- The new South African High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Seychelles, Ajay Bramdeo, yesterday hailed the tranquillity around the 14 April hand over of power from ex-President France Albert René to President James Michel. Although no elections were held, Mr Bramdeo said the transition was "democratic".
Speaking after he presented his credentials to President Michel at State House in Seychelles, Mr Bramdeo said the tranquillity was exemplary and that Seychelles was "a shining example" of how other countries should manage their affairs.
- We are very pleased that Seychelles has gone through the peaceful and democratic transition from the former president to the current one, said Mr Bramdeo. "We have been very supportive of this position and we are encouraged by the development because it augers well for stability on the islands and therefore for development," he added.
There was no mention on the chronically lack of democracy that has been characteristically for the long rule of ex-President René. Mr Michel was the handpicked successor of the controversial ex-President and has not been confirmed in any election.
The reception of Mr Bramdeo of course was dominated by a spirit of cooperation and diplomacy. The new South African Ambassador said that Seychelles' cooperation with his country extended over a wide variety of areas that are of mutual interests and benefits, for example capacity building and skills development.
- We would like to see Seychelles economy bear the fruits of the country's stability and we will try to encourage more South African businessmen to come and invest and look at trade issues, he said.
Mr Bramdeo is the second South African High Commissioner to be accredited to Seychelles and replaces Lulu Louis Aaron Mnguni, who served as High Commissioner from 1999 to 2003. He will be based in Port Louis, Mauritius. Seychelles and South Africa only established diplomatic relations on 5 November 1993.
The new High Commissioner said that the break until his appointment from the time his predecessor left was simply a "capacity building" problem for South Africa, and was "not meant to send any particular message" to Seychelles.
The lack of a South African High Commissioner during one year however had caused some raised eyebrows in Seychelles. The two countries are members of the regional economic body SADC, although Seychelles currently is pulling out of the body.
Nevertheless, the Seychellois government made sure to make an extraordinary good impression on Mr Bramdeo. In an unprecedented move, a 14-man Guard of Honour greeted the new South African envoy when he arrived at State House to present his credentials.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español