Minister Faure Concludes High-Level Bilateral Meetings at AU Executive Council
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Foreign Affairs Minister Barry Faure concluded a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the margins of the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, deepening Seychelles’ strategic partnerships across Africa and Europe in the first major diplomatic outreach following the United Seychelles electoral victory. The meetings, held from February 11 to 12 at AU headquarters, spanned discussions with counterparts from Libya, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Kyrgyzstan, Germany, Portugal, and France, as well as a courtesy call on African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
The breadth of the engagements signals that the new government intends to pursue an active and diversified foreign policy, reinforcing Seychelles’ standing as a beacon of good governance in the region, a characterisation made directly by the AU Commission chairperson. For Seychellois citizens, deeper diplomatic ties translate into expanded visa-free travel, greater access to development funding, and a stronger collective voice on issues including climate change, ocean governance, and the Blue Economy.
Minister Faure and his Libyan counterpart agreed to conclude a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders and initiated discussions on a similar arrangement for ordinary passport holders, along with a memorandum of understanding on political consultations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora. Talks with Madagascar and Comoros reinforced the shared objectives of the Indian Ocean Commission, focusing on maritime security and the collective voice of small island developing states, while discussions with Mauritius centred on the upcoming state visit by President Herminie, scheduled for March 2026.
The AU Executive Council served as the first significant multilateral stage for Seychelles’ new foreign affairs team following the country’s recent elections, with Minister Faure receiving congratulations from the AU Commission chairperson on his appointment. Seychelles’ permanent representative to the AU, Ambassador Conrad Mederic, accompanied the delegation, reflecting the continuity of Seychelles’ long-standing engagement with the continental body.
The Executive Council adopted key decisions on multilateral cooperation covering climate change, peace and security, and the financial operations of the AU Commission and its organs. Minister Faure also engaged envoys from three countries contesting non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council and held talks with the French Minister for Europe and the Francophonie regarding the Africa Forward Summit planned for Nairobi in May 2026. These conversations position Seychelles advantageously within evolving multilateral frameworks.
Seychelles welcomed the outcomes of the session and committed to continued engagement within the AU framework, underscoring the government’s view that active continental diplomacy remains central to protecting the interests of a small island state in an increasingly complex global environment.
