Minister Barry Faure Strengthens Seychelles Ties at AU Executive Council
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora Barry Faure has concluded a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the margins of the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, strengthening Seychelles’ regional and international partnerships. The AU Executive Council discussions centred on deepening strategic partnerships, streamlining diplomatic protocols, and fostering regional solidarity within the Indian Ocean and the broader African continent.
Minister Faure met with Taher al-Baour of Libya, where both parties agreed to conclude a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passports and initiated discussions on a visa waiver for ordinary passport holders. The minister also engaged with counterparts from Madagascar and the Comoros, reinforcing shared objectives of the Indian Ocean Commission focusing on maritime security, sustainable development, and the collective voice of small island developing states.
Faure also met with Dhananjay Ramful of Mauritius to discuss the upcoming State visit of President Herminie to Mauritius in March 2026. He exchanged views with special envoys from Kyrgyzstan, Germany and Portugal contesting for non-permanent UN Security Council seats, and held talks with the French minister on the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi in May 2026.
The Executive Council session, held from February 11 to 12 at AU headquarters, took key decisions on multilateral cooperation shaping how Africa engages with its partners. These include critical issues such as climate change and environmental matters, peace and security, and financial and administrative matters related to the Commission’s operations. Ambassador Barry Faure contributed to deliberations on advancing Africa’s collective priorities.
Seychelles welcomed the outcomes of the Executive Council session and committed to continued engagement within the AU framework. The minister was accompanied by Seychelles’ permanent representative to the AU, Ambassador Conrad Mederic, and other officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora.
Seychelles’ diplomatic engagement at the AU Executive Council reinforces its influence in Indian Ocean and African affairs.
