President Wavel Ramkalawan pledges full support to SPDF |06 November 2020

President Ramkalawan is welcomed at the army headquarters by a Guard of Honour (Photo: Joena Meme)

 By Patrick Joubert

President Wavel Ramkalawan has thanked the military for its role played during the election and through the transition of power after the election.

He has also urged more young people to join the force and pledged to give the SPDF his full support for it to develop into a professional force.

President Ramkalawan, in his capacity as the commander in chief of the armed forces, was speaking to the media after a familiarisation visit at the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces headquarters, Bel Eau, yesterday morning.

The aim of his visit was for him to meet the officers and to thank them for the role the army played during the election and during the transition of power after the election.

The visit was also for the President to learn more about the role and function of the SPDF, including its concerns, challenges and priorities.

He was accompanied by Vice-President Ahmed Afif and the Minister for Internal Affairs, Errol Fonseka.

Upon arrival at the army headquarters, President Ramkalawan was welcomed by the Chief of Defence Forces, Colonel Clifford Roseline and the Chief of Staff, Colonel Michael Rosette. He was then saluted by the Guard of Honour before holding discussions with high ranking officers of the SPDF.

“The men and women in the army uniform played a very important role in the transition phase. With that I am satisfied and proud to say that in Seychelles, everything went peacefully, with not a single bullet fired, as compared to other countries like Tanzania and Côte D’Ivoire where they are still facing problems with regards to their elections,” President Ramkalawan said.

President Ramkalawan said that, through the discussions with the officers, he had gained a good perspective of the role and function of the SPDF and also on its needs for further progression.

He noted that the Seychelles Coast Guard and the Seychelles Air Force are in immediate need of some specific items for their operations in the fight against drugs and illegal fishing among other illegal activities in our EEZ.

He said that their concerns will be addressed immediately through the budget allocation following his discussion with the Ministry of Finance.

“I was very happy to learn the way the SPDF is developing to be a professional force. I would like on that note to launch an appeal to our youths to join the force as they will have a career with the SPDF, including a career path progression. We have to take note that the SPDF has people studying to be doctors, while some other officers are doing their masters and degrees in different fields including for military and law and so all of these are signs that should encourage young people to join the force,” President Ramkalawan said, noting that he will give the SPDF his full support for it to develop into a professional force.

With regard to foreign presence on our territory, President Ramkalawan said our country will welcome help from all foreign forces but we will say no to any foreign country wishing to have its military base on any part of our territory.

On behalf of the SPDF, Lieutenant Colonel Jean Atala, the SCG deputy commander and SPDF’s public relations officer, said it was an honour for them to welcome President Ramkalawan on his first visit to the headquarters.

He stated that they had the opportunity to discuss with the President and his delegation on the SPDF’s operations, challenges and the way forward under the new government for continued peace and stability.

“We’ve discussed on how we can work together and stay connected with his office so that we get his support to develop the force further into a professional level,” Lt Col. Atala said stressing on the need for more manpower, especially at the SCG to man the assets.

Commenting on President Ramkalawan’s joy regarding the peaceful transition, Lt Col. Atala said that the SPDF had for a very long time, through its principles with regard to respecting our democracy, been there to serve any government that comes to power.

“We are there to serve the government that comes in power and also to protect our country and its citizens,” Lt Col. Atala said, noting that SPDF is happy with the way the force is now being viewed as a professional force by the state and the people.