Ambassador Morel accredited Seychelles’ permanent representative-Seychelles-SADC relations |04 January 2013

He presented his letters of credentials to SADC executive secretary Dr Tomaz Salomao during a ceremony at the regional organisation’s headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, on December 18, 2012.

Ambassador Morel and Dr Salomao exchanged views on the progress in the implementation of the regional economic integration agenda, in particular the establishment of the SADC free-trade area.
 
They acknowledged progress made towards the operationalisation of the SADC regional development fund, a financial mechanism intended to mobilise resources from member states, the private sector, and development partners to finance programmes and projects for regional development and deeper integration.

SADC is also currently engaged in developing a regional infrastructure development master plan which will serve as strategic framework to guide the implementation of infrastructure networks in an integrated and coordinated manner in six sectors, namely energy, ICT, meteorology, tourism, transport and water.
 
The implementation of the SADC maritime piracy strategy and Seychelles’ role within the context of the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (Retosa) were equally raised.

Regarding political and governance issues, the situation in Madagascar was thoroughly discussed.

 Dr Salomao reiterated his appreciation of the role Seychelles continues to play via the presidency of the Indian Ocean Commission in the mediation efforts to bringing back constitutional normalcy, peace and stability to the sister island country.

A SADC mediation team is to travel shortly to Madagascar to meet with all the stakeholders and to engage with them on the implementation of the decisions taken at the extraordinary summit of heads of state and government in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on December 7 and 8 on the electoral process leading to presidential and legislative elections scheduled for May and July 2013 respectively.