The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka, led a high-level delegation on an official visit to the Bonne Espoire High Security Prison on Tuesday, 15th July 2025. He was joined by the Minister of Employment and Social Affairs, Mrs. Patricia Francourt, the Commissioner of Seychelles Prison Services (SPS), Mrs. Janet George, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ted Barbe.
The visit showcased the final stages of completion of the new high-security facility, which is scheduled to open at the end of July 2025. Once operational, the prison will accommodate up to 20 high-risk inmates in its initial phase, with future expansion planned.
This development marks a significant milestone in Seychelles’ correctional system. The facility introduces a structured approach to inmate classification and separation based on risk levels, enhancing security and improving rehabilitation and management practices. The design includes wheelchair-accessible cells, visitor rooms, and scheduled outdoor time to support inmates’ wellbeing.
Following the tour, the delegation held discussions with the SPS leadership team, focusing on strengthening inter-ministerial collaboration, particularly in the area of rehabilitation and reintegration. These programmes aim to provide inmates with vocational training, education, and psychosocial support to prepare them for successful reintegration into society.
Minister Francourt emphasized, “The partnership between our Ministries is essential. Rehabilitation and reintegration require coordinated efforts, especially in preparing inmates for life beyond prison.”
Minister Fonseka added, “By working closely with Seychelles Prison Services, we can implement systems that not only maintain security but also give inmates a real opportunity for reform and reintegration.”
Commissioner of Police Mr. Ted Barbe also expressed his support, highlighting the importance of secure and rehabilitative correctional environments in maintaining national safety and social cohesion.
The Seychelles Citizen Corridor is Officially Open!
On 4th July 2025, the Seychelles Citizens Corridor was officially launched at the Seychelles International Airport a major step forward in enhancing the arrival experience for Seychellois citizens and accredited diplomats.
The launch began with a press conference where key stakeholders outlined the project’s technical features and benefits, including faster clearance times, reduced congestion, and a more seamless welcome home for our citizens.
The event featured remarks by the Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka, who highlighted the government’s vision to modernize border services. In his address, he stated:
“The Citizen Corridor is a contactless border clearance procedure which catapults Seychelles to the forefront of travel facilitation in the African region... Citizens will bypass immigration counters as all verification is completed ahead of their arrival.”
The symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Minister Fonseka and Minister for Transport, Mr. Anthony Derjacques, followed by a live demonstration by Immigration Officers showcasing how the corridor works with automated checks, dedicated signage, and prioritized access.
This achievement reflects strong collaboration across agencies including Immigration, Customs, Police, Health, and the Seychelles Airports Authority, and builds on the success of the Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS).
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all partners and stakeholders who made this vision a reality.
The Citizens Corridor is more than a project it is a promise to our people for faster, smarter, and citizen-focused public service.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs officially inaugurated the St. Louis Hill Stabilisation Project on Friday 27th June 2025, during a ceremony held at the St. Louis Community Centre. The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, together with the Minister for Lands and Housing, Mr. Billy Rangasamy, and the Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Ms. Rose-Marie Hoareau. Also present were senior officials, technical partners, and members of the local community.
The St. Louis Hill Stabilisation Project was launched in direct response to the devastating rains of December 2023, which caused widespread slope instability in several parts of Mahé. The St. Louis area, identified as one of the most vulnerable zones, was prioritised for intervention to protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka, highlighted the government’s continued efforts to address high-risk areas across the country. He underscored the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure and strengthening national capacity to respond to climate-induced hazards.
A standout feature of this project was the integration of advanced stabilisation techniques, introduced following a technical training mission to Switzerland in March 2025. A multidisciplinary team of Seychellois professionals from the Department of Risk and Disaster Management, Seychelles Infrastructure Agency, Planning Authority, and PetroSeychelles benefited from the mission and applied the acquired knowledge directly to the St. Louis project.
The inauguration not only marked the completion of a vital infrastructure initiative, but also celebrated the collaboration between institutions and the growing technical expertise within the country. The project serves as a model for future interventions in other landslide-prone areas across Seychelles.
The Minister of Internal Affairs recently conducted a site visit to the St. Louis Stabilisation Project, a vital national initiative aimed at strengthening slope stability and safeguarding infrastructure and nearby communities in the St. Louis area. The project is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing resilience against environmental risks, particularly in vulnerable zones.
During the visit, the Minister was briefed on the progress of the project and commended the coordinated efforts of the team on-site. A key highlight was his meeting with the group of Seychellois professionals who u derwent specialised training in Switzerland. These individuals are now actively applying the stabilisation techniques and technical knowledge they acquired overseas directly to the St. Louis site.
The local team is composed of representatives from the Seychelles Infrastructure Agency (SIA), the Seychelles Planning Authority, the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) and Mr. Jean-Luc Mondon from Petro Seychelles. Their involvement reflects a strong inter-agency collaboration and a national push toward building in-country expertise to handle complex environmental engineering tasks.
The Minister expressed his pride in the team's dedication and professionalism, underscoring the importance of equipping Seychellois with world-class knowledge and tools. He noted that such capacity-building initiatives not only benefit the current project but also strengthen the country’s long-term ability to manage similar challenges.
“This project is a clear example of how investment in our people yields results. We are seeing modern techniques being implemented by Seychellois, for Seychelles. This is a sustainable model we aim to continue across the board,” the Minister stated.
The St. Louis Stabilisation Project is progressing steadily and is expected to serve as a model for future slope and infrastructure resilience efforts across the country.
H.E. Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, High Commissioner-designate of the Republic of Rwanda to Seychelles, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Internal Affairs Mr. Charles Fonseka during his official accreditation visit.
During the meeting, the Minister extended warm congratulations to H.E. Gen Nyamvumba on his new appointment and welcomed him to Seychelles. The Minister reaffirmed the strong and friendly relations between Seychelles and Rwanda.
Discussions during the courtesy call revolved around deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of law enforcement, prison management, and cybersecurity areas of high priority for the Government of Seychelles. Both parties explored ways to enhance capacity building and technical exchange in these critical sectors.
The Minister emphasized Seychelles' keen interest in developing stronger capabilities in cybersecurity, given the increasing digital threats faced globally. Rwanda’s experience and advancements in this field present valuable opportunities for knowledge-sharing and technical collaboration.
A key highlight of the meeting was the ongoing police cooperation between the Seychelles Police Force and the Rwanda National Police, formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in June 2023. The MoU provides a framework for cooperation in combating transnational crimes such as terrorism, cybercrime, drug and human trafficking, and includes training in crime intelligence and investigation. The courtesy call concluded with a reaffirmation of both countries’ commitment to further deepening cooperation and exploring new areas of mutual interest for the benefit of their respective nations. The Meeting was also attended by the Deputy Commissioner Police Francis Songoire and Chief Immigration Officer Erica Dufresnne
The Ministry of Internal Affairs held its first Oath of Allegiance ceremony for the year 2025 , marking a heartfelt moment of national pride and new beginnings for 9 individuals who have successfully fulfilled the requirements to be granted Seychellois citizenship.
The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Allain Volcère, Principal Secretary for the Immigration Department, and the Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka, who congratulated the new citizens. In his remarks, Minister Fonseka urged them to embrace their responsibilities and play an active role in contributing to the country's continued development.
This ceremony reflects the Ministry’s commitment to inclusivity, national unity, and the upholding of Seychelles' immigration and citizenship laws.
The new citizens are:
1. Ms Christina Rosety BOODOO
2. Mr Vijay Anand BALASUBRAMANIAN
3. Mr Vijay Anand BALASUBRAMANIAN
4. Mr Reydel Enrique DELIS PEREZ
5. Mr Duane Laurence HILL
6. Mrs Marie Kristel Queensly FANCHETTE
7. Mr Marc Roy GOLDSTEIN
8. Mrs Mwanasiti Hamisi JULES
9. Mr John Aubrey DE SOUZA
10. Mrs Monique KABOTO
11. Mr Muhammad Danyal SALEY
Seychelles has proudly represented the interests of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the High-Level Policy Forum on Accelerated Financing for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), held in Oslo from 25–26 March 2025.
Led by the Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr. Charles Fonseka alongside the Executive Director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure and the Chief Risk Management Officer of the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD), Mr. Daniel Cetoupe Seychelles made a compelling case for flexible, inclusive, and sustainable DRR financing tailored to the unique vulnerabilities of SIDS.
In his keynote panel address, the Minister highlighted:
• Seychelles’ multi-dimensional risk landscape
• The nation’s coastal vulnerabilities and economic reliance on tourism
• Integration of DRR measures such as coastal restoration and critical infrastructure resilience
• A broadened “basket of risks” approach — including natural hazards, cyber threats, and trafficking issues
He stressed the importance of building domestic capacity and reducing reliance on Official Development Assistance (ODA), while calling for enhanced international support.
During Panel 5: Financing for Development, Mr. Daniel Cetoupe, Chief Risk Management Officer, emphasized:
• The need for adaptable and sustainable financing frameworks
• Funding mechanisms that reflect the diversity and realities of SIDS
• Harmonisation of DRR frameworks for long-term impact
Seychelles also secured promising bilateral engagements with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the World Bank, resulting in commitments to:
• Establish a National Disaster Loss Data Tracking System
• Develop a Resource Mobilisation Strategy for the DRR Strategy (2021–2030)
• Provide technical and financial support for the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC)
These outcomes mark a significant step forward in advancing Seychelles’ national resilience agenda and commitment to coordinated, sustainable DRR financing.
Next Steps:
Seychelles will be working closely with its partners to finalise cooperation terms, accelerate the Resource Mobilisation Strategy, and prepare concept documents for the NEOC financing framework.
- Strengthening Cyber Resilience Through Collaboration
- Seychelles Advocates for Stronger Maritime Cooperation at the 8th Indian Ocean Conference
- Courtesy Call Between Minister of Internal Affairs and Japan's Resident Ambassador
- 🎄 Minister of Internal Affairs Annual Christmas Visits – Honoring Our Emergency and Security Personnel 🎄
- Ministry of Internal Affairs Hosts Final Oath of Allegiance Ceremony for 2024