Seychelles committed to security

Country due to take control of East African Standby Force. 

Seychelles Vice President at AU Summit: committed to collective security in Africa

By: Hajira Amla

(Seychelles News Agency) – The Vice President of the Seychelles, Danny Faure, has said that the Indian Ocean island archipelago is wholeheartedly committed to the ideals of collective security for the African continent, according to a press statement issued on Sunday.

Representing the Seychelles President, James Michel, at the African Union’s 24th Heads of State Summit held in Addis Ababa last Friday and Saturday, Faure said that although Seychelles, with its population of only 90,000 people, was the AU’s smallest member, it still had a meaningful contribution to make for the peace and prosperity of Africa given its pivotal role in combating piracy around the Horn of Africa.

“Seychelles rejects all forms of intolerance represented by groups such as Boko Haram or Al Shabab. We must use our collective security institutions to ensure that these groups do not hold the peace and prosperity of our continent hostage,” said the Vice President at a security briefing held at the summit.

“While we are not a country that has battalions to commit, we commit ourselves without reservation to the ideal of collective security.”

Seychelles will be taking chairmanship of the East African Standby Force (EASF), and has already committed military personnel and a refuelling tanker to aid security operations in the region.

“A secure oceanic space is an essential component of a secure region,” said Vice President Faure, explaining that the island nation had achieved a great deal towards maritime security off the east coast of Africa by working with regional partners for intelligence sharing.

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Source: seychellesnewsagency.com