Seychelles Roundup: Rescued French captain, Sri-Lankan attorney general, €77 million EU grant

Rescued French captain

In a recent maritime incident off the coast of Mahe, Seychelles, a 60-year-old French skipper was rescued after his yacht, Cote Rotie, sank. The operation commenced following an alert from the Centre Régional Opérationnel de Surveillance et de Sauvetage (CROSS) located in Reunion, prompting the deployment of a French military aircraft to locate the skipper's life raft. The coordination involved the Seychelles Defence Forces and local entities, culminating in the skipper's successful retrieval and transportation to Desrosches Island for a medical examination, before being taken to Mahe for further care, Seychelles News Agency reports.

Cultural exchange with South Africa

Seychelles and South Africa are intensifying collaborative efforts to foster cultural exchange and opportunities for artists. This initiative was discussed during the 11th Golden Shield Heritage Awards hosted in Cape Town. A Seychelles delegation, headed by Cecile Kalebi of the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts (SNICHA), addressed the importance of cultural heritage and announced plans for a Heritage Awards event in Seychelles next year, inspired by South Africa's events. According to the state agency, the discussions included the renewal of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Arts Councils of both nations aimed at promoting artistic cooperation.

Sri Lankan-born takes office as Seychelles attorney general

Sri Lankan-born Vincent Perera has officially taken office as the new Attorney General of Seychelles. With his extensive legal qualifications from Sri Lanka, Fiji, and Singapore, Perera intends to focus on alleviating case backlogs and enhancing the operational efficacy of the criminal prosecution service, which is integral in providing legal counsel to the government and managing international treaties. He succeeds Frank Ally, who served in this capacity since 2017, as reported by Seychelles News Agency.

€77 million EU grant for port extension

The European Union (EU) has pledged a substantial grant of €77 million aimed at advancing and modernising Seychelles' Port Victoria. This financial commitment was announced during the inaugural Partnership Dialogue under the Samoa Agreement, held in Victoria on October 17. During the dialogue, issues such as climate change, biodiversity, maritime security, and sustainable economic development were at the forefront. Seychelles' Foreign Affairs Minister Sylvestre Radegonde emphasised regional stability and sustainable development, while EU Ambassador Oskar Benedikt advocated for cooperation in these pursuits. According to the national news agency, both entities highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the Safe Seas Africa programme and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, while also reinforcing the need for increased international support to combat climate-related challenges and biodiversity loss.

US Secret Service training programme

The United States Secret Service conducted a comprehensive two-day training programme for Seychelles' judiciary, focusing on the complexities of digital evidence management. Organised by the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), this training covered key topics including the authentication of digital evidence, the balance of privacy versus security in the digital realm, and the emerging threats posed by AI-altered images. Practical insights on mobile device forensics, cryptocurrency investigations, and courtroom management of digital evidence were crucial components of the training, Seychelles News agency reported.