VICTORIA, Seychelles — The United States Senior Defence Attaché for Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and the Comoros, Commander Jeffery D. Schwamb, paid a courtesy call on the chairperson of the National Assembly’s Defence and Security Committee (DSC), Clifford Andre, at the committee’s offices last Wednesday. Mr Andre was accompanied by vice chairperson François Adelaide, the committee’s assistant secretary Donatienne Chetty, and the public relations manager Angelique Hill. The visit was an opportunity for the two sides to take stock of the bilateral relationship and to discuss matters relevant to the DSC and its mandate.
Mr Andre used the meeting to brief Commander Schwamb on the directives of the Defence and Security Committee, and to note that increased capacity building opportunities for both members and assisting staff of the committee were a high priority. He also asked for greater exposure to the procedures and parameters involved in communications between the US military and the US Congress, in order to facilitate benchmarking and to elevate the experience of members of the DSC. The briefing set out the practical, day to day work of the committee and the areas where external engagement is most useful.
Commander Schwamb responded positively, noting that having up to date knowledge of processes and policies is vital to a committee of this kind. He added that the US Seychelles friendship has remained strong and steady, and that any recommendations or suggestions to improve it would be well received. He also noted that the embassy would relay the committee’s priorities to Washington and would explore how capacity building support could be made available over the coming year. The discussion then turned to a number of specific subject areas of mutual interest.
Mr Andre made a recommendation that invitations from the US embassy regarding regional conferences and seminars on relevant subject areas, such as maritime security, drug and human trafficking, and national resource protection, be sent directly to the legislature to ensure a higher level of participation. He also recommended a general improvement in the certified portfolio of the DSC, especially in its oversight role. The committee will take the recommendations forward as part of its work programme for the rest of 2024.
The fruitful meeting ended with both parties agreeing to remain in discussion and to continue developing the collaborative relationship between the United States and Seychelles. The DSC is expected to schedule a follow up session in due course to revisit the recommendations and to plan joint engagement with the embassy in the year ahead. The visit was described on both sides as a useful opening to a more structured dialogue.
