Category Archives: Seychelles

Among the many indelible themes to emerge from 2020 is how much we as humans rely on healthy natural ecosystems for our well-beingand how much these places mean to the long-term vitality of our planet. Here are the 10 most popular posts of 2020 from The Pew Charitable Trusts Instagram feed, images that capture breathtaking landscapes, celebrate conservation milestones, and illustrate in dazzling detail the importance of protectingand restoringour environment.

(For more, follow @PewEnvironment on Instagram.)

The remarkable colors of Californias Carrizo Plain National Monument are captivating during the spring bloom. A bill to protect some of this area as wildernessthe highest level of federal conservationpassed the U.S. House of Representatives in February but stalled in the Senate.

By picking this issue up in the next session of Congress, lawmakers could lock in safeguards for this extraordinary area far into the future.

A shark swims through seagrass and crystal-clear water in the Seychelles. In November, the countrys government continued on its path of leadership in ocean conservation by protecting coastal wetlandsthink seagrass, mangroves, and salt marshesto help deliver on the goals of the Paris Agreement.

These chinstrap chicks in the Antarctic Peninsula are among the roughly 1.5 million penguin breeding pairs in the region that face substantial threats because of large-scale fishing for krill, a staple food for these birds.

Fortunately, Southern Ocean marine life won big in December when the Association of Responsible Krill Harvesting Companies said it would cease krill fishing in specific zones around the Hope Bay, Sheppard Point, and Sheppard Nunatak penguin colonies off the northernmost tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

The area will total nearly 4,500 square kilometerstwice the size of Tokyo.

A gray heron presides over a red mangrove tree in the Galapagos Islands. Marine biologist and Pew marine fellow Octavio Aburto, who took this photo, uses his camera along with satellite imagery to assess changes in mangrove coverage throughout the Americas.

Mangroves provide wildlife habitat, protect shorelines, and store three to five times more carbon than other tropical forests. Sadly, nearly half of the worlds mangroves have been lost, mainly to various forms of development and human activity, in the past 50 years.

(Podcast: Scientists at Work: The Art and Science of Saving Mangroves)

In one of the first conservation victories of 2020, the remote Pacific archipelago of Palauwhich encompasses more than 500 islands in Micronesiasafeguarded 80% of its waters with a marine protected area larger than California.

The decision marks a big step toward meeting the United Nations goal of protecting 30% of the global ocean by 2030.

Young monk seals splash in the shallows at French Frigate Shoals in Hawaiipart of the Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument. The monument was designated in 2006 by President George W. Bush and expanded in 2016 by President Barack Obama. It is the largest contiguous protected areaon land or seain U.S. territory.

For World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2, we posted this aerial shot of coastal wetlands in New Caledonia, where natural channels crafted a perfect illustration of how we feel about coastal habitats.

Hosting some of the richest biodiversity on the planet, salt marshes, seagrass beds, and mangroves serve as refuges for wildlife, including as nurseries for juvenile fish such as groupers, snappers, and other commercially important species.

As Rich Batiuk, a seagrass expert with the consultancy CoastWise, said when he saw this image of a seagrass meadow in Susquehanna Flats in the Chesapeake Bay, You dont need a microscope or a Ph.D. to understand the value of conserving and recovering these key coastal habitats. Seagrass is home to a wide range of species and helps keep the water clear and clean.

Read the full interview for more on these vital ecosystems.

This tiny UFO jellyfish (genus Atolla) was just one of many surreal life forms photographed during a dive off NOAAs Okeanos Explorer ship at a depth of 1,260 meters (4,134 feet) during a 29-day deep-sea expedition in 2019. Its a small reminder of the variety of life within our ocean, which covers roughly 75% of the globe and is home to nearly a quarter of all known species.

On Oct. 14, National Fossil Day, researchers released a painting of what Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky might have looked like 325 million years ago.

Fossils of at least 40 different species of sharks and their relatives have been identified on site, including six never-before-seen species. The painting illustrates the Mississippian shark, invertebrate fauna, and other ancient creatures that researchers believe lived here when the area was covered by ocean.

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Top 10 Nature Images of 2020: Wildflowers, Coastal Scenes, and Ancient Treasures - The Pew Charitable Trusts

Election fever kicked off in Africa in 2020, with old rivals facing off in Ghana, and leaders running for controversial third terms in West Africa.

Here are the major highlights of the African elections in 2020.

Togo

February 22 was Election Day in Togo. The country of 8 million people re-elected President Faure Gnassingbe. He polled 72 percent of votes compared to 18 percent for opposition leader Agbeyome Kodjo. The latter suspected fraud.

Burundi

Burundis constitutional court upheld the May 20 election results, rejecting a petition by opposition leader Agathon Rwasa. Rwasa has alleged irregularities. The ruling partys Evariste Ndayishimiye won with 68 percent of votes.

The 52-year old succeeded longtime leader, Pierre Nkurunziza. Nkurunziza had been in power since 2005.

Malawi

In Malawi, the top court annulled the results of the presidential elections of February 2019. It cited widespread irregularities. And so on June 23, Malawians head to the polls again.

President Peter Mutharika run against opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera.

Chakwera won by 58.5 percent of valid votes cast. But Peter Mutharika was not ready to exit. He claimed the civic exercise was the worst in the nations history.

Sadly, as Malawians have seen, this election is the worst in Malawis history of our elections,' Peter Mutharika told a press conference.

Ethiopia

In September, the northern region of Tigray in Ethiopia defied Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to hold local elections. This escalated tensions with the federal government.

Abiy rejected calls for dialogue, leading to thousands of Ethiopian refugees into Sudan. Despite claiming control of Mekele, the UN reports of ongoing fighting.

Seychelles

The Seychelles election saw its first opposition victory in 44 years. An Anglican priest won the presidential election. Wavel Ramkalawan won enough votes in the first round of polls to clinch the presidency. It was his sixth attempt at the countrys top job.

Tanzania

In Tanzania, it was a landslide win for President John Magufuli during the October 28 presidential elections. Magufuli got a second term in office, despite closing the world in on the real impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the East African nation.

He garnered more than 84 percent of valid votes cast. His main opponent, Tundu Lissu managed just 13 percent, according to the National election commission. Lissu and other opposition parties claimed that the process did not adhere to international standards.

Ivory Coast

In Ivory Coast, President Alassane Ouattara's bid for a third term ignited fury by the opposition, who said it was illegal for Ouattara to run again.

They said he broke a two term limit.

But Ouattara said he was free to stand for a third term under the countrys new 2016 constitution.

Ouattara,78, won the controversial election which was boycotted by the opposition.

The president had previously announced he would not run for another term.

But in July, the ruling partys previous presidential nominee, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died suddenly. Ouattara then rescinded his decision. The move sparked protest in the capital Abidjan.

Around 85 people were killed in election-related clashes, raising fears of a repeat of the civil war after the 2010 vote, which saw around 3,000 people killed in ethnic clashes.

Guinea

Deadly clashes also erupted in Guinea. President Alpha Conde won a controversial third term in office in October. At least 30 people died in the aftermath of the controversial elections.

According to the Independent electoral commission, the 82-year old had 59.5 percent of votes.

Opponent 68-year old Cellou Diallo and other opposition parties petitioned the constitutional court.

But the court said they had produced no evidence and declared Conde the winner on Saturday, November 7.

Burkina Faso

In November, Burkinabe took its turn to elect a president. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was re-elected with 57.87 percent of votes.

Kabore secured enough votes to serve a second term. Once seen as a stable nation, the election was held in the shadow of jihadist violence and a surge in attacks.

Security dominated the campaign trail. One-third of the population was disenfranchised because of the insecurity. Kabore's opponent raised concerns about the validity of the vote count. But the electoral commission dismissed the claims.

International electoral observer missions also confirmed the polls were largely free and fair. The opposition did not file an appeal over their claims.

Ghana

December 7 was Ghana's time to decide on who would be the next leader for four years.

The two longstanding rivals, incumbent Nana Akufo-Addo and his predecessor, John Maham, went head to head in a keenly contested poll.

Police reported that five people were killed, dampening an otherwise peaceful election.

The Electoral Commission announced on Wednesday, December 9 that President Nana Akufo Addo won by 51.95 percent.

The opposition rejected the result. For now, it is not clear if the National Democratic Congress party will mount a legal challenge.

More here:

Year in Review: Africa's 2020 elections - Africanews English

06 October 2020 |

President Danny Faure chaired a seventh meeting of the high-level forum leading the implementation of the National Integrated Framework for the Reopening of Seychelles at the STC Conference room this morning.

The Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gedeon, shared an overview of the global situation and the local context with regards to COVID-19 to date, explaining that the pandemic is still expanding globally. In Seychelles, he confirmed that there are currently 5 active cases.

This was followed by report from the SHTAs Chairperson, Mrs Sybille Cardon, updates from the SCCI, SIFCO, CEPS and SCAA. The Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Alan Renaud, gave a brief on the new visitor management platform; the Travizory technology that enables authorities to run rapid and efficient vetting procedures on information provided by incoming travellers in a bid to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

There were also updates from the Department of Tourism and Seychelles Tourism Board on the number of tourism establishments certified as well as on the forecast of expected flights, marketing, and tourism arrivals in Seychelles. The Chairperson of the Task Force Committee and Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley, also provided an update on the committees work over the last two weeks.

Members discussed lengthily on the travel advisory for visitors from permitted countries and the procedures that have been divided into 2 categories: Category 1 includes permitted countries considered low and medium risk and Category 2 includes Special Status. In an effort to provide more confidence to tourism partners in key source market countries, authorities in Seychelles have decided to provide Special Status to seven countries: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and the United Arab Emirates. Out of these seven, three countries have now been categorised as high-risk countries: UAE, France and the United Kingdom. Members also discussed the need to operationalise the stay safe hotel whereby a tourist that tests positive for COVID-19 can stay in a beautiful and secure environment.

The forum reiterated the importance for local citizens to observe the public health guidelines in place.

The next meeting will take place on 20 October 2020 under the chairmanship of one of the high-level forum members.

Present for the meeting this morning wasthe Minister of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Amb. Maurice Loustau-Lalanne,the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr Didier Dogley,the Minister Fisheries and Agriculture, Mr Charles Bastienne,Minister for Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, Mrs Miriam Tlmaque, Secretary of State for Health, Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Special Advisor to MFTIEP, Mrs Sitna Cesar, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Kishnan Labont, Principal Secretary Economic Planning, Mrs Elizabeth Agathine, Principal Secretary Health, Dr Bernard Valentin, Special Advisor Health, Dr Loren Reginald, Chairman Public Health Authority, Dr Conrad Shamlaye, CEO of the Healthcare Agency, Dr Danny Louange, the Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gdon, Principal Secretary for the Department of Immigration and Civil Status, Mr Alain Volcere, Principal Secretary for Risk and Disaster Management, Mr Paul Labaleine, the Special Advisor for Employment, Ms Veronique Bresson, Special Advisor Immigration and Civil Status, Mr Michel Marie, CEO for SETS, Mr Guy Morel, Chief Policy Analyst, Employment, Ms Susan Morel, Director General for Employment Promotion, Mrs Letimie Dookley, Chief Immigration Officer, Mr Michel Elisabeth, Principal Secretary Tourism Department, Mrs Anne Lafortune, CEO for the Seychelles Tourism Board, Mrs Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary for Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine, Mr Alan Renaud, Principal Secretary for Local Government, Mrs Marie-Celine Vidot-Jeannevol, Deputy Governor of the Central of Seychelles, Mr Christopher Edmond, the Chairperson of SCCI, Mr Oliver Bastienne, Secretary General SCCI, Mrs Iouana Pillay, Health Coordinator for Faith Based Organisation, Dr Anne Gabriel, representative of SIFCO, Mrs Marion Gendron, the Chairperson of SHTA, Mrs Sybille Cardon, the Secretary-General of SFWU, Mr Antoine Robinson, representatives of the La Digue Business Association, Mr Jos St Ange, Chairperson of CEPS, Mr Jude Fred, member of CEPS, Dr Nirmal Jivan Shah and CEO CEPS, Mr Michel Pierre.

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President Faure chairs high-level meeting on the resumption of commercial flights to Seychelles - Office of the President of the Republic of...

Seychelles remote Aldabra Atoll is being used as a case study in a new reporting framework devised by international scientists to help protect World Heritage Sites from almost 300 different invasive alien species.

Frauke Fleischer-Dogley, the chief executive of the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) which manages the site said, We are delighted that Aldabra is being featured as a key case study and it will allow us to share our lessons learnt and best practices within a network of sites and outstand our universal value.

The new framework which has been applied to seven World Heritage Sites covers data collection and reporting on invasive alien species pathways. This includes the presence, impacts, management, predicting future threats and management needs, identifying gaps and assigning an overall threat score to the protected area.

A co-author, David Richardson, said that World Heritage Sites face growing threats from a range of biological invasions which impact native biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services.

One key element of the new framework is listing all invasive alien species present where we can track the changes in threat or implementation of effective management over time, added Richardson.

SIFs director of research and conservation, Nancy Bunbury said, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are areas of outstanding universal value and conservation importance to humanity. However, they are threatened by a variety of global change drivers, including biological invasions from a range of terrestrial, freshwater and marine species.

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She added that those sites were ideal test sites for the reporting framework but it is applicable to all protected areas and we hope will become a standardised tool for assessing invasive alien species impacts and management globally.

Fleischer-Dogley said that generally resources to manage protected areas are scare and therefore to be able to maintain the outstanding universal of World Heritage sites requires effective management and cost-efficient eradication and control of invasive alien species.

Humanity accepted these sites as gifts and by doing so accepted universal responsibility to look after them. This also means making the necessary resources available, she added.

She added that there has been a decrease in the number of invasive alien species listed due to effective eradication, highlighting management success at the site over the last few years.

Aldabra, one of the most distant islands of the Seychelles archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, is home to the endemic giant tortoise, the frigate birds, tropicbirds and the red-footed booby among other species.

Since eradication efforts resumed in 2012 under the Foundations EU-funded invasive alien species project, SIF has successfully eradicated several invasive alien species on Aldabra atoll.

Originally posted here:

Seychelles: Seychelles' Aldabra Atoll to Be Part of Study to Protect World Heritage Sites From Invasive Species - The Streetjournal

07 October 2020 | Cabinet Business

President Danny Faure chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet today, Wednesday 7th October at which a number of legal and policy memoranda were considered.

Cabinet approved proposed amendments to the Companies Act 1972.

Cabinet approved for the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Seychelles Institute of Technology.

Cabinet also approved the Broadcasting and Telecommunication (Quality of Service) Regulations.

Cabinet approved the introduction of type approval fee for approval of radio communication equipment by the Department of Information and Communication Technology.

Cabinet approved for the setting up of a demountable fruits and vegetables market at Roche Caiman.

Cabinet was briefed on the COVID -19 situation globally and locally. Cabinet also addressed pertinent issues related to management of visitors and returning Seychellois to Seychelles.

Originally posted here:

Cabinet Business - Wednesday 07th October 2020 - News - Office of the President of the Republic of Seychelles

The Council today decided to add Anguilla and Barbados to the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Cayman Islands and Oman were removed from the list, after having passed the necessary reforms to improve their tax policy framework.

The EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes is part of the EU's external strategy for taxation and aims to contribute to ongoing efforts to promote tax good governance worldwide. It lists non-EU jurisdictions that either have not engaged in a constructive dialogue with the EU on tax governance or have failed to deliver on their commitments to implement reforms to comply with a set of objective tax good governance criteria, concerning tax transparency, fair taxation and implementation of international standards against tax base erosion and profit shifting.

Anguilla and Barbados were included in the EU list following peer review reports published by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, which downgraded the ratings of Anguilla and Barbados, respectively, to "non-compliant" and "partially compliant" with the international standard on transparency and exchange of information on request (EOIR).

Cayman Islands was removed from the EU list after it adopted new reforms to its framework on Collective Investment Funds in September 2020.

Oman was considered as compliant with all its commitments after it ratified the OECD Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, enacted legislation to enable automatic exchange of information and took all the necessary steps to activate its exchange-of-information relationships with all the EU member states.

Following this update, twelve jurisdictions remain on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions: American Samoa, Anguilla, Barbados, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu.

As regards Annex II - state of play of pending commitments - due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic the Council decided to extend several deadlines for these commitments. The Council also decided today to remove Mongolia and Bosnia and Herzegovina from Annex II after those countries deposited the instruments of ratification of the OECD Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, as amended.

The EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes was established in December 2017. It has been revised several times. The most recent substantial revision took place in February 2020. From 2020 on, it is to be updated twice a year.

The list is included in Annex I of the Council conclusions on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Those Council conclusions also contain a state-of-play document (Annex II) identifying non-EU jurisdictions which do not yet comply with all international tax standards but have provided sufficient undertakings to reform their tax policies.

The jurisdictions are assessed on the basis of a set of criteria laid down by the Council in 2016, concerning tax transparency, fair taxation and implementation of international standards against tax base erosion and profit shifting.

The Council's decisions are prepared by the Council's Code of Conduct Group which is also responsible for monitoring tax measures in the EU member states.

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EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes: Anguilla and Barbados added, Cayman Islands and Oman removed - EU News

The latest Crystal Blockchain report has been released and shows that Seychelles, an African country, had the largest amount of sent and received bitcoin transactions globally in the first half of 2020.

Seychelles has maintained this record since 2017 and this year looks no different, despite the United States and the United Kingdom having more registered exchanges.

SEE ALSO:75% of Crypto Exchanges in Africa with Porous KYC are Registered in Seychelles, Says Latest CipherTrace 2020 Report

The report shows significant bitcoin transfer volumes have taken place in non-G20 countries with Seychelles and Singapore standing out as exceptions. The reason for this is the large number of exchanges registered in these countries.

Some of the known exchanges registered in Seychelles contributing to these huge volumes include:

A related report, recently released by CipherTrace, shows that72% of African domiciled crypto assets exchanges and services are registered in the Seychelles and, 70% of those Seychelles-domiciled exchanges and services have bad or porous KYC.

About Crystal Blockchain

Crystal is the all-in-one blockchain analytics platform, providing a comprehensive view ofthe public blockchain ecosystem. Crystal is available as a SaaS, API, or as an on-premiseinstallation. Crystal is engineered by the Bitfury Group, the worlds leading full-serviceblockchain technology company.

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Seychelles Accounted for the Largest Amounts of Sent and Received Bitcoin Transactions in H1, 2020, Says Crystal Blockchain Report - bitcoinke.io

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Oct. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The hype in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) quickly dissipated as DeFi-related assets recorded sharp reversals in their price. DeFi users that were overleveraged observed their wealth evaporate as the value of their collateral diminished. As DeFi interest subsides, NFT interest has been piqued.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are distinct token types that derive their utility from being diverse and unique from other tokens. Data is suggesting that we are approaching the next wave of NFT adoption.

NFTs can be considered to be digital collectables which are traded and secured on a blockchain infrastructure. They are commonly tied to non-fungible ERC721 tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. Google data shows record-high search volume for the term "NFT".

DigiCol will provide the infrastructure for the next wave of NFT adoption. NFT users have previously faced stiff technical barriers to creating and using NFTs. It typically requires advanced coding knowledge and a deep familiarity with third-party wallets like MetaMask.

DigiCol is the first platform to empower users with one-click NFT creation. Moreover, users will be able to trade NFTs in the DigiCol marketplace without the hassles of connecting to a third-party wallet.

The previous NFT hype cycle resulted in some tokens being traded for over $100,000. But as interest resurfaces, NFT users will demand more sophisticated infrastructure and more liquid markets.

NFTs have found huge markets in fields like art collectibles and online gaming. We have already observed decentralized marketplaces emerge to cater to these niches. But none have the one-click creation and seamless trading features of DigiCol.

After DigiCol users create NFTs, they can launch them into a liquid marketplace and earn rewards when their tokens are traded. Users that own NFTs can earn rewards in tokens native to the DigiCol platform by showcasing their holdings in the marketplace.

NFTs created on DigiCol can also be used to access highly-demanded digital assets like Ethereum and USDT. NFTs can be placed into secure smart contracts as collateral to borrow Ethereum and USDT.

DigiCol will drastically change how crypto enthusiasts interact with NFTs. Previous spikes in NFT activity have been predominantly driven by hardcore enthusiasts with the technical knowledge to create and trade. DigiCol will open the gates for a much wider user base.

Those that wish to experiment can easily create unique tokens. Those that wish to speculate on the future value of NFTs will find a vast marketplace on DigiCol. Creators who want to put their design skills to the test can launch their custom NFTs to the market and gauge demand. Those that create the most coveted NFTs will be highly rewarded.

DigiCol is changing the NFT landscape. It will provide a multi-functional infrastructure that makes NFT creation and trading seamless and secure. Built upon the Ethereum blockchain, DigiCol has immense amounts of globally-distributed computing power securing NFT ownership and transactions.

Social linksTwitter: https://twitter.com/DigiColofficialMedium: https://medium.com/@digicolSubstack: https://digicol.substack.com/Telegram: https://t.me/digicolofficialTelegram News Announcement: https://t.me/digicolnews

Media contactCompany: DigiCol Ventures LimitedName: David Lee, CMOE-mail: cs@digicol.ioMedium: https://medium.com/@digicolPhone: +248887654786

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3dc0e513-a48f-4087-a879-b276b071fd0f

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Collectibles Go Digital with DigiCol, Multi-functional Infrastructure for the Next Wave of NFT adoption - GlobeNewswire

What is the price for luxury resorts in Seychelles?

Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.

Do any luxury resorts in Seychelles have a pool?

Popular luxury resorts in Seychelles that have a pool include:

What are the best luxury resorts in Seychelles?

Some of the best luxury resorts in Seychelles are:

What is the price for luxury resorts in Seychelles this weekend?

Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.

Which luxury resorts in Seychelles offer a gym?

A gym is available to guests at the following luxury resorts in Seychelles:

Which luxury resorts in Seychelles have rooms with a private balcony?

A private balcony can be enjoyed by guests at the following luxury resorts in Seychelles:

Which luxury resorts in Seychelles have rooms with great views?

These luxury resorts in Seychelles have great views and are well-liked by travelers:

Which luxury resorts in Seychelles are romantic?

These luxury resorts in Seychelles have been described as romantic by other travelers:

Which luxury resorts in Seychelles are good for families?

Families traveling in Seychelles enjoyed their stay at the following luxury resorts:

Do any luxury resorts in Seychelles offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast can be enjoyed at the following luxury resorts in Seychelles:

Which luxury resorts in Seychelles have free parking?

These luxury resorts in Seychelles have free parking:

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THE 10 BEST Seychelles Luxury Resorts - Jul 2020 (with ...

News item | 21-07-2020 | 09:35

After 5 years H.E. Mr. Frans Makken, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kenya, Somalia and the Seychelles, will return to the Netherlands. The embassy thanks Ambassador Makken for his leadership and extraordinary service. We took the opportunity to ask the Ambassador a few last questions before his departure.

Ambassador Frans Makken: My five years in Kenya have been a tremendous experience and I could not imagine a better way to end my career. Kenya has proven to be a dynamic, beautiful and inspiring country to work in. But the posting as such, wearing four different hats, was also a culmination of the experience that I have gathered along the way. My time with FAO came in handy as Permanent Representative to UN Office Nairobi, the years spent in agro-economic research fit very well with the mainstay of our programme for Kenya (notably agriculture, food security and water) and my experience with conflict areas prepared me for the situation in Somalia. A new, but very pleasant experience was dealing with a member of Small Island Development States such as the Seychelles. This has made the work extremely diverse and interesting. Outside office hours, my family and I also greatly enjoyed travelling in Kenya and the region. A personal highlight for me remains Amboseli National Park, nothing beats seeing so many elephants roam at the foot of the Kilimanjaro.

Ambassador Frans Makken: Somalia and the Netherlands are well connected through the sizable Somali diaspora in the Netherlands. It is fantastic to see that many Dutch Somali have returned to Somalia and Somaliland to trade, invest or take up positions in government and politics. In contacts this immediately creates a bond, and it has helped tremendously in our dealing with the complex society that Somalia is. We provide a lot of humanitarian support to Somalia through United Nations, European Union and civil society, but found our bilateral niche in the justice sector, dealing with matters such as strengthening the judiciary, human rights and security through CVE (Countering Violent Extremism). The Dutch navy has participated in the highly successful anti-piracy missions, in conjunction with support for more humane prison regimes. This was originally focused at pirates, but increasingly juvenile and female prisoners, as well as perpetrators of economic crimes are benefiting from these programmes. An important offshoot of our anti-piracy activities has benefited the Seychelles, where we have supported the prison management, the construction of a court house for pirate trials and today the Seychelles is host to the EU-supported Regional Centre for Operational Coordination (RCOC) on maritime security.

Ambassador Frans Makken: Nothing can be achieved without teamwork and I have been particularly proud of the very dedicated and professional colleagues that I was privileged to work with. We achieved a lot in going from aid to trade, starting innovative projects and coping with challenges during election time and currently COVID-19. We have introduced innovative financing methods to attract private investment in the water sector; we initiated the set up a multi-disciplinary platform in the health sector uniting private sector, government and civil society; we were instrumental in the digitalization of court systems which proved to be particularly helpful during Covid-19; and we set up an Agricultural Working Group to connect Dutch and Kenyan actors in agricultural development. This is just to name a few! I should also mention the fact that we are an active member of Team Europe, which represents the largest trade and development partner of Kenya. Our concerted effort allowed us to promote stability around election time, to support human rights defenders, contribute to food security and establish a vibrant EU-Kenya business dialogue. It is the mutually beneficial EU-Kenya cooperation that will ensure both our regions and countries flourish.

Ambassador Frans Makken: After a long and fulfilling career, time has come for me to retire. But the wrapping up and saying goodbyes is quite unlike I ever could have imagined. Part of my colleagues are either repatriated to the Netherlands or in quarantine. Taking leave from the presidents of Kenya, Somalia and Seychelles has to be virtual. But this is only minor in the face of the enormous impact COVID-19 has on the world in general and Kenya in particular. On leaving I am expressing the wish that Kenya will be spared from debilitating infection rates and that life can go soonest back to normal, even if it is a new normal. The Netherlands Embassy stands ready to continue its private sector programmes to deal with the crisis after the crisis to get Kenya back on its economic feet. There is so much work that still needs to be done. I therefore wish my successor, Ambassador designate Maarten Brouwer, all the best in his new assignment. I am confident that Kenya will be as welcoming to him as it was to me.

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Interview Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kenya, Somalia and the Seychelles, H.E. Frans Makken - The Netherlands and You