SEYCHELLES CONGRATULATES SOUTH AFRICA ON CHAIRMANSHIP OF AU COMMISSION

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

16.07.2012

Following the election for the Office of Chairperson of the African Union Commission, won by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma of the Republic of South Africa, President James Michel has conveyed the heartfelt congratulations of the Seychelles Government and people to President Zuma and the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa.
“The election of Dr. Zuma is a great moment for all of Africa, and Seychelles is proud, as a SADC country to have supported South Africa’s candidate”, President Michel has stated.
The election of Dr. Zuma was finalised late in the evening of 15th August with four rounds of voting before Dr. Zuma’s election was confirmed.
President Michel has also sent a message of appreciation to Dr. Jean Ping, the outgoing Chairman of the Commission, for his outstanding contribution to African development, peace and prosperity during his term of office and has expressed confidence that he will continue to be an exceptional advocate for Africa.
The Seychelles delegation has also conveyed its warmest congratulations to Mr. Erastus Mwencha, proposed by Kenya, who has been re-elected unopposed and unanimously as the Vice-Chair of the Commission.
It is to be noted, that the Executive Council of the Summit (The Council of Ministers), will now proceed to the election of the various commissioners of the Union.  Seychelles had presented the candidature of Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd for the post of Commissioner of Social Affairs, however the Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs has explained, that for personal reasons, Ambassador Lloyd’s has withdrawn her candidature.

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PRESIDENT MICHEL MEETS PRESIDENT ZUMA IN MARGINS OF AU SUMMIT

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE

16.07.2012

Seychelles and South Africa look to form maritime development and tourism partnership 

President James Michel and his South African counterpart, President Jacob Zuma, have held bilateral discussions in the margins of the 19th Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President Michel has hailed South Africa as a key player to ensure the development of the blue economy in the Southern Indian Ocean, and the two countries are looking to develop a maritime partnership based on shared security, development of ports and maritime trade as well as further enhancing tourism based development in the region.
President Michel thanked President Zuma for his leadership within SADC, and for his support for the principle of specific infrastructure projects that are aimed to benefit the maritime and island member states.
“We appreciate the support of South Africa for the principle that we, as Africans, need to give more attention to our oceans as spaces for development.  African islands such as Seychelles can play a key role in this development”, President Michel has stated.
President Michel also reiterated the support for South Africa’s bid for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission prior to the election:  “In view of the need for more attention for oceanic development within Africa, the support of African islands for South Africa in this context is logical”, President Michel remarked.  Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, who was proposed as South Africa’s candidate did go on to win the vote and President Michel has communicated his congratulations to President Zuma and the Government of the Republic of South Africa.
The two presidents also discussed the challenge posed by the scourge of piracy and they both determined to increase the cooperation between the two countries on this matter with a view to enhancing the capacity of African states to provide security in their own waters.
The two leaders also discussed the ongoing efforts to bring stability to Madagascar in the context of the implementation of the SADC roadmap.  President Michel thanked President Zuma for South Africa’s dynamic leadership at the head of the SADC Troika on Peace and Security and overseeing the mediation process on this issue, while President Zuma also noted that the IOC should play an important role as an organisation of proximity to Madagascar.  President Michel reiterated the support of the Indian Ocean Commission for the implementation of the roadmap and stated that the IOC was willing to provide support in any way possible for the way forward.  It is noted that Seychelles currently holds the presidency of the IOC.  The two leaders agreed to maintain a high level of consultation on this issue and to move as quickly as possible to a resolution of the situation as the socio-economic conditions in Madagascar continue to worsen.
President Michel is leading the Seychelles delegation to the African Union Summit, following Seychelles’ return to the organisation after regularising its arrears with the organisation at the end of 2010.

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PRESIDENT MICHEL APPEALS TO PRESIDENT OF SOMALIA ON SITUATION OF ROLLY TAMBARA AND MARC SONGOIRE

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE
 16.07.2012



President James Michel has met with the President of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, President Sharif Sheik Ahmed in the margins of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, to make a plea for the release of the two Seychellois hostages still held in Somalia, Rolly Tambara and Marc Songoire.
In the meeting, President Michel recalled the appeals that Seychelles has been making in all quarters for the rapid release on the Seychellois hostages, and asked President Sharif to add his weight to the efforts being undertaken.  President Michel stated that in view of the progress being made in Somalia to build stability, he was seeking the strengthening of efforts by the TFG to be able to assist with their release since negotiations with the pirate groups were taking much too long.
President Michel highlighted the pain felt by the families of the two innocent fishermen who have been deprived of their freedom.  The President also reiterated to the Somali President that resolution of issues such as this reflected on the ability of Somalia to move forward towards stability and development and urged him to do his utmost to solve the situation.
President Sharif responded that he would do the maximum possible to try and achieve a resolution to the problem, while also noting the serious concerns that continue to exist in terms of the security situation in Somalia.  He briefed the Seychelles delegation on the latest developments in Somalia, and thanked the delegation for its support in relation to the ongoing efforts being made to improve the stability in Somalia and achieve a sustainable solution.  In view of Seychelles’ international leadership in terms of the fight against piracy, he also stated that his government was making serious efforts to address this issue, and asked for Seychelles’ assistance in continuing to sensitise the international community with regards to the needs of the TFG to improve its capacity in this sector.
Seychelles made an appeal to all world leaders last year for improved coordination of the efforts to stabilise Somalia and fight piracy, and following the London Conference on Somalia in February 2012, it was noted that great strides were being made to improve the situation in Somalia itself.
President Michel welcomed the adoption of a new draft constitution for Somalia on 23rd June this year, and stated that the world was looking forward to its adoption following the necessary internal procedures as a framework for enhancing stability.  He also welcomed efforts personally led by President Sharif to improve the coordination among different Somali authorities as illustrated by the signing of the Dubai Charter earlier this month, strengthening cooperation between the TFG and the region of Somaliland.
The Seychelles Government has been working on a number of fronts to achieve the liberation of Marc Songoire and Rolly Tambara, including through the High Level Committee on Piracy and its negotiating team, as well as in depth diplomatic efforts with international and regional partners.

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PRESS RELEASE
 16.07.2012

ITS ISLANDS- PRESIDENT MICHEL CALLS ON AFRICAN STATES TO MOBILISE POWER OF ITS OCEANS THROUGH ITS ISLANDS “WE ARE THE JEWELS IN THE CROWN OF AFRICA”

In his remarks to the 19th Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, President James Michel has called for more attention to be given to Africa’s ocean and its islands, adding that problems such as piracy came about because of Africa’s lack of capacity, and political will to secure this oceanic space.
“It is time that Africa redefines its relationship with its oceans. Our oceanic space is currently not given enough attention. Piracy profits from the fact that we, as African Governments, have not done enough to secure this developmental space”, the President remarked.
The President added that while most efforts for regional and continental integration had brought about tangible infrastructure in terms of roads or bridges, there was not enough done to connect Africa through its oceans, and its islands, the guardians of these maritime highways.
“We will not succeed fully …… if we fail to harness the true potential of our oceans to connect us: to connect us with each other, and to connect us to other continents.  Africa’s islands are critical to facilitate these connections.”
The President said that the potential of Africa’s ocean was boundless, but in the majority this wealth was exploited by external parties: “It is OUR wealth.  We must work together to ensure that we are the ones to mobilise it for the benefit of our children”.  The President cited the example of the recent ground breaking agreement between Seychelles and Mauritius on a shared extended continental shelf as an illustration of states working together to mobilize the true potential of the Blue economy.
The Seychelles delegation also took the opportunity to call for an acceleration of the process to resolve the crisis in Madagascar through full implementation of the SADC Roadmap.  As chair of the Indian Ocean Commission, President Michel called on all partners to strengthen the support to Madagascar to prepare the way for free and fair elections to mark the conclusion of the crisis.
The President stated that Seychelles was seizing the moment to re-engage with the African Union, to contribute towards a second liberation for Africa- that of ‘true economic liberation’.  As part of this process, the Seychelles government has announced its decision to open an Embassy in Addis Ababa.


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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

05.07.2012

NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL MEETING

President James Michel chaired the 5^th meeting of the National Economic Council at State House this morning.

The Council continued to address strategies for maximising Government revenue by ensuring that revenue from tourism and other activities enter the Seychelles economy and that taxes due are collected efficiently.

The Council urged private sector organisations to contribute more actively to community development through their program of social corporate responsibility.

The Council was briefed on the factors affecting the price fuel on the local market as well as SEYPEC’s strategy for importing, stocking and distributing fuel and LPG in the most cost effective manner.

The Council discussed the employment situation and the need to strengthen the Human Resource Development capacity of the country to localise as many posts as possible. The need for accurate national statistics and the forthcoming Household Budget Survey were also discussed.

Strategies to tackle the problem of traffic congestion as well as policy options to ease the situation were raised.

The Council meets monthly to advise Government on strategies for the public and private sectors to work together for national economic development.

Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development

Press Release

10^th July 2012

MLHRD holds second Job Fair on Praslin

The Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development has organized its second ‘Job Fair’, on Friday 6^th July 2012, this time on Praslin Island. The fair was held on the basketball court outside the Baie Ste Anne Community centre.

The fair saw the participation of some eighteen organizations displaying over one hundred vacancies available on the island. Vacancies range from hotel positions to Police Officers and SCAA Security to Cabin Crews.

The Minister of Labour and Human Resource Development, Idith Alexander along with high level officials of the ministry visited the ‘Job Fair’ and interacted with the employers and jobseekers present.

“The aim of the Job Fairs is for our ministry to remain connected with the employers and also facilitate job seekers from the island who are in search of employment…..our youth and students who are future job seekers to know the job market demand to make well informed choices when choosing a career at the end of their studies…” said Minister Alexander.

 It is to be noted that some organizations expressed disappointment in the number of visitors who have shown interest to apply for the available vacancies. Their concern were over the number of unemployed Praslinois versus vacancies, but yet minimum application and interest were observed in the Job Fair.

At close of the fair, some one hundred and fifty one applications had been filled for the different available positions.

After visiting the job fair on Praslin, the Minister conducted her first visit to the Ministry’s outstation office on La Digue to meet with staff.    She then proceeded to conduct a familiarisation visit at the Domaine de L’Orangerie, an activity featuring high on her agenda to consolidate good partnership with the private sector. 

The visits to workplaces also allow the Minister to meet with the workers in their work environment and hear firsthand of their concerns.  After the tour the Minister met with the General Manager and his management team.  Amongst issues discussed were training plan for succession purposes, working hours, internal dispute resolution procedure.   

The General Manager has agreed to action on issues requiring immediate attention.  The Ministry will follow-up closely with the hotel until all have been resolved.  The Ministry has also committed to work closely with the Human Resources Manager to put in place and improve on procedures for better industrial relations.