Press release

Seychelles Delegation to Attend London Somalia Conference

May 6, 2013
StateHouse

The Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan, representing President James Michel, is leading the Seychelles delegation to the Conference on Somalia in London, which is being co hosted by the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Accompanying the Minister will be Ambassador Barry Faure, Secretary of State to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd, Seychelles Resident Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mr. Declan Barber, Seychelles Co Director to the Regional Anti Piracy Prosecution Centre (RAPPICC), and Mr. Raymond St. Ange, Security Consultant to the Office of the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport. The conference takes place on 7th of May 2013 at Lancaster House and will be opened by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. David Cameron, and the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud.

During the conference the Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan, will deliver a speech on behalf of the President, providing an opportunity for the Seychelles to express its support for the continued progress in Somalia, adding its voice to measures which are needed to ensure that the path chosen by the Republic of Somalia continues.

“It is vital that the Seychelles continues to support the transition of Republic of Somalia, where peace, economic growth and stability for its people, is being achieved.  Our presence and participation in this most important conference confirms that the Seychelles, small as it may be, and being a victim itself as a result of pirate aggressions, is seeking to help the people of Somalia, where we can,” said Minister Joel Morgan.

Minister Morgan noted that President James Michel in his address to the 19th Session of the African Union held last year in Addis Ababa said, “Africa must stand on its own feet and take a good look at the distant horizon.  The distant horizon of hope, of fraternity and brotherhood, of prosperity and progress… it is within our grasp.  We must empower our people.  We must invest in them…” In the same speech President Michel commended partners and those working to bring peace and stability to Somalia.

Editors Note

  • Somalia is emerging from more than two decades of conflict.  Last year, following representation for a new Somali parliament and new president, the Government of the Republic of Somalia set out an ambitious plan, the Six Pillar Policy, to rebuild the country.
  • The Somalia Conference will be one of a sequence of events in 2013 that will support Somalia, including the G8 meetings, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in early June and an EU hosted conference in September on the New Deal for fragile states.
  • The United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Somalia have invited over 50 partner countries and international organizations for this one day conference