Demonstrators oppose proposed coast guard base on Assomption Island |02 March 2026

Demonstrators oppose proposed coast guard base on Assomption Island

By Anika Cathene

A large group of demonstrators filled the streets of Victoria on Saturday to protest against the construction of a coast guard base on Assomption island.

The demonstration, which began peacefully at 9am in the Stad Popiler carpark, comes after the Head of State, President Patrick Herminie, announced that a Seychelles-owned and manned coast guard base will be built on Assomption Island in partnership with India. 

Protesters marched from Stad Popiler along Rue de Possession, Royal Street, Quincy Street, Olivier Maradan Street and Albert Street before returning to the starting point. On many of the boards and banners, protesters displayed slogans such as ‘No Indian base on Assomption Island’ and ‘Assomption island is not for sale’. Throughout the march, demonstrators repeatedly chanted similar phrases, such as ‘Assomption for Seychellois’ and ‘Assomption and Aldabra Island for Seychellois’.

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