Sir James Mancham re-elected member of Comesa’s Committee of Elders |31 March 2015

The government of Seychelles has offered its deep-felt congratulations to former President Sir James Mancham, following his re-election for a second term as a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Committee of Elders.

This was during the 14th meeting of the Comesa ministers for foreign affairs held on March 28, 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The meeting precedes the 34th Summit of Comesa Authority of heads of state, which is being held on March 30-31, 2015.

Established by the Comesa ministers for foreign affairs, the Comesa Committee of Elders has a crucial role of preventive diplomacy on issues of peace, security and stability, as fundamental pre-requisite for the attainment of sustainable development in the Comesa region and beyond.

“Sir James’ election as a member of this high profile organ of Comesa is not only well deserved, but is also a source of immense pride and honour to the people of Seychelles,” the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Transport said in a statement.

Sir James was first elected in 2011 for a four-year term, which ended in September 2014, where he was then invited to stand once again.

Sir James secured the highest number of votes among the nominees standing for election, followed by candidates from Egypt, Zimbabwe and Uganda.

During his first term, Sir James was part of the team that was deployed to Egypt in 2011, following the revolution. He has also led the mission that was deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, following the M23 crisis in the Great Lakes Region. Among his many accolades, Sir James has also been awarded the Trophy of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa for Promotion of Peace, Reconciliation and Prosperity in Africa in 2000, and he has acted as the designated Ambassador for Peace by the International Federation for World Peace in 2001.

“The government is confident that Sir James will continue to represent the country effectively in this important regional assignment and through him, Seychelles pledges to use this position to work with fellow member states in fostering peace, stability and unity, in making the Comesa region a prosperous and better place to live in,” said the statement.

Seychelles was represented at the meeting by Ambassador Barry Faure, secretary of state for Foreign Affairs and Transport; Ambassador Claude Morel, accredited to Comesa; Ambassador Joseph Nourrice, resident ambassador to Ethiopia and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Transport.