New appointments in defence forces |03 January 2014

President James Michel has made four new appointments in the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) and presented promotions to a group of senior officers and three who have followed overseas training.

This was during the annual New Year’s Day gathering, which was held at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base, Ile Perseverance.

Addressing the officers in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief, President Michel called on them not to forget that with a promotion comes responsibility, as the defence forces need to lead by example.

“You should redouble your efforts and work hard to consolidate what you have achieved,” he added.

The new acting Commanding Officer of the Seychelles Coast Guard is Simon Dine who was also promoted as Lieutenant Colonel during the ceremony.

The outgoing acting Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel George Adeline, has been appointed as the Senior Naval Staff officer at the Defence Forces Headquarters.

Major Vincent Luther has been appointed as the acting Commandant of the Defence Academy and Major Jean Attala has been appointed General Staff Officer 1 at the Defence Forces Headquarters.

Other officers who have been promoted as Lieutenant Colonel are Major Leslie Benoition, Major Simon Laurencine and Major Simon Antat.

Captains Antonio Gomme, Fernand Laporte, Irenee Pompee, Michael Hollanda and Philip Naiken have been promoted to the rank of Major.

Those who have been promoted as captain are Lieutenant Brian Payet, Lieutenant Rodney Zarine, Lieutenant Achile Mondon and Lieutenant Ivel Ernesta.

Second Lieutenants Dave Mathieu, Patrick Gilbert, Alex Serret, Lyndon Lablache and Naddy Crispin have been promoted as Lieutenants.

President Michel also presented a long-service award to Major Will Rosette, who has served in the SPDF for 32 years and 10 years in the Seychelles Police.

He thanked Mr Rosette for his loyal and dedicated service and wished him well in his retirement, which starts this year.