Day: May 12, 2023

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Malta and Seychelles to deepen cooperation in health and education sectors

Seychellois doctors will be able to attend medical schools in Malta and there will be further exchanges in the education and health sectors after the two countries agreed to further deepen their relationship during a meeting on Friday afternoon.

The two island states signed agreements on health cooperation, which will facilitate and strengthen bilateral institutional cooperation in the health sector and they have agreed to establish a joint commission on bilateral cooperation – which will pave the way for more regular consultations on the state of cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, Dr Ian Borg, and Seychelles’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, signed the agreements on Friday afternoon at Maison Queau de Quincy – the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the main island of Mahe.

Borg, who had just landed in the western Indian Ocean island state, is on a 48-hour official visit at Radegonde’s invitation.

During his visit he had discussions with some ministers along with his Radegonde to discuss various areas of cooperation.

New areas the two island states will cooperate in are tourism and the Blue Economy.

“Similar to Seychelles, tourism is an important sector of Malta’s economy,” said Radegonde.

“We have discussed ways on how best the two countries can work together to enhance the visibility of both destinations and maximise the revenue from this very lucrative industry,” explained Radegonde.

He went on to explain that due to the fruitful discussions held, there will be “technical exchanges, training in product development and digital marketing.

Meanwhile, as Malta is currently an elected member of the United Nations Security Council, Borg said that his country – also an island state – “will advocate on the issue of climate change”.

Malta has already set the ball rolling, when it brought up the issue of rising sea levels at the UN Security Council in February this year.

In addition to finding new avenues for cooperation, the two countries will continue working in already established areas, such as maritime security.

Malta is part of the EU NAVFOR Atalanta efforts and is at “the forefront of maritime laws”.

Seychellois students have previously benefited from studying maritime law in Malta.

The countries established diplomatic relations 34 years ago.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

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Seychelles mourns former First Lady Geva Rene: island girl, teacher, defender of children’s rights

Seychelles is mourning and remembering one of its beloved daughters, who was a teacher and an ardent protector and defender of children and their rights; former First Lady Geva Rene, née Adam.

Aged 90, Rene passed away on Thursday afternoon. She is survived by her sons Glenny, David and Francis Savy and seven grandchildren.

Rene was the second wife of President France Albert Rene, and they were married between 1975 and 1992. It was her second marriage, following the death of her first husband, Michel Savy.

For the Seychellois people, she was the epitome of an impeccably dressed First Lady, beautiful and graceful and kind towards everyone, who took the spotlight at public events in the 1980s. Her refinement and fashion sense were admired by all. She loved wearing hats for most occasions but sometimes she kept her long hair braided on the side. This image can be found in a stained-glass artwork at the Children’s Ark, a facility for child therapy, at Bel Eau on the main island of Mahe.

French First Lady Danielle Mitterand, President France Albert Rene and First Lady Geva Rene during President François Mitterand’s official visit to Seychelles in 1990 (personal family archive) Photo license: All Rights Reserved

Geva Rene has left a profound legacy where the protection of children and rights of children are concerned. She was the founder and patron of the National Council of Children (NCC), the Children’s Ark and the President’s Village orphanage.

In 1978, when the United Nations declared the International Year of the Child, Rene was instrumental in the setting up of the first Children’s Playground on Mahe, which opened later.

Childhood on the outer islands and becoming a teacher

Rene was born in the capital of Victoria to Louis Adam and Angela (née Uzice) from Praslin – the second most populated island of Seychelles – on October 30, 1932. She spent most of her childhood on the outer islands of the archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, where her father was an island manager and administrator.

According to her son, Captain David Savy, Rene was home-schooled by her mother, a teacher herself, alongside her other siblings, until the age of 11.

“She then went to school at the Saint Joseph Convent where she excelled, and after finishing her secondary schooling known as the High School Certificate, she was awarded a scholarship to study the UK to do her degree in teaching,” Savy told SNA on Friday.

Back on the islands in the mid 1950’s, she went on to occupy senior teaching posts as head teacher at Seychelles College and Modern School.

“She got married in 1958 to Michel Savy and went on to have three sons, Glenny, myself and Francis. In 1963, she returned to the UK for postgraduate studies in child psychology and education,” added Savy.

Following the death of her husband in a plane accident, she met France Albert Rene and they were married in 1975 until 1992, making her Seychelles’ first and longest-serving First Lady.

Contribution to the education sector

Aside from her remarkable work and contribution to children and the rights of children, Rene also made important contributions to education. Dedicated to the teaching profession, she helped to establish the first Teacher Training College and the Seychelles International School.

Former TV journalist and producer Jean Claude Matombe got to know Rene when he joined the National Council for Children in 1998. “Like many of us I knew her as the First Lady, but got to work with Mrs Rene and developed a lasting friendship during my work at NCC.”

“What stood up with Madam Rene was her love, passion, and devotion to the cause of children, their betterment. In fact, she loved families. One thing also is that in her heart she remained a teacher. Often, she shared how being a teacher has been some of the best times of her life… she also had an incredible sense of humour,” Matombe recalled to SNA.

Geva Rene adored children and dedicated her life to their protection and welfare (personal family archive) Photo license: All Rights Reserved

According to Matombe, when dealing with difficult children, Rene would often bring them to her home, to spend the night and for her to better understand and help them.

The former NCC communications executive added that Rene had a deep sense of gratitude and would always make the people be aware of it.

“Mrs Rene always had little treats for everybody, sweets and chocolates which she would share with us all. She also loved local fruits such as the tamarin, which she would always share with all of us staff.”

This, according to Matombe, led to a culture of sharing at the NCC. In 2011, Rene started to retire from NCC and the public eye, but Matombe kept in close contact with her.

“I was privileged to attend her 90th birthday last year and only three weeks ago myself and an ex-NCC director paid her a visit. Upon coming and when leaving, Rene blew us kisses,” Matombe told SNA on Friday.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

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Seychellois sports specialist elected to African Union Sports Council region IV

Seychellois sports specialist Lucas Georges has been elected as an executive expert on the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) for region IV.

Georges, who works as a principal sports officer within the National Sports Council (NSC) in Seychelles, has decades of experience in local sports, most notably cycling, where he served as the Seychelles Cycling Federation’s chairman for a number of years.

He has also held the positions on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) management committee.

His election on the AUSC region IV executive committee came during their recent meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania, earlier this month.

Speaking to the media, Georges expressed that this is a huge achievement for him, where it means that his ability is valued at such a top level.

The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) is the AU’s specialised technical office in charge of sports and was established in 2016 when the Assembly of African Heads of State and Government approved the AUSC Statute.

It was chosen by member states to serve as a venue for concerted action for the promotion and development of sports and development through sport in Africa. Its mandate is to coordinate the African Sports Union Movement.

Bernard Patrick Ogwel was elected into the post of chairman, while Ali Hassan Achir is the new vice- chairman.

Seychelles is a member of region IV, along with Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Mauritius, and Comoros.

As a result of Georges’ election, Seychelles has been additionally appointed a 2nd vice president of the African Union Sports Council of Ministers, a position that was expected to go to Rwanda ahead of the meeting.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

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Political line of independents supportive of July 25 process (MP)

The political line of the bloc of independents, a total of 38 MPs, endorses July 25 process, said deputy Riadh Jaidan.

Three seats will be allocated to the bloc at the Assembly of People’s Representatives (French: ARP), as set out in Article 31 of the rules of procedure, the independent MP further told TAP.

The parliamentary group will be represented in the 13 standing committees on the basis of proportional representation pursuant to Article 52 of rules of procedure, Jaidan (France 3 constituency) added.

Independent MPs will pick their representatives in the parliament bureau and committees by consensus; if no consensus is reached, representatives will be elected.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

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Spokesperson for ‘July 25 Movement’ urges reviewing appointments at Interior Ministry

Spokesperson for the «July 25 Movement» Mahmoud Ben Mabrouk called to review the appointments made during the «black decade» at the Interior Ministry and the Tunisian administration, “brimming by Ennahdha supporters.

Moreover, labelling the Djerba shooting as «terrorist attack» aims at sabotaging the tourist season, he added during a press conference.

He also said that some ministers are working against the process «despite the President’s trust in them.»

«Dubious appointments have been made in the Prime Ministry,» he said, calling for «a ministerial reshuffle or dismissal of the government as soon as possible.»

On another level, he said the insistence of the Tunisian General Labour Union’s Secondary Education Federation on not handing over grades to the administration for the first and second terms is «a real scandal.»

«Dialogue is no longer possible and it is time to proceed with deductions from teachers’ salaries and cancel the extended holidays,» he insisted.

For the member of the political bureau Ahmed Rakrouki, the UGTT has deviated from its historical role. He stressed the urgency that the union «return to its initial role in history because its current history is tarnished by fraud and corruption.»

He also accused the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) of squandering public money, proposing «disbanding the body and electing a new independent body that guarantees transparent elections.»

Similarly, president of the political bureau Abderrazek Khallouli stressed that the party will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone accusing them of fraud or denigrating them for having supported the July 25 process.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

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“Tunisia will remain safe, despite desperate attempts to undermine its stability” says Head of State in meeting with some government members

The general situation in the country “in the aftermath of the criminal operation that took place on the island of Djerba” and the follow-up of the measures taken during the meeting of the National Security Council held last Wednesday, were the focus of a meeting held by President of the Republic Kais Saied, Friday afternoon at Carthage Palace, with Prime Minister Najla Bouden Romdhane, Minister of Justice Leïla Jaffel, Minister of National Defence Imad Mamish, Minister of Interior Kamal Elfeki, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar.

Besides, the president stressed that “Tunisia will remain safe, despite the desperate attempts to undermine its stability, “praising” the efforts deployed by the armed, military and security forces to thwart the plans aimed at the institutions of the state and civil peace,” says a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic.

“Those who plan to shed blood are the same ones who seek to create crises, through various means, to inflame economic and social conditions and to abuse people’s power and livelihoods,” he added.

Commenting on the positions of some capitals on this criminal operation, the Head of State expressed his sincere thanks to the countries that have declared their sympathy for the Tunisian people, reiterating his “rejection of any foreign interference, considering that the sovereignty of Tunisia and the sovereignty of the people within the homeland are two lines that no one can cross.

“Strangely, we are in the 21st century and some people are still talking about Shem and Ham, unless they want to keep the seeds of division and profit from this discourse,” said Saied.

In this context, he mentioned several legal texts related to the freedom of belief and freedom to practice religious rites, such as the Constitution of July 25, 2022, the Law No. 78 of 1958 on the System of Rites of the Mosaic Religion, the Journal of Obligations and Contracts and the Journal of Civil and Commercial Pleadings, which “prohibit any act of execution against Jews on the Sabbath and a number of their religious days, and prohibit the same acts against Muslims and Christians, as stated in chapter 292 of the aforementioned Journal”.

The meeting also discussed the need to “cleanse the public administration of all those who work within it to disrupt its normal functioning”. In this regard, the President stressed that “ministries, public institutions and others cannot carry out their duties in the presence of those who work within them for the benefit of a certain entity and not for the public interest”.

The President of the Republic also stressed the need for “the total involvement of judges, in this delicate historical phase experienced by Tunisia, to call to account all those who have dared and still dare to jeopardise civil peace or alter the capacities of the people and the beloved homeland.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

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New support mechanism for agriculture sector launched in Tunisia

A new specific support mechanism for the agricultural sector in Tunisia has been set up by the European Union (EU) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICD), says a press release published Friday in Tunis.

Launched as part of the “Support for Sustainable Development in the Agricultural and Artisanal Fisheries Sector in Tunisia” (ADAPT) programme, this support mechanism consists of a support fund – cereals component – of 18 million euros, intended to help small producers to overcome the increase in production costs and to adapt their cultivation techniques to climate change.

The ADAPT programme is funded by the EU to the tune of pound 44.4 million – and implemented by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency in partnership with the World Food Programme.

The mechanism initially concerns three collectors mandated by the Office des Céréales, including two seed collectors.

These include the private company “Comptoir Multiservices Agricoles -CMA”, leader in the collection of consumer cereals in Tunisia with an average of 30% of the national cereal collection (collection rate for the 2021-2022 campaign), the “Société Mutuelle Centrale de Semences – COSEM” and the “Société de Semences Sélectionnées – SOSEM”, national leaders in the multiplication and marketing of selected seeds, which contribute 47% and 28% of the areas destined for the production of seeds in Tunisia (for the 2022-2023 campaign).

The said collectors will receive a financial contribution of a total amount of about 800,000 euros.

Agreements were signed on May 12, 2023 with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), which provide for this contribution to help reduce the amount of credit repayments made to approximately 1,000 male and female farmers during the 2022-2023 season.

The reduction is 28% on their invoices for expenses eligible for this financing, i.e. all agricultural inputs necessary for cereal growing, purchased on credit from mandated collectors, except expenses for the purchase of non-organic pesticides.

The farmers benefiting from the programme will also receive support from the Institut National des Grandes Cultures (INGC), which will provide technical support and monitoring, thus contributing to Tunisia’s food security and sovereignty.

This programme, which has become operational, also mobilises the European Regional Facility for the Resilience of Food Systems worth 20 million euros allocated to Tunisia, to which 5 million euros have been added from bilateral cooperation between the EU and Tunisia, the same source said.

The ADAPT programme and its cereals component are also complementary to the PRASOC programme financed by Italy to the tune of 57 million euros. The AICS and the EU thus intend to provide concrete solutions to farmers to facilitate their access to the necessary financing for their investments in adaptation to climate change.

As executive partners of the programme, INGC and the Institution de la Recherche et de l’Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles (IRESA) are supporting the beneficiary producers to maintain and enhance the sustainable production potential of Tunisian cereal systems, in collaboration with other international research institutions.

The World Food Programme also raises awareness among consumers to reduce the waste of cereal products. It also contributes significantly to the objective of improving Tunisia’s food security and sovereignty.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

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