Last week, the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Seychelles, His Excellency Dr. Roberto Natali, engaged in a productive discussion with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka. The focal point of their meeting was the ongoing operations of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) aimed at combating crimes at sea, particularly drug trafficking and bolstering maritime security.

Ambassador Natali extended a helping hand by offering support for capacity building within Seychelles' law enforcement agencies. This gesture underscores Italy's commitment to fostering stronger partnerships in the realm of maritime security.

Principal Secretary of the Immigration & Civil Status Department  Allian Volcere elaborated on Seychelles' cutting-edge Border Control tool, the Seychelles Electronic Border System, and proposed the introduction of Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (ANP/PNR) sharing to enhance security measures further.

Minister Fonseka commended Italy for assuming command of EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA’s Force on March 14, 2024. Italy's integration of ships into the operation for extended periods, serving as flagships of ATALANTA 2, underscores its active role in the European Union's maritime security efforts in the region.

The expanded mandate of EUNAVFOR presents an opportunity to address a broader spectrum of illicit maritime activities jeopardizing peace and stability, including drug trafficking, Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and terrorism. Seychelles has pledged its commitment to collaborating with the EU to combat these illicit activities.

Seychelles expressed its sincere appreciation for Italy's continued active participation through mechanisms like EUNAVFOR, ensuring that maritime spaces remain secure and stable. Such collaborative efforts are crucial for facilitating socio-economic activities that benefit all stakeholders in the region. Also present in the meeting was the Assistant Commissioner of the Seychelles Police Mr. Ned Wirtz and Executive Director in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Minister's Secretariat, Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure.

The Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Charles Fonseka recently engaged in a diplomatic courtesy call with His Excellency Mr. Isaac Njenga Gatitu High Commissioner-Designate Of Kenya. The meeting, held in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, saw both parties discussing critical areas of collaboration between the two nations.

At the heart of the discussion were matters pertaining to maritime security, immigration and border control, law enforcement capacity building, prisoner extradition treaty, and the enhancement of bilateral relations. Both Seychelles and Kenya recognize the importance of bolstering these areas to ensure the safety and stability of their respective territories and the broader region.

Maritime security emerged as a focal point, reflecting the shared concern over the challenges posed by maritime threats such as piracy and illegal fishing. Strengthening cooperation in this domain is crucial for safeguarding the maritime interests of both nations and promoting the sustainable use of marine resources.

Furthermore, discussions on immigration and border control underscored the commitment of Seychelles and Kenya to manage their borders effectively while facilitating legitimate travel and trade. Collaboration in this area includes information sharing, capacity building, and the implementation of best practices to address common challenges.

Law enforcement capacity building emerged as another key agenda item, with both parties expressing a commitment to enhancing the capabilities of their respective law enforcement agencies. This includes training programs, technology transfer, and institutional cooperation aimed at combating transnational crime and ensuring public safety.

The exploration of a prisoner extradition treaty highlights the determination of Seychelles and Kenya to cooperate in the administration of justice and the fight against impunity. Such a treaty would facilitate the extradition of individuals accused or convicted of crimes, thereby strengthening the rule of law and fostering trust between the two nations.

Overall, the courtesy call between the Minister of Internal Affairs Seychelles and the High Commissioner of Kenya to Seychelles served as a platform to reaffirm the strong ties between the two countries and to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration. By addressing shared challenges and leveraging their respective strengths, Seychelles and Kenya are poised to enhance regional security and advance their common interests.

In a heart-warming celebration, the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency(SFRSA) commemorated the 10th anniversary of its fire station on La Digue. The milestone event, attended by esteemed dignitaries including the Minister of Internal Affairs, served as a testament to a decade of unwavering dedication and service to the community.

The Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Charles Fonseka delivered words of encouragement, acknowledging the invaluable contributions of the fire station personnel in ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and visitors alike. Expressing heartfelt appreciation for their commitment, the Minister also presented a  token of gratitude  to the officers of the La Digue Station.

Highlighting the significance of long-term service and commitment, the ceremony saw the presentation of long service awards to deserving officers who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and professionalism over the years. These awards not only honored individual achievements but also underscored the collective spirit of camaraderie and excellence within the SFRSA.

In a heartfelt ceremony held at the International Conference Centre this morning, the Minister of Internal Affairs, honored the unwavering dedication and commitment of the nation's firefighters. The event, specifically dedicated to recognizing long service and promotion within the esteemed ranks of the service, underscored the invaluable contributions of these brave men and women. The Minister presented the long service award to Leading Firefighter Elvis Marimba, who retired this year after serving for 37 years.

 Addressing the room, the Minister praised the selfless sacrifices made by firefighters in safeguarding lives and property, often at great personal risk. Their tireless efforts, he emphasized, exemplifies the essence of public service and embodies the spirit of community resilience.the Minister called upon the people of Seychelles, to recognise the invaluable service our firefighters provide and to thank these brave individuals who willingly tread into perilous situations to protect us all.

Several firefighters were honored for their long-standing commitment to duty, some having served for decades, demonstrating a steadfast resolve to protect and serve the Seychellois community. Additionally, commendations were bestowed upon those who had been promoted from junior firefighters to full-fledged firefighters, recognizing their exemplary dedication to furthering the mission of the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services(SFRSA).

The First Ministerial Conference on Drug Trafficking and Substance Abuse was held from 24th April to 25th April 2024 which consisted of a Senior Officials meeting subsequently followed by the Ministerial meeting.

Seychelles was represented by a delegation consisting of Minister Charles Fonseka, the Minister for Internal Affairs, Minister Peggy Vidot, the Minister for Health and Minister Patricia Francourt, the Minister for Employment and Social Affairs, and other senior officials.

The conference was organized with the aim of “providing a platform for high level policy dialogue to forge collective action for improving the Wester Indian Oceans (WIO) capabilities to deal with the demand and supply side challenges related to illicit drug trafficking”.

The main discussions of the conference where on the adoption of a Regional Strategy Against Drug Trafficking and Substance Abuse, the setting up of a network of leading national agencies coordinating drug response and the establishment of a Regional Drug Observatory.

The strategy has two main goals: reducing drug demand and curbing drug supply in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.

1. Reducing Drug Demand: This involves enhancing the capabilities of WIO states in drug prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. It focuses on two pillars:

• Pillar 1: Improving prevention through citizen education and stakeholder training.
• Pillar 2: Enhancing health and social services by developing better treatment and rehabilitation options.

2. Curbing Drug Supply: This goal involves strengthening regional and international cooperation to disrupt drug supply chains. It also has two pillars:

• Pillar 3: Disrupting drug supply chains by tracking traffickers and their networks, monitoring financial flows, and fostering cooperation among WIO countries.
• Pillar 4: Expanding partnerships and establishing a network of national drug agencies supported by a regional observatory.

Overall, the strategy aims to address the challenges of drug trafficking and substance abuse in the WIO region, promoting security, stability, and well-being

During his intervention, Minister Fonseka outlined the various threats interconnected with illegal drug trafficking which Seychelles is facing such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and the need to address these issues. He also emphasized on the urgent need of burden sharing within the regional member states.

In her intervention, Minister Vidot ensured that as Seychelles develops its new Strategy Against Substance abuse, it would ensure that its own strategy aligns with the Regional Strategy which is being developed. She also outlined the various initiatives which were being undertaken at national level and that collaboration between ministries have been giving clear result. It was also noted that Seychelles would continue to strengthen evidence-based programmes and work with regional partners to increase results in this area.

In Minster Francourt’s intervention, she outlined the various efforts which Seychelles have been undertaking in the fight against illegal narcotics and that Seychelles has been one of the countries that have been at the forefront of this fight regionally. Seychelles contribution to regional architectures was emphasized and on this basis. Minister Francourt informed the conference of Seychelles willingness to host the Regional Drugs Observatory which was expected to be set up as per the Regional Strategy Against Drug Trafficking and Substance Abuse.

During the conference, the commitment of the international community towards helping the region in combatting this serious threat and issue was reiterated by the various representatives of non-regional states and international organisations. Through the collaborative efforts outlined in this strategy, stakeholders aim to address the multifaceted challenges posed by drug trafficking and substance abuse in the WIO region, promoting greater security, stability, and well-being for its’ inhabitants.

The Minister of Internal Affairs Charles Fonseka convened a significant session with a distinguished delegation hailing from the Barbados Immigration Department. Ms. Denise Bullock, a prominent figure within the Barbados Immigration Department, led the delegation, accompanied by Ms. Sherry Best, equally distinguished in her role, along with the esteemed presence of Mr. Neville Wint from the Joint Regional Communications Center.

Discussions were anchored around the Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS), tracing its’ remarkable journey from a health tool to a border management system. Deliberations were multifaceted, delving into innovative strategies aimed at enhancing security measures and optimizing the immigration procedures. This meeting served as an opportunity for the exchange of operational insights, fostering a spirit of mutual advancement and collaborative synergy.

Minister Fonseka elaborated the pivotal role SEBS plays in law enforcement, clarifying its’ role in promptly identifying persons of interests and hindering criminal activities right at the border's edge. In turn, the Barbadian delegation praised Seychelles for its commendable utilization of technology in border control, particularly noting the seamless processing of passengers through immigration and customs—a testament to Seychelles' commitment to excellence in frontier management.