Letter to the Editor - Making assumptions about Assomption |15 March 2018

With ongoing discussions in Seychelles on the benefits or ‘doability’ of a maritime security facility on the island of Assomption, it was for me a pleasure and a privilege to be witness and in conversation with the public who attended and voiced their concerns at the consultation sessions.  The interaction and lively discussion to and fro is further proof of how strong and resilient our democracy is in this Third Republic.

Someone once told me that indeed one is entitled to their own personal opinions however not to their own personal facts. 

As regards the proposed, and I will add visionary and needed facility on our island of Assomption, such a facility in my mind, and without adding “personal facts”, is something which will add positives in our development as a nation.  After all, becoming better at something and applying new best practices continues to be the way forward.

Maritime domain awareness opens up the possibility as we address our resource and capability, to better understand and react to maritime pollution and illegal dumping, but as well illegal criminal activities in that corridor of our EEZ, which includes preventing or deterring the disastrous effects of IUU fishing, and narcotics trafficking.   

As some argue sovereignty concerns, or the fact that Seychelles wants to engage with India as a reason not to have this facility, we should understand that reacting and walking away out of fear or distrust or the confusion that some are attempting to cause, has the potential to impact our country in negative ways. 

Doing nothing as a result or reacting haphazardly would only expose us creating potential delays.  Those very delays today may just affect our sovereignty in the future as our frontier territories continue to be exposed to intruders who are definitely not friendly to our way of life or culture.

Taking a note from when I was head of the secretariat for a contact group on piracy and where we worked together, we should do something for our people today which will benefit our people tomorrow and which will leave a lasting positive legacy for the region. 

Let us therefore not assume the worst when in fact the concept of a forward operating base partnered with a friendly nation is ideal, and as our Seychelles nation takes those needed steps to be better prepared.

Raymond K. St Ange

Disclaimer:

The views expressed in this letter are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Seychelles NATION newspaper.