Continuing his programme of visits to the country's security institutions, President Dr Patrick Herminie, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), this afternoon visited the Special Operations Unit at Barbarons to gain first hand insight into the unit's capabilities, readiness and operational requirements, as part of the Government's continued commitment to strengthening national security.
The visit forms part of the President's ongoing engagements with the Seychelles' uniformed services to familiarise himself with their operational environment, facilities and the challenges they encounter in carrying out their responsibilities. Following his recent visits to the Public Order and Tactical Response Unit (POTRU) at Petite Paris and the Seychelles Coast Guard facility at Ile Perseverance, today's engagement provided a further opportunity for the President to assess the evolving needs and operational capabilities of another key component of the nation's security architecture.
Upon arrival, the President was received by Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Michael Rosette and Brigadier General Jean Attala and
The visit commenced with a briefing on the unit's mandate, operational responsibilities and the wide range of specialist training it undertakes. Officers outlined the rigorous selection process and the demanding Special Forces Assessment Course, designed to ensure that only personnel who meet the highest standards are admitted into the unit.
The President was also briefed on the evolution of the Special Forces, which has earned growing regional recognition through its professionalism and specialised training. Discussions focused on the unit's commitment to maintaining highly trained personnel, investing in modern equipment and sustaining its strong retention rate.
The President was informed that the training facility also serves personnel from across the SDF, making it an important national asset for military training. The unit is also seeking to recruit additional personnel to further strengthen its operational capacity.
Under the guidance of Lieutenant Colonel Achil Mondon, the President toured the unit's facilities, where he observed the various training and accommodation areas and gained a closer appreciation of the conditions under which personnel prepare for specialised operations.
The visit concluded with the ceremonial handover of four highly trained narcotics detection dogs (K9s), donated by the Russian Federation to strengthen the Seychelles Police Force's operational capabilities in combating illicit drug trafficking. The Russian instructors worked closely with the Seychelles Police Force to ensure a smooth handover and training process. The Russian representatives expressed confidence that the advanced training of the K9s would make them a valuable asset in Seychelles' counter-narcotics efforts and thanked the Government of Seychelles for hosting the trainers during the transition period.
At the Dog Unit, the President was joined by the Minister for Homeland Security and Civil Affairs, Mr James Camille and Commissioner of Police, Mr Godfra Hermitte.
The detection dogs will support law enforcement and national security operations through the detection of narcotics, explosives and other specialised tasks, further strengthening Seychelles' capacity to combat organised crime and safeguard its borders.