New high commissioner to South Africa accredited |26 October 2012

During the ceremony, President Zuma addressed the high commissioners and ambassadors gathered and pledged the commitment of South Africa to “constantly focus our energies on engagements that seek to promote issues of common interest and mutual benefit”.

In regard to the bilateral relations with Seychelles, he said South Africa “will continue to work together on all matters that affect our region as we are doing in trying to find a peaceful solution to the Malagasy situation and all other matters affecting the SADC (Southern African Development Community).”

Mr Morel also presented his credential as Seychelles’ permanent representative to Comesa (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) to the secretary general, Sindiso Ngwenya, in a ceremony held in Lusaka, Zambia.

During the ceremony the high commissioner reiterated Seychelles’ commitment to working with the organisation and supporting the process of regional integration.

In addition, he also thanked the secretary general for Comesa’s support to Seychelles’ fight against piracy in the region.

The high commissioner also called on the secretary general to back initiatives to establish a maritime corridor in the region in an effort to boost trade, as well as to support other issues of national importance for small island states like Seychelles, such as climate change.

Mr Morel took up his post in the Seychelles embassy in Pretoria in September this year.