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
The Minister of Internal Affairs bid farewell to outgoing members and welcomed the new Prison Advisory Board at the Ministry. In the meeting, the Minister, alongside the new Commissioner of the Seychelles Prison Services, Mrs. Janette Georges, discussed the future of the prison system. Key topics included enhancing uniformity in operations, focusing on inmate rehabilitation, and the opening of a new remand center on Perseverance.
The new board emphasized the importance of mental health support, capacity building, and strategies to reduce re-offending. Minister Fonseka thanked the previous board for their contributions and expressed optimism about the fresh insights the new board members will bring.
The board and the new Commissioner of Prisons are committed to supporting the Seychelles Prison Services in their mission to help inmates reintegrate into society successfully. This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards improving the prison system and ensuring the successful rehabilitation of inmates. The members are Mrs. Desiree Hermitte, Mr. Jude Marie, Imam Henecka ,Ms. Marguerite Francis and Dr. Michael Hall.
In a heartfelt meeting held at the Ministry of Internal Affairs yesterday afternoon, the Minister of Internal Affairs bid farewell to two esteemed members of the prison advisory board, Mrs. Bella Henderson and Pastor Eddy Payet. This marked the end of their dedicated service to the board, where they played crucial roles in advising on prison management and rehabilitation programs.
Mrs. Henderson and Pastor Payet were commended for their unwavering commitment and significant contributions. Their expertise and insights have been invaluable in shaping policies and improving the conditions and operations within the prison system. The Minister expressed gratitude for their hard work and dedication, highlighting the positive impact they have had during their tenure. Ex Commissioner of the Seychelles Prison Services Raymond St Ange thanked both members and spoke of the excellent collaborative work the board has done over the years.
Both outgoing members shared their reflections and experiences, expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to serve and their hopes for the future of the prison advisory board. The Minister emphasized the importance of the advisory board's role in maintaining a fair and effective prison system and assured that their successors would continue to build on the work of both Mrs. Henderson and Pastor Payet.
On Nelson Mandela Day, the Seychelles Prison Services (SPS) held a significant ceremony at the University of Seychelles to unveil their new strategic plan. This event marked a milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve the correctional system in the country, aligning it with international standards and best practices.
During the ceremony, the Minister of Internal Affairs delivered a poignant speech, emphasizing the importance of the Mandela Rules in prison reform. These rules, formally known as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, provide guidelines to ensure humane conditions and the respect of human dignity within correctional facilities.
The Minister praised the Seychelles Prison Services for their dedication to upholding these values, highlighting the progress made in recent years. He commended the efforts of the SPS in transforming the prison system into one that not only focuses on security and containment but also on rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society.
The unveiling of the new strategic plan represents a forward-thinking approach to address current challenges and set a clear direction for future developments. This plan includes initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing training for prison staff, and implementing programs that support the mental health and well-being of inmates.
The ceremony was a testament to the commitment of the Seychelles Prison Services to foster an environment that respects human rights and promotes positive change. By observing Nelson Mandela Day in this manner, the SPS demonstrated their alignment with the global movement towards more humane and effective correctional systems, honoring Mandela's legacy of justice and equality. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education Dr Justin Valentin, Minister for Employment and Social Affairs Mrs Patricia Francourt amongst other distinguished guests.
The Minister of Internal Affairs of Seychelles welcomed Mr. Guillermo Antonio Lopez Mac Lellan, the Ambassador-Designate of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of Seychelles. The meeting highlighted Spain’s active role and engagement in maritime security initiatives, both independently and through multilateral frameworks such as the European Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
The resurgence of maritime piracy in the Western Indian Ocean Region underscores the necessity for joint security efforts, streamlined legal processes, and enhanced information sharing. Seychelles recognizes Spain's significant role in EUNAVFOR operations and commends its leadership in the chain of command.
The expansion of the EUNAVFOR mandate presents an opportunity to address other illicit maritime activities, including drug trafficking, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and terrorism. Seychelles has pledged to collaborate with the EU to combat these threats to regional peace and stability.The meeting was also attended by the Director of the National Information Sharing Coordination Centre (NISCC) Captain Gerald Wong-Pool and Superintendent Jemmy Bouzin of the Seychelles Police.
The High Commissioner-Designate of the Republic of Mozambique to the Republic of Seychelles Ms. Maria Manuela Dos Santos Lucas paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Charles Fonseka. During this visit, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to concluding the agreement on mutual assistance in criminal matters between the two nations.
The proposed agreement aims to bolster cooperation in criminal justice between Seychelles and Mozambique, including gathering and exchanging evidence, executing requests for search and seizure, and transferring persons in custody for prosecution or testimony. Such measures are expected to enhance collaborative efforts in investigating and prosecuting serious criminal activities, including money laundering, corruption, terrorism, and other severe offenses.
In addition, Seychelles expressed a keen interest in negotiating and finalizing a Transfer of Prisoners Agreement with Mozambique. This agreement would address the transfer and handling of prisoners' requests between the two countries, ensuring a cooperative approach to criminal justice and prisoner management.
Overall, the discussions emphasised the importance of mutual legal assistance and stronger bilateral ties to effectively combat serious crimes and improve judicial cooperation. Also present was the Commissioner of the Seychelles Prisons Services, Mr. Allain St. Ange, Director of the NISCC Cpt Gerald Wong-Pool, Deputy Commissioner of the Seychelles police Mr. Francis Songoire and Chief Immigration Officer Mrs. Erica Dufresnne.
The European Union (EU) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) have signed an agreement to implement the Safe Seas Africa (SSA) programme, aimed at enhancing maritime security in Africa. The signing ceremony took place in Mauritius, with virtual participation from other IOC countries. In Seychelles, the ceremony was held at the Regional Fusion and Law Enforcement Centre for Safety and Security at Sea (REFLECS 3).
The agreement was signed by EU Ambassador Oskar Benedikt and IOC Secretary General Velayoudom Marimoutou. Marimoutou emphasized that the SSA programme will establish a primary maritime safety system, strengthen national capacities, enhance regional coordination, and expand collaboration in Africa and the Indian Ocean. The SSA programme builds on the Maritime Security (MASE) programme and is financed by the EU, covering the western Indian Ocean since 2018.
EU Ambassador Benedikt highlighted the EU's crucial role in strengthening maritime security in the region, addressing threats like piracy, drug trafficking, and overfishing. The SSA programme will involve joint maritime security efforts across the Gulf of Guinea, the western Indian Ocean, and the western Pacific Ocean.
The regional maritime safety architecture, established in 2018, includes agreements on maritime information exchange and state action coordination at sea. This led to the creation of the Maritime Information Fusion Centre (MIFRC) in Madagascar and the Regional Operations Coordination Centre (ROCC) in Seychelles.
IOC President Sylvestre Radegonde noted that the SSA programme will help implement decisions from recent IOC Ministerial Councils and develop national strategies for sufficient maritime capacity. The programme also involves international collaboration for information exchange and sea operations.
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