Working in the tourism industry can be very demanding but when there are leaders who can motivate and inspire their teams to deliver, and who do not only show but go all the way, giving them a better feeling for it. Lucas D'Offay, 38, the son of the late Louis d'Offay, who was a well-known tourism personality in Seychelles, is following in his father's footsteps. He is now the general manager of Hotel L'Archipel on Praslin Island, the second most populated island of the archipelago in the western Indian Ocean. The hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel on a secluded beach. D'Offay is the youngest Seychellois general manager leading a Seychellois-owned hotel on the island. SNA met with D'Offay to learn more about his plans for the tourism establishment.   SNA: How did your journey in the tourism industry begin? LD: My journey into the tourism industry began in 2002, when I spent most of my school holidays working at Hotel L'Archipel as a trainee. During these holiday jobs, I gained valuable insights into hotel operations, including stocktaking, restaurant and bar management, housekeeping and reception, kitchen work, customer service, and marketing. In 2005, I also had the chance to assist our sales and marketing manager in representing the hotel and promoting Seychelles at one of the world's leading travel trade fairs, «Top Resa,» in Deauville, France, organised by the Seychelles Tourism Board at that time. From the very beginning, I knew this was what I wanted, and my dream was to become a general manager just like my father. I have always enjoyed talking to guests whenever the opportunity presented itself. Providing personalised service to our guests has always been my focus. I spent three years in Reunion for my bachelor's degree in catering and hotel management (BTS Mercatique et Gestion en Hôtellerie et Restauration) at the Lycée Professionnel Hôtelier «La Renaissance.» D'Offay and his family. (Mandy Bertin) Photo License: All Rights Reserved       SNA: Tell us more about the hotel you are now managing. LD: I am currently the general manager and a shareholder of Hotel L'Archipel on Praslin with 82 staff members, local and expatriate. Hotel L'Archipel is a small Seychellois-owned hotel that has been in operation since 1987. It was officially opened by my late father, Louis d'Offay, known for being one of Seychelles' tourism pioneers. The hotel features 32 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a diving centre, a watersport centre, and a swimming pool. I have been in this position for 15 years, starting as an assistant general manager, then moving to resident manager, and now general manager.   SNA: How do you manage to balance your professional and personal life? LD: Balancing professional and personal life in the tourism industry can be very challenging, especially if you are passionate about your work. I consider myself fortunate to have a wonderful wife who is very understanding and supportive. The hardest part is when I am at home to rest before the night shift, and my children ask if I will be going to work. You can see the disappointment on their faces if the answer is yes. At the end of the day, you must always find a balance. You need to define your working hours and your relaxing time. When you are with your family, you should make the most of that precious time. You never know what the future holds.   SNA: What are your current aspirations for the hotel and for the island's tourism? LD: My current aspiration for the hotel is to enhance the high level of service that we offer to our guests, make them feel at home and exceed their expectations through personalised service and give them value for their money. My late father worked tirelessly for the hotel to reach its current standing, and he was very proud of what he had achieved. With the level of competition today, differentiation matters. We must always think ahead, act smarter, and be more proactive in decision-making. Replicating what others are doing or offering is not enough. We must provide unique experiences and offer better services that set us apart.   SNA: Your father was a great tourism pioneer who left a legacy. What have you learned from him about building a career in this industry? LD: My father was not only a great tourism pioneer but also my mentor, and I am sure he was a mentor to many others who worked with him. He was strict and disciplined, and he would always speak his mind if he was not happy with something. He was an outgoing individual with a good heart; he would never say no to helping the community or a staff member. I owe my current position to him. He encouraged me to grow into the person I am today. I still remember the day when I told him that I would further my studies in hospitality management, he was so proud because I was the only child who wanted to follow in his footsteps. He gave me all the advice and support needed to pursue my studies and career. He would always speak highly of me to his entourage. Many would think that because he was my father, I would get easy treatment in employment. However, I received the same treatment as any other employee when I was on duty. When he did not like something or was not in favour of my decision, he would call me into the office, and we would exchange our thoughts. Strangely enough, today I find myself in similar situations that I encountered in the past with him, and for me, it is like déjà vu. I can say that I have learned the hard way. I wish he was still around so I could learn more from him. D'Offay said his father was not only a great tourism pioneer but also his mentor. (Lucas D'Offay) Photo License: All Rights Reserved       SNA: What do you think is needed to help propel the island's tourism businesses forward? LD: Propelling an island's tourism businesses forward involves a multi-faceted approach that addresses various aspects of the industry. The focus should be on marketing and promotion. We should not solely depend on the Tourism Seychelles Department [of the government] to do all the marketing. Each business must have its own marketing strategy to attract guests and increase profit margins. Infrastructure development is another crucial aspect. Businesses should ensure that their buildings and facilities are clean and up to standard so that customers get value for their money. Government support is also essential, including constantly revising policies, providing tax incentives, and easing GOP [gainful occupation permits for foreign workers] formalities.   SNA: How do you see your future unfolding and do you see yourself remaining in the industry?  LD: I cannot see myself in any other industry apart from tourism and hospitality. In the tourism industry, you learn new things every single day. Nothing is repetitive. This is what makes it fun and challenging at times. I have an approachable attitude towards everyone. The staff at the hotel always describe me as someone who is very open-minded, as I believe in an open-door policy. I believe in firmness and discipline but with an amicable and understanding approach.   SNA: What advice do you have for the youth aspiring to manage a hotel in Seychelles? LD: Hotel management is not only a career but also a vocation. You cannot be part of it if you do not have the patience and passion for it. You must be comfortable with working long hours, as is often the case, and be prepared to work split shifts and on public holidays. Understanding your staff and every respective department is also very important. You must always lead by example and you will encounter many obstacles along this journey, but remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side. You must always keep pushing your limit, do not give up. The more obstacles along the way the stronger and wiser you become. Promotions do not come overnight, take one step at a time. As the saying goes 'Rome was not built in a day.' 

Negotiators failed to produce an agreement on how to respond to drought at Saudi-hosted UN talks, participants said on Saturday, falling short of a hoped-for binding protocol addressing the scourge. The 12-day meeting of parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), known as COP16, concluded early on Saturday morning, a day later than scheduled as parties tried to finalise a deal. Prior to the talks, UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said the world expected negotiators «to adopt a bold decision that can help turn the tide on the most pervasive and the most disruptive environmental disaster: drought». But addressing the plenary session before dawn, Thiaw acknowledged that «parties need more time to agree on the best way forward». A press release on Saturday said the parties -- 196 countries and the European Union -- had «made significant progress in laying the groundwork for a future global drought regime, which they intend to complete at COP17 in Mongolia in 2026». The Riyadh talks came after the partial failure of biodiversity talks in Colombia, the failure to reach a UN deal on plastics pollution in South Korea, and a climate finance deal that disappointed developing nations at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The outcomes have «highlighted the challenges facing global negotiations,» said Tom Mitchell, executive director of the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development. «More than ever, the fractured geopolitical landscape is proving to be a stumbling block to the COP process and some voices are being squeezed out. »These issues come at a time when the crises these summits are designed to tackle become ever more urgent.« - Growing threat - Droughts »fuelled by human destruction of the environment« cost the world more than $300 billion each year, the UN said in a report published on December 3, the second day of the talks in Riyadh. Droughts are projected to affect 75 percent of the world's population by 2050, it said. A delegate at COP16 from a country in Africa, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations, told AFP that African nations had hoped the talks would produce a binding protocol on drought. That would ensure »every government will be held responsible« for devising stronger preparation and response plans, the delegate said. »It's the first time I've seen Africa so united, with a strong united front, with respect to the drought protocol.« Two other COP16 participants, also requesting anonymity, told AFP that developed countries did not want a binding protocol and instead were pushing for a »framework«, which African countries deemed inadequate. Indigenous groups also wanted a protocol, said Praveena Sridhar, chief technical officer for Save Soil, a global campaign backed by UN agencies. This would allow for better monitoring, early warning systems and response plans, she said. Yet the absence of a protocol from COP16 »shouldn't delay progress«, as national governments can still allocate »budgets and subsidies to financially support farmers in adopting sustainable soil and land management«. - Funding needs - Ahead of the Riyadh talks, the UNCCD said 1.5 billion hectares (3.7 billion acres) of land must be restored by decade's end and that at least $2.6 trillion in global investments was needed. The first week saw pledges of more than $12 billion from bodies such as the Arab Coordination Group, a collection of national and regional institutions, and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which is meant to mobilise public and private money to help at-risk countries. Activists accused Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, of trying to water down calls to phase out fossil fuels at last month's COP29 UN climate talks in Baku. However, desertification is a major issue for the Gulf kingdom. Along with the drought resilience partnership, Saudi Arabia launched initiatives to promote early warning for sand and dust storms and to get the private sector involved in land preservation, Saudi Environment Minister Abdulrahman AlFadley said in his closing remarks. Saudi Arabia is dedicated »to working with all parties to preserve ecosystems, enhance international cooperation to combat desertification and land degradation, and address drought«, he said. Sridhar of Save Soil said Saudi Arabia had succeeded in raising the profile of land-related issues, which she described as more »unifying« than the climate talks in Baku. »Attending to land, agriculture lands, farmers, livestock –- it's not a contested subject. Nobody's going to say 'I don’t want food',« she said. »The use of fossil fuels or not is a very polarising subject. This is not." © Agence France-Presse  

An initiative is underway in Seychelles to use the site of «Dan Sours» - the first wetland in the country to be restored with gabion rock barrage technology - as a pilot agroforestry site. The wetland at Bougainville in the district of Takamaka, south of the main island of Mahe, is where the gabion technology was used for restoration and completed in 2018. The site is currently being promoted for conservation and sustainability as well as eco-friendly and leisure activities. «With the support of the Ridge-to-Reef project, we are running a pilot agroforestry site with the aim of establishing a community seed bank. We plan to plant various rare fruit trees found in Seychelles, such as Letsi plim (Letchie), Miska (nutmeg), cacao, among others. Our target is to plant about 500 trees of each species, and we have already begun planting coco de mer and medicinal plants,» explained Johan Mendez, chairperson of the Baie Lazare Watershed Committee, which currently manages the area. «A Ridge-to-Reef (R2R) Approach for the Integrated Management of Marine, Coastal, and Terrestrial Ecosystems in Seychelles» is a $3.87 million Global Environment Facility (GEF) project, co-financed by the government of Seychelles, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and civil societies. R2R has also supported the site's management by facilitating the production and installation of information, directional, and biodiversity boards at the Dan Sours wetland. These boards are designed to keep the public informed and engaged in the committee's ongoing mission to preserve, protect, and conserve the area, which has so far been a successful story in terms of increasing fresh water retention. Currently, the area features a thriving forest of endemic palms, an all-around trail, bridges, benches, a parking facility, and litter bins. It offers families a perfect getaway for picnics, relaxation and exercise, while respecting the environment. «For this year, we have diverse goals. We aim to sustainably manage the wetlands while developing activities capable of financing the committee independently,» said Mendez, adding that these initiatives will include kayaking and ecotourism, as well as the creation of trails and mountain bike routes for public enjoyment, no doubt encouraging and promoting healthy lifestyles as well. «However, these activities must be conducted with the utmost respect for the environment,» added Mendez, who was the consultant to oversee the project and work, which transformed the wetland. The group is seeking more support to venture fully into the agroforestry project. For now, all work is being done by a small group of volunteers.  Earlier this year, another group, a not-for-profit organisation based on Praslin – the second most populated island of Praslin, announced that it had ventured into agroforestry. Terrestrial Restoration Action Society Seychelles (TRASS) opened a second nursery with a capacity of twelve thousand local and rare fruits with support of the Ridge-to-Reef project. The main aim is to the use local fruits in the organisation's restoration work to reforest some of the island' mountainous areas degraded by erosion. 

The leader of the Islamist rebels that seized power in Syria last week called on people to take to the streets to celebrate «the victory of the revolution» on Friday. «I would like to congratulate the great Syrian people on the victory of the blessed revolution and I call on them to go to the streets to express their joy,» said Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa. The leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group was wearing a dark waistcoat, a white shirt and a watch in the video message shared on Telegram. His call comes ahead of the first Friday prayers since Syria's new leadership took control. During the early days of of Syria's uprising in 2011, protesters would usually gather after Friday prayers. He is set to attend Friday prayers at Damascus's landmark Umayyad mosque. Rebel forces led by HTS launched a lightning offensive last month, taking control of Damascus and ousting president Bashar al-Assad in less than two weeks. On Tuesday, they appointed an interim prime minister to lead Syria until March. © Agence France-Presse  

Young people from small island states -- the driving force behind the climate change hearings at the International Court of Justice -- have provided a breath of fresh air to proceedings and gut-wrenching testimony from the front-line. Many were presenting their country's first-ever ICJ submission and did not mince their words in the Great Hall of Justice, normally the scene of weighty legal arguments from austere lawyers in robes and wigs. «The outcome of these proceedings will reverberate across generations, determining the fate of nations like mine and the future of our planet,» said Vanuatu's representative Ralph Regenvanu, opening the hearings. «This may well be the most consequential case in the history of humanity. Let us not allow future generations to look back and wonder why the cause of their doom was condoned,» added Regenvanu. Several speakers wore vibrant national dress, also sporting traditional necklaces and headdresses, a marked contrast to the sober suits usually seen in the Peace Palace. Showing powerful images of devastation to the judges, many portrayed the battle against the worst ravages of climate change as nothing short of an existential struggle for survival. «Saint Lucians live with a ticking clock at the start of every single hurricane season, which... causes cataclysmic devastation,» said the Caribbean island's representative, Jan Yves Remy. «Our fisherfolk complain already of dwindling catches. Many of our pristine beaches, including the one my father grew up on... have been replaced by barren rocks,» she added. - 'Story of inspiration' - Most vulnerable island nations took aim at wealthy large polluting countries for failing to provide sufficient funding to mitigate the effects of climate change. «As seas rise faster than predicted, these states must stop. This court must not permit them to condemn our lands and our people to watery graves,» thundered John Silk from the Marshall Islands in Micronesia. The tiny Melanesian island nation of Vanuatu spearheaded the drive to bring the case to the ICJ, corralling a group of countries to push the United Nations to ask its top court for its opinion. The initiative began in a classroom at the University of the South Pacific in 2019. About 27 law students wrote to Pacific leaders asking them to take up the campaign -- and Vanuatu answered the call. Five years later, one of those students, Vishal Prasad from Fiji, stood on the steps of the Peace Palace and told journalists that the initiative was the culmination of an idea that seemed «ambitious, crazy, weird and insurmountable». Asked what he would tell his fellow students, the 28-year-old said: «We have done what we set out to do. We have taken the world's biggest problem to the world's highest court.» «It's a story of inspiration to everyone, especially to young people who may not find hope in what's happening around them,» said Prasad. «But if they look within and if they look in the community of young people, there is enough inspiration, enough hope to get us through this.» © Agence France-Presse  

Seychelles has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the Global Plastics Treaty is finalised by 2025, following the conclusion of the latest round of negotiations without an agreement. The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5), tasked with developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, took place from November 25 to December 1, 2024, at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre in Busan, Republic of Korea. A potential goal of reducing the production of primary plastic polymers, prohibitions and limitations on chemicals of concern in plastic products, and problematic and preventable plastic products were the principal areas of disagreement. Major oil-producing nations and the «High Ambition Coalition,» which includes the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other African, Latin American, and Pacific nations, failed to reach a consensus on these points. For Seychelles, the treaty holds immense importance as a small island state disproportionately affected by plastic pollution. “We are disappointed that the treaty has not been finalised, but at the same time, we understand that we cannot have a document that does not reflect the position of everyone involved,” said Nanette Laure, the director general of the Waste Enforcement and Permit Division in the Department of Environment, during a press conference on Thursday. Laure highlighted the specific challenges faced by small island states, emphasising the need for the treaty to address the full life cycle of plastics. She added, “We also want to guarantee that countries that produce plastics finance activities with regards to dealing with plastic pollution.” While no agreement was reached in Busan, the negotiating committee has approved a draft text to serve as the basis for discussions at the next meeting. This progress is seen as a significant step toward achieving a deal. The goals of the European Union have been embraced by the vast majority of over 100 nations, with support continuing to grow. Seychelles remains optimistic that an agreement will be reached in the next round of negotiations, expected in 2024. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), every day, the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes. Annually, 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers, and seas. Plastic pollution alters habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to climate change and directly affecting millions of people’s livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being. Seychelles actively working to reduce plastic pollution Seychelles has been a pioneer in reducing plastic pollution. In 2017, the island nation banned the importation and sale of plastic bags and plastic utensils, including cups, forks, Styrofoam takeaway boxes, and plates. This was followed by a ban on single-use plastic straws in 2019 and balloons in 2021. “People need to understand that the impacts of plastic pollution are not just on the environment, but also on human health, which is the biggest concern,” Laure explained. She warned that microplastics pose real threats, as they carry chemicals used in plastic production and are ingested by people through food, water, and air. Studies have shown that microplastics significantly damage cells in the human body, leading to serious health effects, including cancers, lung disease, and birth defects. Toxic chemical additives in plastics can disrupt hormone activity, affecting reproduction, growth, and cognitive function. Additionally, microplastics act as vessels for pathogens, increasing the spread of diseases. The Global Plastics Treaty seeks to address these critical issues, and negotiations continue to face challenges. However, Seychelles’ consistent advocacy reflects its determination to ensure the treaty considers the perspectives of vulnerable nations and prioritises comprehensive, enforceable solutions.

Seychelles has called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold major greenhouse gas emitters accountable for the harm caused by climate change, describing the issue as an «existential threat» to small island developing states (SIDS). The ICJ hearings, which began on December 2, 2024, are set to conclude on Friday, December 13. The Court will later deliver an advisory opinion on the legal obligations of states to protect the climate and the consequences of environmental harm. The Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change, and Environment, Flavien Joubert, led Seychelles’ delegation, delivering a statement on December 92024. Joubert asserted, “It is imperative that the polluting states, whose actions have caused irreversible harm, take full responsibility and provide reparations to those most affected.” Seychelles is urging the Court to recognise that states have a legal duty to protect human rights from the impacts of climate change, both within and beyond their territories. Joubert underscored the global reach of the crisis, saying, “The harm caused by climate change goes beyond borders and threatens lives and livelihoods. International law must ensure accountability for these violations.” The country’s aim is to establish a legal precedent that would compel major polluters to compensate vulnerable nations for the damage caused. The delegation also included Transport Minister Antony Derjacques, a qualified lawyer, and Attorney General Vinsent Perera. They collaborated with international law experts from the Paris-based firm Sygna Partners to present Seychelles’ arguments before the Court. The advisory opinion of the ICJ could have far-reaching implications for international climate law, potentially setting a new standard for state responsibility in addressing environmental damage. Seychelles’ participation underscores its commitment to ensuring that international law protects nations at the forefront of the climate crisis. SIDS like Seychelles are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events caused by climate change. As the hearings conclude, the world will be closely monitoring the ICJ’s decision, which could shape the future of international accountability for climate-related harm.

The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) has unveiled a QR Code bus payment system and introduced five low-floor buses, enhancing convenience and accessibility for its passengers. At the launch held at Victoria Bus Terminal, the SPTC chief executive, Jeffy Zialor, hailed the QR Code platform as a “cutting-edge addition to our cashless ticketing solution.” Accessible through the SPTC app on Android and iOS smartphones, the system allows commuters to scan a QR code to pay for their fares. “This platform represents our commitment to embrace technology so as to improve efficiency and convenience for our passengers,” Zialor said. The innovation builds on SPTC’s transition to cashless travel in July 2023, which eliminated cash payments for bus rides with the introduction of an obligatory bus card. The QR Code system was tested during a six-month pilot on Praslin, the second-most populated island, where 600 tickets were sold daily. Alex Etienne, SPTC head of Corporate Affairs, said the new system addresses previous issues with payment delays. “Previously, some of our customers had experienced a lag when paying for their fares on the app, but with the introduction of the QR Code, the money is immediately loaded onto their cards,” he explained. Themed “We Are Evolving,” the launch also showcased five new buses, the final delivery in a fleet upgrade funded through a credit line from the Indian government. In total, 59 Ashok Leyland buses, valued at $2.8 million, have been acquired under the agreement. The Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles, Kartik Pande, reaffirmed India’s support for Seychelles’ development goals, saying, “India is standing alongside Seychelles in any developmental need as it embarks on the environmental energy-efficient route.” The new buses are designed with fuel efficiency in mind, reflecting SPTC’s commitment to sustainability. Zialor emphasised, “SPTC remains committed to the reduction of our carbon footprint and we have eagerly joined the world in a much-needed strategy for decarbonisation.” He also revealed plans to include at least two electric buses in the fleet replacement programme for 2025-2026. Each of the five new 60-seater buses, measuring 12 metres long, features accessibility improvements such as flat floors, a kneeling mechanism, and wheelchair ramps. These additions ensure greater inclusivity for passengers with mobility challenges. Alesha Seraphine, a wheelchair user who tested one of the buses during a ride to Perseverance, expressed her satisfaction. “It has been over 25 years that I have not been able to board an SPTC bus, but the new ones are easy to use and will cut my current reliance on taxis,” she said. SPTC currently operates a fleet of 230 buses serving Mahe and Praslin, with the 59 new buses bringing the proportion of modern vehicles to over 30 per cent. The company provides services to around 50,000 commuters daily.

The African Union on Thursday urged Ethiopia and Somalia to implement «without delay» an agreement aimed at ending tensions between the neighbours over Ethiopia's access to the sea, calling the deal an «important act». The two countries have been at loggerheads since landlocked Ethiopia struck a deal in January with Somalia's breakaway region Somaliland to lease a stretch of coastline for a port and military base. In return, Somaliland -- which unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991 in a move not recognised by Mogadishu -- said Ethiopia would give it formal recognition, although this was never confirmed by Addis Ababa. Somalia branded the deal a violation of its sovereignty, setting international alarm bells ringing over the risk of renewed conflict in the volatile region. Following hours of Turkish-brokered talks, Ankara announced late Wednesday an «historic» agreement had been reached between Somalia and Ethiopia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he believed the agreement would help Ethiopia gain its long-desired access to the sea. Technical talks are set for next year. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had flown into Ankara for the talks following two previous rounds that made little progress. Speaking in the Turkish capital after the agreement, Mohamud said the neighbours had «mutual interests in cooperating together». «We belong to a region where peace and stability is first priority for our people's lives,» he said. African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat stressed the «important act» taken by the leaders to find a deal but emphasised the urgency to «implement, without delay, the relevant measures adopted». He did not give any indication in the statement, posted on X, of what measures had been agreed. East Africa's regional bloc IGAD (the Intergovernmental Authority on Development) also welcomed the agreement as an «important step». It «demonstrates a commitment to resolving bilateral issues amicably», IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said. - 'Reliable, safe access' - According to the text of the accord published by Turkey, the parties agreed «to put aside differences of opinion and contentious issues, and to move resolutely forward in cooperation towards common prosperity». They agreed to work closely together on commercial arrangements and bilateral agreements that would ensure Ethiopia's «reliable, safe and sustainable access» to the sea «under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia». To that end, it said they would start technical talks no later than the end of February which would be completed «within four months», with any differences to be dealt with «though dialogue, where necessary with Turkey's support». However, there was no detail on how the agreement might impact the controversial memorandum of understanding between Somaliland and Ethiopia, which has never been made public. Ethiopian authorities did not immediately respond to AFP's requests for comment about the future of the agreement with Somaliland. A source close to the Somaliland government said nothing had changed regarding the agreement with Ethiopia, noting: «Agreeing to work together to resolve their dispute is not the same as walking away from the MOU.» While Abiy has repeatedly insisted that his country must have coastal access, he told parliament earlier this year that Ethiopia had «no interest in getting involved in a war» over access to the sea. In response, Mogadishu has strengthened its ties with Egypt, Ethiopia's long-time rival. Somalia expelled Ethiopia's ambassador in April and said Ethiopian troops would be excluded from a new African Union peacekeeping force against Islamist Al-Shabaab insurgents that is due to be deployed on January 1. Ethiopia, which has the second largest population in Africa with 120 million people, lost access to the sea when Eritrea gained independence in 1993. © Agence France-Presse  

French politics was on hold Thursday during a day trip to Poland by President Emmanuel Macron, who is expected to name a new prime minister a week after MPs toppled the government. Macron had promised to name a replacement government chief within 48 hours after meeting party leaders at his Elysee Palace office Tuesday, participants said. But he remains confronted with the complex political equation that emerged from July's snap parliamentary poll: how to secure a government against no-confidence votes in a lower house split three ways between a leftist alliance, centrists and conservatives, and the far-right National Rally (RN). Greens leader Marine Tondelier urged Macron on Thursday to «get out of his comfort zone» as he casts around for a name. «The French public want a bit of enthusiasm, momentum, fresh wind, something new,» she told France 2 television. Former prime minister Michel Barnier, whose government had support only from Macron's centrist camp and his own conservative political family, was felled last week in a confidence vote over his cost-cutting budget. His caretaker administration on Wednesday reviewed a bill designed to keep the lights of government on without a formal financial plan for 2025, allowing tax collection and borrowing to continue. Lawmakers are expected to widely support the draft law when it comes before parliament on Monday. - 'Look to the future' - At issue in the search for a new prime minister are both policies and personalities. Mainstream parties invited by Macron on Tuesday, ranging from the conservative Republicans to Socialists, Greens and Communists on the left, disagree deeply. One totemic issue is whether to maintain Macron's widely loathed 2023 pension reform that increased the official retirement age to 64, seen by centrists and the right as necessary to balance the budget but blasted by the left as unjust. On the personality front, Macron's rumoured top pick for a new PM, veteran centrist Francois Bayrou, raises hackles on both left and right. For the left he would embody a simple «continuation» of the president's policies to date, Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure has said. Meanwhile Bayrou is personally disliked by former president Nicolas Sarkozy, still influential on the right and reported to have Macron's ear. Other contenders include former Socialist interior minister and prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, serving Defence Minister and Macron loyalist Sebastien Lecornu, or former foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. But a name could still emerge from outside the pack, as happened with Barnier in September. Those in circulation «are names that have been around for years and haven't seduced the French. It's the past. I want us to look to the future,» Greens boss Tondelier said. - Far right 'not unhappy' - While the suspense over Macron's choice endures, there has been infighting on the left over whether to play along in the search for stability or stick to maximalist demands. Once a PM is named, «we will then have to have a discussion with whoever is named,» Socialist chief Faure said, saying the left must «be able to grab some victories for the French public». The Socialists' openness to cooperation has been denounced by their nominal ally Jean-Luc Melenchon, figurehead of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI). «No coalition deals! No deal not to vote no confidence! Return to reason and come home!» he urged on Tuesday. Hardline attitudes are not necessarily vote-winners, with just over two-thirds of respondents to an Elabe poll published Wednesday saying they want politicians to reach a deal not to overthrow a new government. But confidence in the elite is limited, with around the same number saying they did not believe the political class could reach agreement. In a separate poll from Ifop, RN leader Marine Le Pen is credited with 35 percent support in the first round of a future presidential election -- well ahead of any likely opponent. She has said she is «not unhappy» her far-right party has been left out of the horse-trading around government formation, appearing for now to benefit from the chaos rather than suffer blame for bringing last week's no-confidence vote over the line. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles secured nine medals at the 2024 Africa Aquatics Zone 4 Championships, held in Windhoek, Namibia from December 4 - 7. The team of 10 swimmers performed admirably in both pool and open water events, with six team members earning medals. In the pool events, Amos Ferley, competing in the boys’ 17-29 category, was the standout performer, winning two gold medals and one silver. His first gold came in the 50m freestyle, where he clocked 24.05 seconds, narrowly beating Angola’s Janel Tati (24.52s) and Namibia’s Robin Engelhard (24.54s). Ferley’s second gold was in the 100m freestyle, where he finished in 54.80s, just ahead of Mozambique’s Hugo Barradas (54.86s) and Cleyton Munguambe (54.96s). His silver medal was earned in the 50m backstroke, with a time of 28.25s, just behind Mozambique’s Kaio Faftine, who set a record time of 27.94s. Botswana’s Takundanashe Gondo finished third in 28.27s. Aliyaah Palestrini also struck gold, winning the girls’ 17-29 category 50m backstroke in 32.19s, ahead of Namibia’s Reza Westerduin (32.45s) and Zambia’s Marlise Findlay (32.52s). Aliyaah Palestrini won gold (Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: CC-BY Nasri Jean-Baptiste added a bronze medal in the boys’ 14 and under 800m freestyle, finishing in 10:09.91s. South Africa’s Kellen Jones took gold with a record-breaking 9:13.33s, while Angola’s Santiago Guimaraes claimed silver in 10:00.98s. Seychelles ranked ninth overall in the pool events, competing against teams from 15 countries. In the open water events, Seychelles also performed strongly, claiming two golds, one silver, and one bronze. Anthony Morgan won gold in the 13 years category 1km race, while Damien Payet triumphed in the 19 years and over 5km race. Damien Payet won gold in his open water 5km race (Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: CC-BY Jean-Baptiste added a silver in the boys’ 14-15 years 3km race, and Dorianne Bristol earned bronze in the girls’ 14-15 years 3km event. Seychelles ranked sixth overall in the open water events, with an impressive third place in the men’s category. “The competition was not an easy one for the team as the swimmers had to adapt to the high altitude and hot, dry weather in Namibia,” said a press communique from the Seychelles Aquatics Federation. “The water temperature was colder than usual, and the thin air affected the swimmers’ performance,” it said. Despite the challenges, the federation commended the team for their efforts, noting several close fourth place finishes against strong competition from regional powerhouses such as South Africa. For many of the swimmers, this was their first-time representing Seychelles at an international level. Most are expected to compete in the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games, which will be held in Seychelles in 2025.

Addressing the growing challenges of digitalisation and youth disengagement in electoral processes, representatives from Electoral Commissions across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have gathered in Seychelles for the 26th Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Electoral Commission Forum (ECF). The conference, held at the Eden Bleu Hotel, was officially opened on Tuesday morning by Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan. The event features Chairpersons, Commissioners, and senior election officials from 15 SADC countries, reflecting the region’s collective commitment to improving electoral systems. “Seychelles acknowledges that this Forum has grown tremendously and has continuously empowered electoral commissions in the SADC region to deliver credible and transparent elections,” said President Ramkalawan in his address. He highlighted the importance of the theme, “Digitalisation and Youth Engagement in Electoral Processes in the SADC region”, noting that the region continues to face significant challenges. “The growing significance of the loosely regulated digital media landscape, the decline in democratic values and acceptance of election results, and the decline in public engagement, particularly among youth, are some of the most pressing issues,” Ramkalawan said. He urged participants to consider potential solutions to these emerging challenges while leveraging the opportunities presented by digitalisation and the region’s youthful population. The ECF-SADC was established 26 years ago and has since addressed critical topics such as the independence and impartiality of Electoral Commissions, voter registration, electoral dispute resolution mechanisms, and building relationships with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, and the media. The President of the Electoral Commission Forum and Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana, Barnabas Nyamadzabo, also addressed the gathering. He emphasised the value of collaboration and mutual learning among election management bodies (EMBs). “One way of mutual learning amongst EMBs is that we regularly observe one another’s elections as part of our monitoring and evaluation process,” Nyamadzabo said. He clarified that the purpose of these observations is not to rush into making declarations about elections but rather to identify and address challenges systematically. The conference aims to examine the key trends and challenges posed by the digital era and dwindling youth participation in elections. It seeks to explore innovative strategies for addressing these issues while enhancing the credibility and transparency of electoral processes. Participants, including representatives from Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, will engage in discussions and share best practices over the three-day event. Former Seychelles' President Danny Faure is also participating, with his experience of leading several electoral observer missions abroad. Nyamadzabo expressed confidence in the forum’s ability to foster regional peace and stability through improved election management practices. “The sharing of best practices contributes to our ability to deliver elections that are transparent and credible, thereby creating an environment conducive to peace and stability in our respective countries,” he said. The 26th AGC is expected to conclude on December 12, with participants committed to addressing the challenges of the digital age and empowering youth to actively engage in the democratic process.

The UN General Assembly will vote Wednesday on a draft resolution that seeks an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, a symbolic gesture after the US previously vetoed a similar action in the UN Security Council. In addition to calling for «an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire,» the draft resolution seeks «the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,» an accommodation of the United States and other staunch allies of Israel. The resolution, which is non-binding, also demands «immediate access» to widespread humanitarian aid for the citizens of Gaza, who have been subjected to more than a year of war with Israel, especially in the besieged north of the territory. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack which resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data. The count includes hostages who died or were killed while being held in Gaza. During the attack, militants also kidnapped 251 hostages, 96 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 who the military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed at least 44,786 people, mostly civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry that is considered reliable by the UN. - 'Bleeding heart of Palestine' - «Gaza today is the bleeding heart of Palestine,» Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour said last week during the Assembly's first debate on the resolution. «The images of our children burning in tents, with no food in their bellies and no hopes and no horizon for the future, and after having endured pain and loss for more than a year, should haunt the conscience of the world and prompt action to end this nightmare,» he continued, calling for an end to the «impunity.' Israel, meanwhile, has denounced the draft resolution ahead of the vote. »If you truly want peace, it begins with dismantling this infrastructure of hate and the glorification of terror,« Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon said, in reference to humanitarian agency UNRWA, whose employees were accused by Israel of assisting with the October 7 attacks. The draft resolution seeks to address »the need for accountability« by asking UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to present »proposals on how the United Nations could help to advance accountability.« An earlier draft seen by AFP aimed to establish an international mechanism to help investigate and prosecute those who are responsible for violating international law against the Palestinians. But that language was not included in the draft resolution that will be put to a vote. A second draft resolution up for a vote on Wednesday will call on Israel to respect the mandate of UNRWA and allow it to continue its »safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance" operations, after Israel voted to ban it. The ban, which is due to take effect on January 28, sparked global condemnation, including from key Israeli backer the United States. © Agence France-Presse  

Sudan has become the «biggest humanitarian crisis ever recorded» after 20 months of devastating war between rival generals, the International Rescue Committee said in a report released Wednesday. «The country accounts for 10 percent of all people in humanitarian need, despite being home to less than 1 percent of global population,» the New York-based organisation said in their 2025 Emergency Watchlist. Since April 2023, a war between the Sudanese regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted 12 million. Nearly nine million of those are displaced within Sudan, most in areas with decimated infrastructure and facing the threat of mass starvation. Across the country, nearly 26 million people -- around half the population -- are facing acute hunger, according to the United Nations. Famine has already been declared in the Zamzam displacement camp in the western Darfur region, and the United Nations has said Sudan is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory. IRC's report highlights the 20 countries at greatest risk of humanitarian deterioration, with Sudan ranking highest on the list for the second year in a row. They said a total of 30.4 million people were in humanitarian need across the northeast African country, making it «the largest humanitarian crisis since records began», the IRC said. There is no end to the war in sight, with both parties intensifying strikes on residential areas in recent weeks. The IRC warned of total «humanitarian collapse», as the health crisis was set to worsen and both sides continued to «choke humanitarian access». Around 305 million people worldwide are in need of humanitarian support, according to IRC, with 82 percent of them in watchlist areas such as the occupied Palestinian territories, Myanmar, Syria, South Sudan and Lebanon. «It is clear that 'the world is on fire' is a daily reality for hundreds of millions of people,» IRC chief David Miliband said. «The world is being cleaved into two camps: between those born in unstable conflict states, and those with a chance to make it in stable states.» © Agence France-Presse

The Ombudsman and the Seychelles Human Rights Commission (SHRC) announced on Tuesday a joint investigation into the recent tragic incidents at Montagne Posee Prison. These events, which resulted in the deaths of two male detainees and injuries to several others, including law enforcement personnel, have raised significant concerns about the treatment of individuals in custody and the conditions under which officers operate. The two oversight bodies issued a joint statement expressing their alarm over the incidents and the broader implications for human rights and law enforcement standards. “The treatment of detainees, their safety, and adherence to their constitutional rights must always be upheld by the State,” the statement read. It further emphasised that, although certain rights may be limited during detention, the fundamental right to dignity remains “absolute and cannot be restricted under any circumstances.” The Seychelles Police Force intervened at Montagne Posee Prison on the main island of Mahe throughout the day of December 5 and night of morning of 6 to restore order after inmates staged a riot in the male block against prison officers, taking four prison officers’ hostage, in a protest against convicted drug trafficker Stephan Mondon being moved to an isolation cell. The hostages were released, and the prison is under control. The events at Montagne Posee on have also highlighted challenges faced by law enforcement personnel. “It is essential to recognise that law enforcement personnel operate under challenging circumstances, and their safety must also be prioritised through the implementation of appropriate structures, systems, and resources,” the Ombudsman and SHRC stated. As independent institutions mandated to oversee public authorities and ensure accountability, both the Ombudsman and the SHRC have resolved to conduct a joint investigation into the incidents. They clarified that their overlapping jurisdictions allow for a collaborative approach to addressing the complex issues involved. “This investigation will examine the administrative decisions leading up to and during the incidents, as well as the use of force by public authorities and their officers,” the statement said. The inquiry will also assess whether these actions adhered to constitutional and international standards. A comprehensive approach will be undertaken to determine the causes and circumstances surrounding the tragedy. This includes collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analysing the existing conditions for detainees and law enforcement officers. A particular focus will be placed on reviewing the adequacy of structures, systems, and resources currently in place. The joint investigation aims to ensure accountability and provide public authorities with actionable recommendations. “The goal is to enhance systems and structures to better manage similar incidents in the future, ensuring the safety of detained persons and law enforcement personnel alike,” the Ombudsman and SHRC explained. The institutions underscored the government’s obligation to uphold human rights, even under difficult circumstances, and the importance of preserving human life. “The preservation of human life must remain paramount,” they stated, adding that they are committed to promoting transparency and accountability throughout the investigative process. In addition to addressing immediate concerns, the Ombudsman and SHRC hope the investigation will pave the way for systemic reforms that strengthen the protection of human rights. “This is not only about accountability for past actions but also about building a framework that prioritises the dignity and safety of everyone involved,” the statement concluded. The tragic events at Montagne Posee have cast a spotlight on the delicate balance between security and human rights. This investigation will likely serve as a critical test of the Seychelles’ commitment to upholding the values enshrined in its Constitution and international obligations.

Seychelles is ramping up efforts to safeguard its shark and ray populations, starting with a workshop aimed at assessing the current situation and outlining actionable steps for the future. The two-day event, held at the Savoy Resort and Spa in Beau Vallon on the main island Mahe, has brought together wildlife protection officers from key sectors to address the challenges facing these vulnerable species. Ashley Dias, director of Biodiversity Conservation and also the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) focal point for Seychelles, said, “The Department of Environment is reviewing the law, and it will soon be called the Wildlife Protection Bill, although we are still in discussions with our stakeholders and partners to determine what other species we will have to add to the list.” Sharks, rays, and chimaeras represent the most threatened marine taxa globally, with over one-third of shark species facing extinction due to overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change. Despite Seychelles' international commitments to protect these species, only one shark, the whale shark, is currently listed as protected under national legislation. Dias highlighted that the workshop is a platform for authorities to “lay all their cards on the table and determine the areas that need addressing and how to implement the various actions.” The event features expert speakers from organisations such as the Wildlife Conservation Society and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), who are providing participants with the latest information on the status of sharks and rays in the region and globally. A 2013 Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA) survey identified 20 species of sharks in the waters around the 115-island western Indian Ocean archipelago. Among the most commonly fished are the grey reef shark, scalloped hammerhead shark, spinner shark, and spot-tail shark. “Although Seychelles has signed many agreements and conventions to protect sharks and rays, there is still much that remains to be done as there are areas where we are not fully compliant,” Dias acknowledged. The workshop will also address challenges such as under-reporting of import and export data related to shark species. Dias emphasised that one of the priorities is to “determine the various actions we must take over the coming two years in that area.” In preparation for the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties in May 2024, stakeholders will discuss Seychelles' position on listing additional shark and ray species under CITES and evaluate the nation’s progress in conservation efforts. Dias expressed optimism about the outcomes, stating, “We will establish what the country has done so far and what it should continue doing to ensure these species do not become extinct.” By addressing these critical issues, Seychelles hopes to enhance its contributions to the global effort to protect these iconic and vulnerable marine creatures.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will travel to India on Sunday for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first overseas visit as head of state, the government said Tuesday. Leaders of the island nation typically make their first visit to regional powerhouse India, which is fiercely competing with China for influence in the Indian Ocean. Dissanayake will spend three days in India meeting with Modi and several other officials, information minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters. Leftist Dissanayake came to power in September on a pledge to fight corruption and tightened his grip on power after his party won a landslide in snap parliamentary polls last month. New Delhi has been concerned about Beijing's growing toehold in Sri Lanka, which it sees as being within its sphere of geopolitical influence. India has stepped up infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka in recent years, but China is Sri Lanka's largest bilateral lender. Loans from Chinese banks have funded large-scale infrastructure projects, some of which have proved to be white elephants. Dissanayake is expected to travel to Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders sometime next month, the government had announced earlier. Sri Lanka suffered its worst financial crisis in 2022 when it ran out of foreign exchange to pay for essential imports such as food, fuel and medicines, and defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt. China is Sri Lanka's largest single lender, accounting for more than half of the island's $13.8 billion bilateral debt at the time of default. India is in third place with 12 percent of the debt while Japan is second with 19.5 percent. © Agence France-Presse  

Seychelles’ capital of Victoria has signed a twinning agreement with the Italian municipality of Carpignano Sesia, in the province of Novara in the Italian region of Piedmont in the north of Italy, located about 80 kilometres northeast of Turin.  The signing of the agreement was completed in a short ceremony at the Office of the Mayor of Victoria, on Tuesday, where the Mayor, Lydia Charlie, signed the agreement alongside the Deputy Mayor of Carpignano Sesia, Giuseppe Maio.  “Today, as we sign this agreement, we are not just signing a document, we are planting the seeds of friendship, cooperation and mutual growth,” said Charlie.  This is the first time that Victoria has established such a relationship with an Italian town, with the Seychelles capital already having agreements with towns and cities in nations such as Mauritius, China and Russia.  “Through this twinning agreement, we aim to foster closer ties between our people,” said Charlie, adding, “Together we will pursue initiatives that strengthen our ties in areas that are close to the hearts of both our communities.”  These areas include religious and spiritual exchanges, youth and sports development, cultural and social engagements, along with cooperation in agriculture and economic development.  The town’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of rice and crops and it has a thriving industrial sector, with various manufacturing industries contributing to its economic growth.  In recent years, the town has also focused on developing its tourism potential.  “I am filled with hope and optimism for what lies ahead,” said the Mayor of Victoria, adding, “Our success will depend on our ability to work together, inspire one another, and push the boundaries of what is possible for our people.”  Maio expressed his gratitude that such an agreement has been signed between the two cities.  “This is the first step for the future of our countries, for the students and the future of our communities,” said Maio.

Former Seychelles’ Minister William Herminie passed away at the age of 67 on Monday afternoon, after suffering from an illness. He was an attorney and also formerly a central committee member of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF) party, which is today called the United Seychelles (US) party, led by his brother, Dr. Patrick Herminie. Seychelles’ President Ramkalawan has sent a message of condolence. William Herminie with family members, some years ago (Seychelles News Agency) Photo license: CC-BY «On behalf of the country, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, friends and colleagues of Mr William Herminie. In his capacity as a former Minister and in his professional career in government, Mr Herminie has made significant contributions of which the country is grateful. He will be remembered for his service to the country and the Seychellois people. May his soul rest in eternal peace,» he said. Ramkalawan also sent a personal message to the president of the United Seychelles party and presidential candidate for the upcoming elections, Dr. Patrick Herminie, to convey his sincere condolences following the passing of his brother. 

Experts from Seychelles and Kenya met to enhance their skills and ability to identify and manage various types of infectious laboratory waste through a week-long training session. The event, recently held at the Savoy Resort and Spa in the northern part of Mahe, equipped participants with knowledge they will use to train colleagues in their respective institutions. Attendees included key players in human, animal, and environmental health sectors in their respective countries. The initiative is part of the European Union's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) and Centres of Excellence Project. The project focuses on building capacity and ensuring preparedness and containment during biological incidents in Eastern and Central Africa. “We are seeing more and more emerging pathogens, and we are testing more as we develop treatments. With all this comes a build-up of biological waste,” explained Christopher Logue, a UK-based expert facilitating the workshop, during an interview with the press. “This issue became especially apparent during Covid-19, with surges in cases leading to large volumes of waste. Suddenly, we faced a global challenge of how to dispose of this waste and treat it, so it doesn’t become a further risk,” added Logue. Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean with an economy reliant on tourism, faces particular vulnerabilities. Logue emphasised the importance of vigilance, noting that the flow of people entering its borders necessitates being “always on guard for the possibility of pathogens coming through.” The training covered topics such as waste identification and treatment methods to ensure it is no longer hazardous to the population. “Only a small portion of waste from healthcare, plant, or animal institutions is infectious. However, if waste is not segregated at an early stage, all associated waste has the potential to become infectious, placing a greater burden on infrastructure,” said Logue. As part of the workshop, the participants were divided into four teams to develop worst-case scenarios for their respective countries and formulate strategies to address them. “We saw superb presentations about how they would manage risks, identifying all the necessary steps,” Logue added. Caroline Jerono, from the Kenya Institute of Primate Research, oversees waste disposal procedures. Jerono told the press that she plans to apply her newly acquired knowledge of waste categorisation and coding through training sessions at her workplace. “Seeing as we all have different roles, I plan to transfer the knowledge I have acquired for the betterment of the institution,” she said. Dwayne Didon, from the Seychelles Public Health Laboratory, also highlighted the potential danger of laboratory waste. “Waste produced in labs has the potential to become dangerous to people,” said Didon, adding that he will be doing my utmost to pass on what he learnt to his colleagues This training session represents a step forward in addressing the global challenge of managing infectious waste effectively and safeguarding public health.

Close to 200 people were killed in brutal weekend violence in Haiti's capital, the United Nations said on Monday, with reports that a gang boss orchestrated the slaughter of voodoo practitioners. The killings were overseen by a «powerful gang leader» convinced that his son's illness was caused by followers of the religion, according to civil organisation the Committee for Peace and Development (CPD). «He decided to cruelly punish all elderly people and voodoo practitioners who, in his imagination, would be capable of sending a bad spell on his son,» a statement from the Haiti-based group said. «The gang's soldiers were responsible for identifying victims in their homes to take them to the chief's stronghold to be executed,» it added. UN rights commissioner Volker Turk said over the weekend that «at least 184 people were killed in violence orchestrated by the leader of a powerful gang in the Haitian capital». «These latest killings bring the death toll just this year in Haiti to a staggering 5,000 people,» he told reporters in Geneva. Both the CPD and UN said that the massacre took place in the capital's western coastal neighbourhood of Cite Soleil. Haiti has suffered from decades of instability but the situation escalated in February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in the capital Port-au-Prince to overthrow then-prime minister Ariel Henry. Gangs now control 80 percent of the city and despite a Kenyan-led police support mission, backed by the US and UN, violence has continued to soar. The CPD said that most most of the victims of violence waged on Friday and Saturday were over 60, but that some young people who tried to rescue others were also among the casualties. «Reliable sources within the community report that more than a hundred people were massacred, their bodies mutilated and burned in the street,» a statement said. More than 700,000 people are internally displaced in Haiti, half of them children, according to October figures from the UN's International Organization for Migration. Voodoo was brought to Haiti by African slaves and is a mainstay of the country's culture. It was banned during French colonial rule and only recognised as an official religion by the government in 2003. While it incorporates elements of other religious beliefs, including Catholicism, voodoo has been historically attacked by other religions. © Agence France-Presse  

The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) is conducting a study on mycorrhizal fungi in two UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the islands that it manages; the Aldabra Atoll and the Vallee de Mai. Mycorrhizal fungi form unique partnerships with plant roots, exchanging nutrients essential for survival. The fungi help plants absorb vital nutrients from the soil, while plants supply the fungi with sugars. This research, led by science officer Laura Montano and SIF’s research teams, focuses on how these fungi influence nutrient cycles in Seychelles soils. Speaking to SNA about the study, Montano emphasised: “This relationship is particularly important in Seychelles, where soils are generally nutrient-poor.” Mycorrhizal fungi are found in mangroves in Seychelles (Laura Montano) Photo license: All Rights Reserved On the Aldabra Atoll, the largest mangrove forests in Seychelles receive nutrients from various sources, including seabirds. Montano explained, “The availability of seabird-derived nutrients varies. The study will compare the presence and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in areas with high and low seabird activity to determine the role these fungi play in nutrient uptake for mangrove trees, especially in nutrient-limited zones.” The northern islands of the atoll, with their densely packed mangrove forests, are a key focus. In the Vallee de Mai, home to the largest population of coco de mer, the study will investigate whether mycorrhizal fungi enhance nutrient uptake, aiding the growth and reproduction of this iconic palm tree, known for producing the world’s largest seeds. The research will compare fungal presence and diversity in areas of low and high coco de mer densities. Montano explained that most of the samples have been collected from both sites, with soil being collected systematically using transects (linear sampling areas) and quadrats (defined square sampling areas). These methods allow for organised analysis of soil and root interactions. “The samples are now being oven-dried and frozen until analysis. The next steps involve extracting DNA from the samples in collaboration with the Seychelles Public Health Lab, followed by DNA sequencing by Scripps Research Laboratory, San Diego, United States. From the sequencing, we will be able to identify specific mycorrhizal fungus species present in the samples, helping us understand the role of these fungi in Seychelles’ ecosystems,” she said. Speaking further on the study, Montano noted that this research is among the few investigations into mycorrhizal associations with native species in Seychelles. “By enhancing our understanding of plant-fungal interactions in the local environment, this research provides valuable insights for conservation efforts. For instance, the findings could directly inform ongoing initiatives, such as the coco de mer regeneration programme.” She added that understanding how mycorrhizal fungi support coco de mer growth could help guide the selection of optimal planting sites for coco de mer seeds. Montano highlighted that the study also aims to shed light on how mycorrhizal fungi contribute to nutrient cycling in local mangrove ecosystems, particularly in areas with limited natural nutrient sources. “This is particularly important as mangroves face increasing threats from climate change and habitat degradation,” she explained. The study is funded by a $10,000 grant from the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN). This organisation is dedicated to mapping, conserving, and raising awareness about underground fungal networks. These networks play a crucial role in helping plants access nutrients and water, cycling carbon, and maintaining biodiversity, making them essential to ecosystem health and climate change mitigation.

Syria's capital woke up Sunday to chanting, cheering and gunfire in celebration of the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, after rebels said they entered the city and toppled the longtime ruler. «I can't believe I'm living this moment,» tearful Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone from the capital's Ummayad Square, where witnesses said dozens of people had gathered to celebrate. «We've been waiting a long time for this day,» said Batha, as Islamist-led rebels and a war monitor declared the end of decades of Assad family rule amid 13 years of grinding civil war. «We are starting a new history for Syria,» Batha added. At the dawn call to prayer, some mosques were broadcasting religious chants usually reserved for festive occasions, while also urging residents to stay home with the city engulfed in uncertainty just hours into the rebels' takeover. Rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied factions have pressed a lightning offensive since November 27, sweeping swathes of the country from government control, including major cities Aleppo, Hama and Homs and entering the capital Damascus early Sunday. In extraordinary images, rebel fighters announced on state television that they had toppled «tyrant» Assad, who war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said had «fled». From the garden of a shopping centre, dozens of Damascenes were celebrating, chanting «Allahu akbar», or God is greatest, and standing on a smashed statue of Assad's father Hafez that they had torn down, AFP footage showed. Gunmen spread out through some Damascus streets, shooting into the air and chanting, «Syria is ours and not the Assad family's.» - 'Criminal' - Local residents told AFP that dozens of soldiers, from the Assad government's forces, had hastily taken off their military uniforms and left the Ummayad Square headquarters. State television and radio buildings were empty, a former employee said. Five strong explosions were heard in the capital early Sunday, with a fleeing soldier, requesting anonymity, saying it was probably artillery or blasts from a munitions depot. «Our direct superior told us to leave and go home, so we knew it was over,» he told AFP. In Damascus's picturesque Old City, home to a small Christian community, young people in the streets were chanting «Syrian people are one», a message of reassurance to minority groups in the multi-confessional country. Elsewhere, in the Shaghur neighbourhood, women ululated from balconies, some throwing rice on passing fighters who were shooting into the air. Ilham Basatina, 50, said she couldn't believe that «after today», she would not longer have to «be afraid». «There is huge happiness today, and it won't be complete until the criminal has been held to account,» she said from her balcony, referring to Assad. - 'Culture of fear' - In the street, fighters in fatigues were kissing the ground, praying or taking photos as gunfire rang out. Many Syrian media workers, government employees and members of parliament quickly changed their profile pictures on social media, replacing them with the opposition flag. Waddah Abd Rabbo, editor in chief of pro-government online daily Al-Watan, wrote on social media: «Syrian media and media workers are not guilty. They, and we with them, were only carrying out instructions and publishing the news they sent us.» Assad's Baath party ruled with an iron fist, heavily curtailing freedoms including freedom of press, with only state media or outlets close to the government permitted to operate. Famous Syrian actor Ayman Zeidan, who hadn't publicly criticised the Assad rule before, wrote on Facebook: «How delusional I was. Perhaps we were prisoners of a culture of fear, or maybe we feared change because we imagined it would lead to blood and chaos.» «But here we are, entering a new phase with men who impressed us with their nobility... and the desire to restore the unity of the Syrian people,» he added. © Agence France-Presse  

Seychelles’ international attacker Natacha Bibi has joined a new club, moving from Lithuania to Italy, in a new chapter in her football career.  Bibi is actually just one of three Seychellois female footballers playing professionally abroad and will now be competing in Italy, for Caprera Calcio, a club based in Sardinia, one of the 20 regions of Italy.  Bibi, who hails from the Seychelles’ fourth largest island of La Digue, was previously playing for Lithuanian side, FK Saned Joniskis, but has now made the move to Italy, where she will be hoping her football journey can continue to move upwards.  Caprera Calcio currently plays in the Sardinia league, one level below the Serie C, the third division Italian women’s football, after being relegated last season.  Natacha Bibi with her new team mates at Caprera Calcio (Natacha Bibi) Photo License: All Rights Reserved It has been a good start for the club, and for Bibi particularly, as she got on the scoresheet in her first appearance for the club, in 5-0 win over Castello.  Bibi is proof of the strides women’s football have made so far, where along with Reena Esther and Pascalina Moustache, they are the three professional footballers from Seychelles.  Moustache played with Bibi at FK Saned Joniskis, where she recently revealed that she might also be moving to a new club this season, after a good season at the club last season, although the results did not go well.  On the other hand, Esther began life in Singapore for Still Aerion very well but has seen her season suffer a blow after a bad injury has ruled her out for some time now.

Burkina Faso's ruling military leader on Friday dismissed the country's prime minister and dissolved the government, according to a presidential decree transmitted to AFP. The sacked premier had served at the head of three successive governments, surviving each reshuffle. No reason was given for the dismissal of Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, who was named as premier in October 2022 after the coup that brought Captain Ibrahim Traore to power. «The prime minister's official functions are terminated,» said the decree, adding that members of the dissolved government would «carry out ongoing business until the formation of a new government». The west African country was plunged into instability by a January 2022 coup in which Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba seized power. Little more than eight months later, Damiba himself was overthrown by Traore, 36, who now heads the junta regime. Damiba, who ousted elected president Roch Marc Christian Kabore, is currently in exile in neighbouring Togo. - Russia 'better suited' ally - The junta has made the return of national sovereignty one of its priorities and regularly hits out against Western powers. Burkina Faso has allied with fellow Sahel nations Mali and Niger, which are also led by military juntas following a string of coups since 2020. The three nations joined together last September under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), after severing ties with former colonial ruler France and pivoting towards Russia. Burkina Faso was a French colony for the first half of the 20th century, and relations have soured with Paris following the 2022 coup. Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore last month said Burkina Faso's cooperation with Russia «better suited» his country than its historic ties with France. Along with Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso announced in January they were turning their backs on the Economic Community of West African States -- ECOWAS -- an organisation they accused of being manipulated by Paris. The three neighbours are all battling jihadist violence that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 and spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. In Burkina Faso, about two million people have been forced to flee their homes by the conflict, which has killed more than 26,000 people since 2015, including soldiers and civilians, according to monitoring group ACLED. Moscow has sent military instructors there -- as well as to several other African countries -- to help in the fight against Islamist violence. © Agence France-Presse  

Seychelles’ President Wavel Ramkalawan has called for patience from the Seychellois people as investigations into last year’s December 7 devastating explosion at the Civil Construction Company Limited (CCCL) explosive stores in Cascade continue.  Speaking in a televised address on Saturday morning of the first anniversary of the twin tragedies of the explosions and flooding in northern Mahe on the same night and morning, Ramkalawan assured the public that authorities are working diligently to uncover the causes of the explosion and provide solutions for those affected.  “Unfortunately, certain elements still need to be clarified,” Ramkalawan revealed, adding that key questions remain about the origins of the explosion. “One critical aspect revolves around the jeep and the two guards whose bravery took them to the site of the explosion. They reported seeing fire—a red blaze—which prompted the call to the fire brigade.”  He said it was fortunate the fire brigade had initially been dispatched to Providence instead of CCCL, as this decision likely saved their lives. However, he posed the key unresolved questions: “How did a fire start in such heavy rain and bad weather? Was there foul play? Did someone deliberately set the fire? How exactly did the explosion occur?”  The President confirmed that law enforcement and experts are working to determine if the incident was a criminal act or due to another cause. “These questions will be resolved,” he said. “Through those answers, we will know how to move forward and find solutions.”  Rebuilding and compensation  Ramkalawan also addressed ongoing efforts to support victims of the disasters, which claimed lives and caused widespread damage. “We are working to restore life as close to normal as possible,” he said. However, he acknowledged the challenges faced by many residents, including delays in reconstruction and repairs.  The government has spent SCR 86.3 million ($6.1 million) in recovery efforts over the past year and discussions with CCCL are underway to establish an independent compensation fund for affected residents and businesses. “This fund will be managed by independent individuals, and CCCL will contribute depending on the outcomes of ongoing discussions,” Ramkalawan explained.  He noted that compensation would not be immediate due to the widespread impact but assured residents that it would be fairly distributed. “We must also remember that businesses were affected, not just residential homes. They too deserve appropriate compensation,” he emphasised.  The majority of businesses were affected at Providence Industrial Estate, which is directly opposite the CCCL. Reflections on a tragic anniversary  The President paid tribute to the lives lost during the disasters, including Dorothy, Yassent, and Hakim, who died in the flooding and landslides in north Mahe, the main island, and extended his condolences to their families. “On this first anniversary of their passing, I want to once again express my sincere condolences to all the families,” he said.  Reflecting on the events of December 6–7, 2023, Ramkalawan described the double calamity as “one of the greatest tragedies Seychelles has faced.” He praised the resilience of the Seychellois people, particularly the emergency services and volunteers who rallied together to provide assistance.  “I want to thank everyone—those who came as friends, complete strangers who showed solidarity, and places that offered shelter to those with nowhere to sleep,” he said, adding, “Let us continue to stand united as one nation, one people.”  Looking Ahead Ramkalawan promised transparency and regular updates on the investigation and recovery efforts. “As always, I will be the first to come forward and speak with you about how things are progressing,” he said, adding that another public meeting will be held with affected residents before the year’s end to finalise plans for compensation and rebuilding.  He concluded by urging patience and solidarity among the Seychellois people. “December 7 will forever remain in our memory as a day of tragedy, but we must move forward with confidence,” he said

Seychellois singer Tania Jerimie, better known by her stage name “Taniah,” has become the first artist from the island nation to win an ODA Award as one of the winners for the East African Super Star category, along with artists from countries such as Uganda, South Sudan, Somaliland, and Djibouti. The award ceremony took place on Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Jeremie, along with many other artists, were recognised for their contributions to music and their latest works. Winners of the East African Super Star category (ODA Awards) Photo license: All Rights Reserved The ODA Award is a pioneering platform that recognises and rewards excellence in the Ethiopian art industry. Organised by Beshatu Tolemariam Multimedia (BTM), the award honours artists across generations, showcasing Africa’s rich cultural heritage and fostering creativity. For Jeremie, “This award means that I have reached a new milestone in my music career, and also that my work is recognised and being appreciated, not locally, but on the continent as well.” Her latest album, “Vokalis,” has been making waves in Seychelles. She noted that while she was not expecting her latest album would be such a huge success, she does not think that this award had much to do with that but feels that it is acknowledgment for her works over the years. The goal of the ODA Award's creation was to provide a distinguished platform for celebrating and acknowledging Ethiopian artistic talent, and later others in the region. From 2017 to 2024, the ODA Award has honoured and celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of over 670 nominees in its seven previous editions. In its 7th edition, the award expanded its reach by honouring legendary artists from East Africa, further solidifying its role as a key platform for regional recognition and collaboration. “Being the first Seychellois artist to win this award is an honour of course, and for sure it opens doors for more artists to be recognised and for their work to be appreciated,” said Taniah, adding that whilst in Ethiopia, she will be doing her best to network and look to open more doors, as she feels that it’s important that more Seychellois talents are rewarded. The ODA Award has developed into one of Ethiopia's most prestigious art events from its modest beginnings. As the ODA Award enters its eighth edition in 2024, it plans to continue to inspire the next generation, promote creativity, and introduce the world to the diversity of Ethiopian and African culture.

IIslamist-led rebels were within striking distance of Syria's third city Homs on Friday after seizing control of two strategic towns in a lightning sweep, a war monitor said. «Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied factions have reached five kilometres (three miles) from the outskirts of Homs city» after capturing Rastan and Talbisseh, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. He said controlling Homs would allow the rebels to «cut off the main road leading to the Syrian coast», the stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite minority. Homs is south of Hama, which Islamist group HTS and allied fighters captured on Thursday, just days after taking second city Aleppo from the government. Rebel military commander Hassan Abdel Ghani said in a statement on Telegram on Friday that «our forces continue to march steadily towards the city of Homs». He said «hundreds» of fighters who had been forced to leave Homs years ago after the government retook it had returned «to deter Assad's aggression against their city». Homs was once dubbed the «capital of the revolution» because of the large-scale protests in the city when Syria's uprising began in March 2011. In the conflict's early years, Homs saw fierce battles between opposition factions and the Syrian army, which took control of the city in 2014 after fighters withdrew from its devastated Old City under a settlement deal, following two years of siege and bombardment. Between March and May 2017, thousands were evacuated from Waer, Homs's last rebel-held neighbourhood, allowing regime forces to retake full control. The city has also seen violence against its Alawite community. In April 2014, at least 100 people, mostly civilians, were killed in twin attacks in Homs that targeted a majority Alawite neighbourhood. The attacks were claimed by the Al-Nusra Front, the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda which now HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani previously led. Jolani announced his group had cut ties with the jihadists in 2016, and Al-Nusra was dissolved the following year, to be replaced by the key component of HTS. The Britain-based Observatory had said tens of thousands of Alawite residents were fleeing Homs on Thursday towards the coast, fearing the rebel advance. © Agence France-Presse  

A day before Ghana's election, residents of Accra's Odododiodio district have only two names in mind: ruling NPP party candidate Mahamudu Bawumia or the opposition's John Mahama. When Ghanaians last voted for a president in 2020, districts like Odododiodio went down to the wire between candidates for the two major parties who have rotated power between them almost equally since 1992. Last time, the opposition National Democractic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate won the district by just a few thousand votes and Mahama won in the district, even though New Patriotic Party (NPP) won the presidency. Saturday's presidential race will be in part won or lost in districts of Greater Accra like Odododiodio, a mostly ramshackle market area near the capital's Atlantic Coast. Following Ghana's debt default, the economy has been the major focus for voters worried about 23 percent inflation, high joblessness and the cost of living. Who is to blame and who will manage Ghana better is still up for debate for Odododiodio, usually a strongly NDC area. «When you go over there its NPP, when you go just over there it's NDC. It's divided,» said Emmalyn Asiamah, 21, a beautician voting for the first time and for former president Mahama. «We have to vote for change, my family is all NDC,» she said, before breaking into the party chant, «Eyezu Eyeza», a local Ewe language slogan translating roughly to «Good for the presidency, and the parliament». Nearby, residents enjoyed the public holiday after the end of campaigning, lounging in chairs in the street to watch a television broadcasting «X,Y,Z», an NDC-backed channel. But public accountant Samuel Laryea, 44, was not deterred from his choice of voting for NPP despite the ruling party parliamentary loss in the district in 2020. «It's mostly NDC here, but NPP has won before,» he said. «This time we have a better candidate.» Blaming the global fallout of the Russian Ukraine war for Ghana's economic crisis, he said former central bank official and current Vice President Bawumia was best to lead Ghana forward. In 2020, then NNP candidate and President Nana Akufo-Addo won 44.03% of the district's vote versus 55.3% for Mahama, a former president who has failed twice to win the country's top seat again. «I've not seen anything good from John Mahama,» Laryea said. - Economic debate - Once an investor favourite with a history of political stability, Ghana slipped into economic crisis in 2022, prompting a debt default and a deal with the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion bailout. NPP supporters blame Russia's war and the pandemic for their economic woes; critics say Akufo-Addo's government and his economic team manager Bawumia spent too heavily on social programmes and mismanaged the debt load. A UK-educated economist, Bawumia has sought to distance himself from criticism over economic planning, saying the outlook is improving and promoting digitalisation to ease business. He promises also to keep up the NPP's free education and health policies. Rival Mahama says he wants to create «24-hour economy», essentially extending industrial hours to create more jobs and increase output. With both candidates coming from northern Ghana -- traditionally an NDC stronghold but now more fragmented -- the region is seen as a key battleground. But in such a tight race, the Greater Accra area -- the most vote-dense region -- may also be a major fight. «This year's election is so close to the point that you can even see from the rate at which the campaigns of the two political parties are campaigning,» said Tutu Boahen, an Accra political communication strategist. Jobs and high cost of living weighed heavily on the decision for Odododiodio residents, but so too did generational politics in the neighbourhood. Sitting together waiting for the election on Saturday, neighbourhood friends Derek Nii Ayetey and Collins Nettey both said they see Ghana's economy as a major concern. But both will follow family tradition, Ayetey faithful to the NDC and Nettey the NPP. «The whole family is voting for NDC, it's a generation thing,» Ayetey said sitting out in the street with his friend. «The economy is not good,» said Nettey, a security guard. «I'm going with Bawumia so the economy will get better for my daughter.» © Agence France-Presse  

The Seychelles Police Force intervened at Montagne Posee Prison on the main island of Mahe throughout Thursday night to restore order after inmates staged a riot in the male block against prison officers, taking four prison officers hostage and resulting in the death of one prisoner. According to information from the police, the riot only tapered off on Friday morning. Speaking to the media in the morning, the Commissioner of Prison, Janet Georges, confirmed that the riot happened after an inmate, Stephan Mondon, was put in an isolation cell. Georges stated that this inmate has a lot of influence amongst the other prisoners and is allegedly linked to drug trafficking in the prison and that may be the reason why the other prisoners demanded his release from the isolation cell. This was around 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, when the rioting started. Mondon is in prison for the importation of drugs. He was sentenced in 2020 to 8 years' imprisonment for importing 33.8553 kilogrammes of cannabis resin in 2017, to which he had pleaded guilty. “They wanted us to release the inmate Stephan Mondon from isolation. In my opinion, it is not acceptable for prisoners to negotiate the release of an individual who is known to be a danger to others in and outside of prison. This is when I sought the assistance of the police, to intervene. We stood our ground and refused; this is why the riots began. We cannot let them do what they want, they are not the ones in control of the prison,” Georges said. She noted that not all prisoners of the male block took part in the riot and had remained cooperative. She also confirmed that all four prisoner officers, who had been taken hostage had been released. The police also released a statement saying that one chief inspector of the Seychelles Prison Services had been taken hostage. Concerning the overall situation at the prison at present, Georges admitted that while the riot had tapered off this morning, possibly due to exhaustion from the inmates, there are still a number of them who are attempting to continue the riot. Videos on social media of violence Over the course of last night, many videos surfaced on social media from the inmates themselves who were using prohibited mobile devices to film themselves and the riots happening. The videos showed the inmates throwing objects such as rocks at the prison officers who were attempting to subdue them, some had steel bars and other objects. Fires had been set to mattresses and a makeshift barricade had been made to prevent officers from entering that part of the prison. Georges confirmed that both a number of officers and a number of inmates had suffered injuries. Death of inmate Also present at the press conference, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Francis Songoire, stated that the most serious case was the death of an inmate. He confirmed that the death happened at some point during the riots, and in the meantime, an investigation has started regarding this. “It’s still too early to confirm the circumstances and exact causes of his death.” He clarified, however, that all officers intervening in the riot used non-lethal weapons. “It did not take a long time for us to be able to breach the barricade. Following negotiations at that time, three of our officers were released, though the fourth individual who was a senior officer was held for longer though he was eventually released,” Georges said. She added that “The hostages were not injured, though mentally this will affect them since it’s the first time this has happened to them. In the case of our senior officer, the inmates were attempting to remove his clothing, we don’t know their motives. He had to go straight to the hospital afterwards because of his high blood pressure; an ambulance was waiting for him.” Damage to prison facilities Georges noted that the riot also caused quite a bit of damage to the prison, and she is grateful to the officers who stayed up all night to help with the cleanup of the damage and the vandalised facilities. “We’ve tried our best so that the place is at least usable. We’ve had to move some prisoners to other areas so that they have a place to stay,” she added. Furthermore, she expects that there will be complaints from the prisoners, especially regarding the mattresses and plywood support for the beds and even water damage but pointed out that they were the ones “who tore apart the plywood, set fire to the mattresses and filled barrels of water to throw on the officers.” Georges also clarified the rumours regarding inmates escaping. She confirmed that this was not the case and that the only prisoners outside of prison at the moment are those receiving medical treatment at the hospital. She said that the Prison Services will stand its ground and that the inmate the prisoner wished to see released would not be. “For the moment, he remains in the isolation cell. However, due to the character and attitudes of the inmates we have, we don’t think he should be associated again with the male block. We have other options at the prison to accommodate him, therefore, especially now at present, with the situation the way it is he will not be taken back to the male block.” Through a press release, the Minister for Internal Affairs, Errol Fonseka, also commented on the situation. “The Ministry strongly condemns the actions of those who instigated and participated in this act of unrest. Such behaviour undermines the collective efforts toward rehabilitation and poses a threat to the safety and well-being of others. Rest assured, we will conduct a thorough investigation to hold accountable those responsible for the unrest, ensuring that justice is served,” he said.

The official poster for the 2025 Beach Soccer World Cup, which will be held in Seychelles, has officially been unveiled. The poster, which will be the main image promoting the showpiece event, was unveiled during a ceremony held at the Family House in Bel Eau this week, in the presence of the Minister for Youth, Sports and Family, Marie-Celine Zialor, the principal secretary for Youth and Sports, Ralph Jean-Louis, and FIFA and Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) representatives. The poster's stamp-like design evokes the sentimental experience of receiving a postcard and represents Seychelles' hospitable nature. Ten children from ten different schools took part in the launch, sporting T-shirts with the poster design on the back, lending the occasion a dash of youthful energy. The president of the SFF, Elvis Chetty, described the poster as not just an image. “Its theme of nostalgia is brought to life through vibrant colours that reflect the stunning ocean and the natural beauty that Seychelles is renowned for,” said Chetty, adding, “At the heart of the poster is a dynamic player, embodying the athleticism and excitement of the sport we all love.” Zialor said, “This creative launch marks an exciting milestone as Seychelles prepares to host this globally celebrated sporting event,” and “that will not only bring together athletes from different parts of the world but also tourists who will not only experience this prestigious event on Seychelles soil but also get to experience our Creole culture and tradition.” The 2025 tournament will take place between May 1 and May 11, with 16 nations set to compete, including the hosts, Seychelles, who will be participating in their first-ever global football tournament. Tahiti, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belarus, Senegal and Mauritania have already qualified for the 16-team tournament, leaving another eight places available. This unveiling marks another milestone as Seychelles moves closer towards being the first African nation to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, where just last week, the official match ball that will be used during the tournament was revealed. The custom match ball has been designed by the popular brand Adidas and will be used for all 32 matches and training sessions during the tournament. Next year, the SFF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family and FIFA, will launch a colouring competition for schoolchildren aged six to ten, and the winning artworks will be showcased at the stadium fan experience during the Beach Soccer World Cup. This is not the first time Seychelles has hosted an international beach soccer tournament. In 2015, the island nation hosted the COSAFA Beach Soccer Cup and the Beach Soccer African Nations Championship (AFCON). In the first edition of the COSAFA tournament in 2015, Madagascar was the winner. The team was selected to compete at the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 and was again the winner. The first edition of the Beach Soccer World Cup held outside Brazil was in 2008 in Marseille, France. The most recent edition in 2024 was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Brazil were crowned champions for the sixth time after defeating Italy 6–4 in the final. 

The Democratic Republic of Congo said Thursday it was on «maximum alert» over a mystery disease that has killed dozens of people in just over a month. The illness causes flu-like symptoms -- fever, cough and headaches -- and has been described by Congolese authorities as «an unknown public health event». First detected in late October, cases have so far been limited to the Panzi region, around 700 kilometres (435 miles) southeast of the capital, Kinshasa. «We are on maximum alert, we consider this to be a level of epidemic that we need to monitor,» Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba told reporters in Kinshasa. «In the health centres, we have counted 27 dead,» he said. He added that another 44 deaths had been reported in the community but «other possible causes» could be involved in these. Access to the region is difficult by road and health infrastructure is lacking. Residents also face a shortage of drinking water and medicine. Just over 60 percent of people in the region suffer from malnutrition, especially children, making it one of the highest rates in the country, Kamba said. He recalled that the region had already suffered a serious typhoid fever epidemic two years ago. According to initial data, the unidentified disease particularly affects younger people, with 40 percent of cases among under fives. Epidemiologists have been sent to Panzi to take samples. Specialists have ruled out coronavirus but have concluded it is a disease that affects the respiratory system, the minister said. «We don't know if we are dealing with a viral disease or a bacterial disease,» Dieudonne Mwamba, director general of the National Public Health Institute, said during an online press briefing by the African Union's health watchdog, Africa CDC. «We don't even know the mode of transmission,» Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya said. Among the 27 deaths in health centres, 17 people died after suffering respiratory distress, the minister said. Ten died from a lack of transfusion due to a state of severe anaemia. The DRC, one of the world's poorest countries, has in recent months been at the epicentre of an outbreak of mpox, with more than 1,000 deaths. © Agence France-Presse  

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday sought a new prime minister to prevent France from sliding deeper into political turmoil after Michel Barnier's government was ousted in a historic no-confidence vote in parliament. Contemporary France's shortest-serving premier, Barnier met Macron at the Elysee Palace to submit his resignation after Wednesday's parliamentary defeat forced his government to step down. The vote was the first successful no-confidence action since a defeat for Georges Pompidou's government in 1962, when Charles de Gaulle was president. «The prime minister today submitted the resignation of his government» to Macron, who has «taken note» of the resignation, the Elysee said. Barnier and his ministers remain «in charge of daily business until the appointment of a new government», it added. It remains unclear when the new prime minister will be appointed. But, unlike on previous occasions, the president appears in a hurry to appoint the new premier to avoid a vacuum, according to multiple sources who spoke to AFP. Macron, who only returned late Wednesday from a state visit to Saudi Arabia, was to meet both lower-house National Assembly speaker Yael Braun-Pivet and her upper-house Senate counterpart Gerard Larcher before giving an address to the nation at 1900 GMT. Braun-Pivet, a member of the president's centrist faction, urged Macron to quickly choose a new premier, saying that France could not be allowed to «drift» for long. Limiting any impression of political chaos is all the more important for Macron who on Saturday will host world leaders -- including US president-elect Donald Trump -- for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris after a devastating 2019 fire. - 'Macron alone' - A majority of lawmakers on Wednesday supported the no-confidence vote proposed by the hard left and backed by the far right headed by Marine Le Pen . Barnier's ejection in record time comes after snap parliamentary elections in June resulted in a hung parliament. No political force was able to form an overall majority and the far right held the key to the government's survival. The trigger for Barnier's ouster was his 2025 budget plan including austerity measures unacceptable to a majority in parliament, but which he argued were necessary to stabilise France's finances. On Monday he forced through a social security financing bill without a vote, but the ousting of the government means France is still without a budget. «Macron alone in the face of an unprecedented political crisis,» said the Le Monde daily in its headline. «France probably won't have a 2025 budget,» said ING Economics in a note, predicting that the country «is entering a new era of political instability». Moody's, a ratings agency, warned that Barnier's fall «deepens the country's political stalemate» and «reduces the probability of a consolidation of public finances». The Paris stock exchange fell at the opening on Thursday before recovering to show small gains. Yields on French government bonds were again under pressure in debt markets. Strike calls across transport, education and other public sector services were maintained on Thursday despite the disappearance of the austerity budget that has prompted anger. - Early elections? - New legislative elections cannot be called until a year after the previous ones in summer 2024. But while Macron has more than two years of his presidential term left, some opponents are calling on him to resign to break the deadlock. «We are now calling on Macron to go,» said Mathilde Panot, head of the parliamentary faction of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, urging «early presidential elections». Macron has vehemently rejected such a scenario, calling it «political fiction». Taking care not to crow over the government's fall, Le Pen said in a television interview that, once a new premier was appointed, her party «would let them work» and help create a «budget that is acceptable for everyone». She also, conspicuously, did not call on Macron to resign. Barnier is the fifth prime minister to serve under Macron since he came to power in 2017. Each successive premier has served for a shorter period and, given the composition of the National Assembly, there is no guarantee that Barnier's successor would last any longer. Loyalist Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Macron's centrist ally Francois Bayrou have been touted as possible contenders, as has former Socialist premier and interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve. Bayrou, who leads the MoDem party, had lunch with the president at the Elysee, a source close to him told AFP. © Agence France-Presse

Seychelles' Minister for Youth, Sports, and Family, Marie-Celine Zialor, has called for increased financial support to promote strong family values and prevent social ills. Speaking at a Family Conference organised by her Ministry this week, Zialor emphasised the need to prioritise prevention, advocacy, and education in addressing family-related challenges. “We want to portray the family in a positive light and not just social problems. The work that our Ministry does is not the same as the Ministry responsible for Social Affairs, it rather complements each other. They look at when issues have already happened in the family and what solutions can be implemented, we look more at prevention, advocacy and most importantly; education,” said Zialor. The conference, aimed at raising national awareness about the evolving needs of Seychellois families, also highlighted gaps in current support systems. Zialor said, “We are supposed to have services available that look at the needs of the family at present and in the future as well, and I don’t think we are doing enough. At the community level, there isn’t enough support for families.” To address these shortcomings, the Ministry is developing several special projects. One such initiative is a pilot programme called ‘Respite,’ which will provide relief for parents of disabled children and full-time caregivers. “Right now, we’re going to start a pilot project called ‘Respite’ for parents who have disabled children or even people who are caregivers day and night, to give them relief. This needs to be decentralised but we don’t have enough capacity, so to help mitigate, we’ve also trained some District Administrators as well to help out,” she explained. She stressed the need for better collaboration across government departments and a reassessment of resource allocation to ensure families receive adequate support. “We want to work with the Ministry responsible for Finance to ask that more resources be allocated towards prevention. There needs to be a review of the way that resources are allocated amongst the different departments and services for people; more synergies.” Zialor also advocated for a return to community-driven family support. “Sometimes, people just need a little support. In the past, communities helped each other, and this is something we want to promote. I want to help people who are helping themselves,” she said, adding that the special projects will be extended to local communities. The conference saw the official launch of the Ministry’s website, which Zialor described as a symbolic milestone. While not fully operational, she assured the public that the website will soon be available as a resource for information on the Ministry’s services. She concluded by reiterating the central role of families in society and the importance of harmonising efforts to strengthen their foundations: “Strong and harmonious families should be at the forefront of society.”

The process of creating an adequate framework and policy for blue carbon in Seychelles is in the final stages. During one of the final consultation meetings, stakeholders met on Wednesday on the main island of Mahe to finalise and validate the work that has been ongoing since July of this year.  Speaking to the media about this project, one of the consultants working on the project, Dr Ameer Ebrahim said that this project is meant to align the policies of the country in a way that blue carbon is well integrated.  “These ecosystems; mangroves and seagrass are marvellous, they benefit the country in many aspects that most Seychellois don’t realise at times, of which they provide habitats for certain fish species, they help with flood mitigation, and they are also excellent carbon sinks; even more efficient than rainforests,” said Ebrahim.  Ebrahim added that they have ensured that there was an extensive consultative process. “We’ve been working on this project since July this year, after getting everyone’s feedback, we looked at everyone’s perception of blue carbon; in general, we found that there was a lack of understanding regarding what blue carbon is exactly, specifically certain government departments. We found this rather concerning because when you are developing a project, our laws should be aligned with commitments that the country has signed or agreed to be a part of,” he explained. Blue carbon refers to the carbon that is captured and stored by marine and coastal ecosystems and it is important because it can capture carbon dioxide up to four times faster than terrestrial forests. To note, Seychelles has pledged to protect 50 percent of its seagrass and mangrove habitat by 50 percent in 2025 and 100 percent by 2030. The director general for Climate Change at the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Justin Prosper, highlighted the importance of having a proper framework in place for blue carbon, adding that “This policy will help us meet the commitments that we have made as a country regarding the protection of blue carbon ecosystems.”  Answering questions regarding carbon credits and the perception behind them, Prosper concluded that in the first instance, a policy and framework are necessary before this is even considered. This refers to the widespread criticism that that carbon credits do not work effectively to reduce emissions and that voluntary carbon markets are little more than greenwashing mechanisms.  Ebrahim clarified that following this last consultative meeting, the final draft of the blue carbon policy will be handed over to the Seychelles’ government by next week.