The President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan received the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary, H.E. Mr. Elias M. Magosi for a courtesy call at State House, this morning. Mr. Magosi is a national of the Republic of Botswana who was sworn in on 18th August 2021 as the Seventh SADC Executive Secretary at the 41st SADC Summit of Heads of State and Commonwealth held in Lilongwe, Republic of Malawi. He assumed his position on the 01st of September, 2021.
President Ramkalawan welcomed him and his delegation to the State House and commended Mr. Magosi for the excellent work he has been doing throughout his tenure despite the different challenges. The President underlined Seychelles’ position vis-à-vis SADC.
“Seychelles will definitely continue to play its role as a SADC member and defend the principles, and of course support you in your endeavor. I hope you had a good stay in the country. When we look at good Governance, Peace and stability, freedom of speech, law and order, and human rights among others Seychelles can be used as a role model and make a positive contribution as a member state. I wish you all the best as you forge ahead in your mission and rest assured of our continued support,” said the President
During the discussion, Mr. Magosi briefed the President on his official mission here in Seychelles, which forms part of a series of visits he is doing in all the sixteen member states of the SADC. The President was briefed on meetings held with high officials of the Government and the Seychelles National Assembly. Furthermore, Mr. Magosi gave an insight into the purpose of his mission, vision, and what can be done by all member states to expedite regional integration and achieve aspects of Peace and Security.
Therefore, the meeting was also an opportunity for the Head of State to put forward important matters and concerns. They further discussed how SADC supports island nation member states like Seychelles, issues of integration which focus on what is the comparative advantage of Seychelles such as tourism, peace and stability in the region, good Governance, maritime security, Seychelles’ plans to diversify its economy, the issue of Climate Change, and the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
“Seychelles remains a good friend and partner to the SADC. We will be there to address the pertinent issues and I hope that the other countries through their leaders follow the same so that we can really see each other as real partners and find the solution that SADC deserves,” concluded the President.
H.E. Mr. Elias M. Magosi was accompanied on this courtesy call at State House by the Analyst- Social and Economic threats, Mr. Charles Zanza, Project Management Officer, Mr. Goitsemodimo Rakaru, and Communication and Public Relations Officer, Mr. Innocent Mbvundula.
Also present this morning was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Vivienne Fock-Tave, Ag Director General for Regional Affairs, Mr. Christian Faure, Third Secretary and Back up desk officer for the Southern African Development Community. Mrs. Nisha Chengo.