Preserve Seychelles lay to rest assumptions on Assomption |24 July 2019

A debriefing session with CEO Savy on Assomption

Three representatives of Preserve Seychelles affirmed on Monday July 22 that there is no indication of foreign military or the construction of an Indian military base on Assomption.

This follows a visit organised by the Islands Development Company (IDC), upon the request of the government.

The representatives of Preserve Seychelles, namely, chairperson Terry Sandapin, Ralph Volcère and Guynemer Antoine Corgat, were invited to visit three outer islands at a cost of between R250,000 to R300,000 to IDC, to shed light on the various speculations on the issue of a military base on Assomption and the presence of the Indian military on the island.

Along with chief executive of IDC Glenny Savy, chairman of the IDC board Patrick Berlouis as well as journalists from media houses, the representatives were flown to Astove following a brief stopover on Alphonse island.

The day comprised a guided tour by CEO Savy around the island where Mr Savy enlightened them on the history of the island, the work carried out by IDC and addressed their queries pertaining to IDC and its operations.

They also interacted with the three Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) officers who man the small military radar facility.

Preserve Seychelles raised concerns regarding the once proposed Indian-military naval facility on Assomption but Mr Savy assured them that the only facility that the government intends to construct is a coastguard base for the SPDF.

Mr Corgat asserted the need to protect the sovereignty of the island nation.

“The government with the Coastguard are looking at the possibility of ensuring a permanent presence of Seychelles Coastguard on Assomption, Farquhar, Coetivy and I requested that they include the Amirantes. In the Amirantes, there is one problem and while it is not so much about illegal activity, it is more a question of security,” Mr Savy stated.

According to him, the area is well frequented by yachts from Mahé and IDC often has to provide assistance as incidents are frequent during peak seasons.

“Assomption is next to the Mozambique Channel and therefore, a tanker lane. When they are this close, it is our responsibility, we have to ensure that nothing goes wrong. Our authorities, with our radar, should be tracking shipping movements,” he said, asserting the necessity for the Seychelles Coastguard facility.

After spending the night on Astove, the group flew over the Cosmoledo Atoll, 35 kilometres north of Astove, then to Assomption island, the focal point of the visit, where they were greeted by two SPDF officers.

Similarly to the previous day, they were guided on a tour of the island including to two military radar systems, one located on the Northern tip of the island and the other located in the village towards the South of the island. As with the facility on Astove, they were informed by military personnel who man the radar in the village that it is used to track shipping movements and communicate the data to Mahé through satellite communication.

They interacted with workers on the island and military personnel and concluded the visit with media interviews before flying back to Mahé.

Asked if IDC has been transparent and accommodated their request to visit whatever part of the island they requested, Mr Volcère of Preserve Seychelles noted that they are satisfied at not having seen any indication of foreign presence on the outer islands.

“In this game, there is not just IDC. It involves IDC, the Seychellois public and politicians. IDC has been transparent, politicians I don’t think have been transparent. The media is here and they will now diffuse the information that needs to be diffused so they can put the minds of the people at rest,” Mr Volcère stated.

He did however express concerns about whether data collected by the radar facilities on the outer islands are being shared with foreign parties.

Mr Sandapin also expressed concerns regarding the radar installations.

Preserve Seychelles will host a press conference to disclose their findings formally. A report will also be produced.

CEO Savy expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the visit stating that “once and for all, we can put this matter to rest”.

“I think that IDC has been totally transparent, it has given the press all the possibilities and Preserve Seychelles, to visit wherever and ask whatever questions. As we have all seen, the allegations are false and we hope that next time, when there are rumors and allegations, they can ask questions and we do not need to spend the money to prove it. I think it was a good trip and everyone is satisfied and most importantly, it is a win win situation for the population as they will know once and for all,” Mr Savy stated with finality.