD), Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure, Executive Director in the MIA Secretariat, Mr. Romano Songor, Executive Director from the Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs (MLGCA), and Miss Maria Evenson, Economist from the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade (MFNPT).

 

Looking Ahead:

The Seychelles delegation's contributions to AfRP-9 will help inform future national and regional strategies for building resilience against natural disasters. We remain committed to protecting our communities and advancing disaster risk reduction initiatives.

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.