The Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Charles Fonseka and the Minister on Land Use & Housing Mr. Billy Rangasamy laid the first bricks to the Bon Espoire High Security Prison on Friday. The Commissioner of the Seychelles Prison Service Mr. Raymond St. Ange highlighted the necessity of better housing for high risk inmates and improved management of offenders which this new prison will address.
During the ceremony the Minister explained the need for appropriate systems in place to help prisoners rehabilitate and undergo positive transformation stating that, “the good deeds by inmates who act responsibly, and positively giving back to community under Project Phoenix will continue and where possible improved upon. Community service activities will increase.”
The first phase of this prison will include administrative block and can accommodate up to 40 inmates.
Present during the ceremony was the Commissioner of the Seychelles Police Mr. Ted Barbe, Attorney General Mr. Frank Ally, Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Infrastructure Agency (SIA) Mr. Jitesh Shah amongst other distinguished guests.
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The Minister of Internal Affairs welcomed the Chargé d’Affaires of Japan to Seychelles H.E Eiji Kato in a farewell courtesy call today. During the meeting the Minister expressed his gratitude towards Ambassador Kato and wished him the very best of luck in his future endeavours. Discussions focused on various subjects in enhancing the diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Minister ended the meeting by presenting a farewell gift to Ambassador Kato.
Ambassador Kato was accompanied by Counsellor Ono Tomoyuki, present in the meeting was also the Executive Director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Mrs. Mastura Shah-Faure and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) representative Ms. Leila Le Hane.
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The Minister paid a visit on the first day of the CUTLASS EXPRESS exercise at the REFLECS3 Center. During his visit the Minister Fonseka greeted the participants and shared words of encouragement for the duration of this exercise. He stated that, “it is our pleasure to host you all for the in for the CUTLASS EXPRESS, I am hopeful that the exercise yields results we can learn from and increase regional cooperation”. The Minister was accompanied by the Director the National Information Sharing & Coordinating Centre (NISCC) & REFLECS3, Captain Gerald Wong Pool and the Director the Regional Co-Ordination Centre (RCOC) Captain Sam Gontier.
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Minister of Internal Affairs Charles Fonseka conducts visits the Seychelles Police Force stations, the Seychelles Fire & Rescue Services (SFRSA) and the Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD Seychelles) on Friday 8th March. The aim of the visit was to establish routine communications between the three departments, to further enhance collaborative work on La Digue.
The Minister highlighted the importance of working together especially on La Digue where the population is smaller and often requires efficient coordination amongst various response teams particularly for search and rescue operations and anti-drug operations.
The Minister was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ted Barbe, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the SFRSA Mr. Jones Madeleine, the Senior Disaster Management Officer of DRMD Mr. Cliff Alissop and received by the District Administrator for La Digue Ms. Barbera Barallon and Liaison Officer for La Digue Mr. Loncey Micock
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The conference was held on 09th to 10th February 2024 under the theme “Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean”. Delegations led by Ministers from over 22 countries participated in this yearly event, with senior officials from 16 countries and 6 multilateral organizations. The conference also saw the participation of 400 social and corporate leaders, policy practitioners, scholars, professionals, and media personnel from 40 countries. The programme comprised of plenary sessions with speakers discussing various issues focusing on maritime security, sustainability and the blue economy.
Minister Fonseka addressed the conference as a speaker on the panel which was discussing the theme of, “Our Blue Future”. During his address, the Minister outlined the importance of the blue economy as a powerful instrument and sustainable model to address challenges. He further emphasized on the intersection of the blue economy and maritime security which is fundamental for regional prosperity and stability.
Minister Fonseka also held bilateral meetings with Dr. Jung Pak, the United Sates Deputy Secretary for Multilateral Affairs, Mr. Tim Watts, Assistant Foreign Minister of Australia and Professor Velayoudom Marimoutou, the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission.
There was mutual agreement on the need to collaborate and promote maritime security within the Indian Ocean on account of the existing and re-emerging threats which poses a risk to regional and economic stability. This also encompasses the need to address the broad spectrum of illegal maritime activities so as to ensure that sea lines of communications essential for economic and food security remain unhindered.
In his address during the Conference, Professor Velayoudom Marimoutou, the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission, touched on the importance of the two regional centres; the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) based in Madagascar and the Regional Centre for Operational Coordination (RCOC), based in Seychelles in terms of joint surveillance missions, crucial to the security of South Est Indian Ocean; pledging the following as he prepares to hand-over the leadership of IOC to Seychelles in May 2024. “Currently, we are focused on the Western Indian Ocean, but we can easily expand to the rest of the ocean and beyond by creating a network with other initiatives and mechanisms.”
During his visit to Australia, the Minister also had the opportunity to meet with the Regional Director of West Australia for Home Affairs, Ms. Samantha Patuto, and discussed topics of border control and security. The Minister also visited the Australian Border Force ports & airport facilities.
The Minister was accompanied by Captain Gerald Wong-Pool, Director of the National Information Sharing & Coordination Centre (NISCC) and Regional Fusion & Law Enforcement Centre for Safety & Security at Sea (REFLECS3).
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The Immigration & Civil Status Department hosted its’ fourth oath of allegiance ceremony, at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During the ceremony ten people received their Seychellois citizenship after meeting the requirements and completing the citizenship process.
The Minister addressed the group stating that, “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 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 was also assisted by the Principal Secretary of the Immigration & Civil Status Department Mr. Allain Volcere, who lead the group in reciting the oath in unison
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The Minister for Internal Affairs Mr. Charles E. Fonseka attended the Prison Service Week ceremony at Montagne Posee Prison yesterday afternoon. The Seychelles Prison Service (SPS) recognized employees for their exceptional work and confirmed new recruits into posts. The event also recognized retiring and departed staff of the SPS. Minister Fonseka and the Commissioner of Prisons Mr. Raymond St Ange, cut the ribbon to a new recreational room equipped with a Play Station 4 console for inmates who demonstrate good behavior.
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