President Ramkalawan Sends Condolences to France After Cyclone Belal Hits Reunion
VICTORIA, Seychelles — President Wavel Ramkalawan has written to President Emmanuel Macron of France to convey condolences and solidarity on behalf of the Seychellois government and people following the devastation caused by Cyclone Belal on the French overseas department of La Réunion. The cyclone, which passed over La Réunion in recent days, caused deaths and widespread damage, and the full extent of the destruction is still being assessed by local authorities. La Réunion is the nearest French territory to Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, and the two communities share family links, language, and a long history of cooperation in the region.
In the message, President Ramkalawan expressed profound sadness at the loss of life and the suffering caused by the natural disaster. “Our most sincere thoughts go to you, your government, and above all to the families affected by this natural catastrophe,” the message read. The President emphasised Seychelles’ unwavering solidarity with France and with the people of La Réunion, and said that in these difficult moments the two nations stand together in compassion and in the desire to support their brothers and sisters on the sister island.
President Ramkalawan asked that his deepest sympathies be passed to the affected families and their loved ones, with a particular thought for those most directly impacted. He also expressed wishes for a prompt recovery for the injured, and said he hoped that the solidarity between the two countries would bring comfort in the face of adversity and strengthen their common resilience in the face of climatic challenges. The President noted that cyclone events in the south-west Indian Ocean have become more frequent in recent years, and that regional cooperation on early warning and disaster response is now a standing item on the regional agenda.
The message, released by the Department of Foreign Affairs, reflects the close historical and geographical ties between Seychelles and La Réunion. The two Indian Ocean communities share language, family links, and a long history of cooperation on disaster preparedness, education, and economic affairs. In past cyclone seasons, Seychelles has itself received messages of support from regional partners, and officials here said the latest message is part of a long-standing pattern of mutual assistance.
On the ground in Seychelles, there is awareness that the country remains vulnerable to similar weather systems, with parts of Mahé and the outer islands exposed during the southern hemisphere cyclone season. The Seychelles Meteorological Authority continues to monitor conditions across the western Indian Ocean, and disaster management agencies have reiterated standard guidance for the public to follow official channels for updates. Seychelles also reaffirmed its readiness to support La Réunion in any way useful, in line with the spirit of the President’s message.
