SEYCHELLES

Republic of Seychelles

CAPITAL: Victoria

FLAG: The flag is made up of five oblique bands of (left to right) blue, yellow, red, white, and green.

ANTHEM: Begins "Seychellois both staunch and true."

MONETARY UNIT: The Seychelles rupee (r) is a paper currency of 100 cents. There are coins of 5, 10, and 25 cents and 1, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 1,000, and 1,500 rupees and notes of 10, 25, 50, and 100 rupees. r1 = $0.18182 (or $1 = r5.5) as of 2005.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard.

HOLIDAYS: New Year's, 1–2 January; Labor Day, 1 May; National Day, 5 June; Independence Day, 29 June; Assumption, 15 August; All Saints' Day, 1 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 25 December. Movable religious holidays include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Corpus Christi, and Ascension.

TIME: 4 pm = noon GMT.

LOCATION, SIZE, AND EXTENT

Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, consists of an estimated 115 islands, most of which are not permanently inhabited. The second-smallest country in Africa, Seychelles has an area of 455 sq km (176 sq mi), of which Mahé, the principal island, comprises 144 sq km (56 sq mi). Comparatively, the area occupied by Seychelles is slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC. There are two main clusters: one is a granitic group, centering around Mahé; the other, to the sw, includes the coralline Aldabra Islands and the Farquhar group. Situated about 1,600 km (1,000 mi) off the east coast of Africa, Mahé extends 27 km (17 mi) n–s and 11 km (7 mi) e–w.

The capital city of Seychelles, Victoria, is located on the island of Mahé.

TOPOGRAPHY

The Seychelles Islands are the highest points of the Mascarene Ridge, an Indian Ocean ridge running in a generally north-south direction. The granitic islands rise above the sea surface to form a peak or ridge which, in the case of Mahé, attains an elevation of 912 m (2,992 ft) at Morne Seychellois, the highest point. Rugged crests, towering cliffs, boulders, and domes contribute to the islands' great natural beauty. Here and there, in the hollows in the rock relief, are pockets of lateritic soil, often very thin and easily eroded. Mahé possesses white, sandy beaches behind which are flats of coral and shell known locally as plateaus. Small streams descending the mountain slopes deposit alluvial material, creating the most fertile soils on the island.

The coralline Seychelles are, in contrast, low lying, rising only a few feet above the surface of the sea. Many have the typical Indian Ocean lagoon. Soils tend to be thin, with poor moisture retention. These islands are suited only to the coconut palm and a few other species.

CLIMATE

Although the Seychelles Islands lie close to the equator, their maritime situation results in coastal temperatures that are fairly constant at about 27°c (81°f) throughout the year. At higher altitudes, temperatures are lower, especially at night. Mean annual rainfall at sea level on Mahé is 236 cm (93 in); in the mountains there may be as much as 356 cm (140 in) a year. On the southwestern coral islands, rainfall is much lower, averaging about 50 cm (20 in) a year on Aldabra. May to October is the relatively dry sunny season; in this period, the southeast monsoon winds bring brief showers every two or three days. The northwest monsoon arrives in December and continues until March, bringing frequent and heavy rain. Humidity is high, especially in the coastal areas.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Primary forest is found only on Praslin and Curieuse islands, northeast of Mahé. On Praslin, native forests of coco-de-mer have been protected in small reserves; its fruit, a huge coconut weighing up to 18 kg (40 lb), is the largest seed in the world and this is the only place were the palm is found growing wild. Virtually all the broadleaf evergreen rain forest has been cut down. In its place are the coconut plantations, with occasional patches of vanilla. Other existing trees are native to the islands and have adapted to the local conditions. Underplanting is quite usual and includes avocado, breadfruit, banana, cinnamon, mango, papaya, patchouli, and pineapple.

Sharks abound in the surrounding oceans, but on land there are no reptiles or mammals that present a threat to human life. The most noteworthy animal is the giant tortoise; once very plentiful, the species is now sorely depleted. There is a great variety of bird life including dozens of the world's rarest species, but very few insects.

ENVIRONMENT

Seychelles does not have the resources to maintain a comprehensive program of environmental regulation. The monitoring of the environment is complicated by the fact that the nation consists of 15 islands distributed over a 1.3 million sq km area. Seychelles has no natural fresh water resources. In addition, the nation has a water pollution problem due to industrial by-products and sewage. Fires, landslides, and oil leakage also affect the environment in Seychelles.

The government Environmental Management Plan of Seychelles 1990–2000 proposed 12 areas of environmental regulation. The Aldabra atoll is a native preserve on the UNESCO World Heritage list, as is the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. The Port Launay Coastal Wetlands are listed as a Ramsar site. The Ministry of Planning and External Relations and the Ministry of National Development hold principal environmental responsibility.

According to a 2006 report issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the number of threatened species included 3 types of mammals, 13 species of birds, 3 types of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians, 10 species of fish, 2 types of mollusks, 2 species of other invertebrates, and 45 species of plants. The olive ridley, hawksbill, and green sea turtles and the Seychelles black parrot, Seychelles magpie robin, and Seychelles warbler are threatened species. The Aldabra brush warbler and the Seychelles parakeet (or parrot) have become extinct.

POPULATION

The population of Seychelles in 2005 was estimated by the United Nations (UN) at 81,000, which placed it at number 181 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In 2005, approximately 8% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 26% of the population under 15 years of age. According to the UN, the annual population rate of change for 2005–2010 was expected to be 1.0%, a rate the government viewed as too high. A National Population Policy, finalized in 2002, contained programs aimed at limiting population growth. The projected population for the year 2025 was 88,000. The overall population density was 180per sq km (466 per sq mi), with 80% of the population living on the island of Mahé.

The UN estimated that 50% of the population lived in urban areas in 2005, and that urban areas were growing at an annual rate of 1.24%. The capital city, Victoria, had a population of 25,000 in that year.

MIGRATION

Entry for the purpose of employment is strictly controlled. Since the 1950s, some retirees from the United Kingdom have settled in Seychelles. In 2000 the total number of migrants was 5,000. In 2005, the net migration rate was an estimated -5.54 migrants per 1,000 population. The government views the emigration level as too high, but the immigration level as satisfactory.

ETHNIC GROUPS

There are no distinct ethnic divisions, apart from small Indian and Chinese groups constituting about 1% of the total population. The bulk of the population is Seychellois, a mixture of African, French-European, and Asian strains.

LANGUAGES

Creole, a simplified form of French with borrowings from African languages, has been the first language since 1981 and is the initial language in public schools; it is spoken by about 91.8% of the population. English and French are also widely spoken as second languages. English is the first language of about 4.9% of the population. English, Creole, and French are all considered to be official languages; English is the official language of the National Assembly.

RELIGIONS

The great majority of the population practices Christianity. According to the most recent estimates, Roman Catholics constituted about 87% of the Christian community; Anglicans totaled another 7%. Other Christian churches include Baptists, Seventh-Day Adventists, the Assemblies of God, the Pentecostal Church, Nazarites, and Jehovah's Witnesses. Hindus, Muslims, and Baha'is are also present.

The constitution provides for freedom of religion and there is no state religion; however, the government does offer sometimes substantial financial assistance to churches from the state budget, primarily in the form of grants, through an application process that is open to all.

TRANSPORTATION

Until the opening of the international airport on Mahé in 1971, the Seychelles Islands were entirely dependent on the sea for their links with the rest of the world. Until 1970, passenger and cargo service by ship was irregular. In the early 1970s, however, new deepwater facilities were dredged at Victoria Harbor. Private ferries connect Mahé to Praslin and La Digue. As of 2005, there were five merchant ships of 1,000 GRT or more, totaling 42,223 GRT.

The road network totaled an estimated 280 km (174 mi) in 2002, of which 176 km (109 mi) were paved. One road encircles the island and another runs across the island by way of the central mountain ridge. There were 5,100 automobiles and 2,000 commercial vehicles in 1995.

In 2004 there were an estimated 15 airports, 8 of which had paved runways as of 2005. Seychelles International Airport is at Pointe Larue on Mahé. Flights to London, Zürich, Frankfurt, and Rome are in service via Air Seychelles, the national carrier. Air France's scheduled flights connect Seychelles with Europe. In 2001 (the latest year for which data is available) about 420,000 passengers were carried on scheduled domestic and international flights. Ligne Aérienne Seychelles (LAS), a private line, ran charter flights to Australia, Singapore, Botswana, and Malawi.

HISTORY

The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama discovered the Seychelles Islands (then uninhabited) in 1502, and an English expedition visited the islands in 1609. The name Seychelles derives from the Vicomte des Séchelles, Louis XV's finance minister. The French first claimed the islands in 1756, but colonization did not begin until 1768, when a party of 22 Frenchmen arrived, bringing with them a number of slaves. As competition grew among European nations for the lucrative trade with India and Asia, more and more seamen called at the islands to provision their vessels and to pick up commodities useful for trade.

The French and British battled for control of the islands between 1793 and 1813. French bases were blockaded in 1794 and again in 1804; on each occasion, the French capitulated. Under the Treaty of Paris (1814), the islands, together with Mauritius, were ceded to Britain. Both before and after the cession, the islands were administered from Mauritius as dependent territories. When the British made clear that they would enforce the ban on slavery throughout the Empire, many of the French landowners who had continued to import African slaves, largely from Mauritius and Réunion, departed for Africa and elsewhere, taking their slaves with them. However, with slavery ended, thousands of liberated slaves and others came into the islands. Indian labor was introduced to work on the plantations and some Chinese immigrants became shopkeepers.

In 1872, a Board of Civil Governors was created, increasing the degree of political autonomy; a Legislative Council and an Executive Council were established in 1888. On 31 August 1903, the islands became a crown colony, no longer subordinate to Mauritius. By this date, the cosmopolitan character of Seychelles had been established. Intermarriage between the descendants of the French, African, and Asian populations produced the Seychellois of today.

In 1948, the first elections were held, filling four seats on the Legislative Council. A new constitution was written in 1966 and promulgated in 1967. It vested authority in a governor and a Governing Council. General elections, the first based on the principle of universal adult suffrage, were held in December 1967 for the new Legislative Assembly. Further amendments to the constitution in March 1970 gave the Seychellois greater autonomy over affairs of internal government.

Seychelles achieved independence at 12:05 am on 29 June 1976. Upon independence, the UK government recommended the transfer from the British Indian Ocean Territory to Seychelles of the island groups of Aldabra and Farquhar and the island of Desroches. These islands, which had been detached from Seychelles in 1965, were duly returned to the new republic.

James Richard Marie Mancham, then leader of the conservative Seychelles Democratic Party, became president on independence, heading a coalition government that included Seychelles People's United Party (SPUP) leader France Albert René as prime minister. Mancham was overthrown by a coup on 5 June 1977 and went into exile; René became president. He suspended the constitution, dismissed the legislature, and ruled by decree.

In 1978, a new political party, the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), absorbed the SPUP. The constitution of March 1979, adopted by referendum, established a one-party state as the country drifted toward a Marxist political system. In November 1981, about 50 mercenaries recruited in South Africa landed in Mahé, briefly seized the airport, and apparently planned to return Mancham to power; however, Seychellois troops forced them to flee. Tanzanian troops, airlifted to Seychelles following this incident, also played a part in restoring order after an abortive army mutiny of 17–18 August 1982 took at least nine lives. All Tanzanian troops had left the country by the end of 1984. A number of other plots have been alleged since then.

René was reelected president without opposition in June 1984. Since then, the Seychelles made progress economically and socially. Under rising pressure to democratize, in December 1991, René agreed to reform the electoral system. Multiparty elections were held in July 1992 (the first since 1974), and the prospect of reconciliation between René and Mancham supporters was raised. Many dissidents, including Mancham, returned from exile. In June 1993, 73% of the voters approved a new constitution providing for multiparty government.

Since the introduction of multiparty competition, the SPPF has remained dominant, but has gradually seen its popularity weaken. Presidential and National Assembly elections were held 23 July 1993, with René winning the presidency and the SPPF capturing all but one of the directly elected legislative seats. In the 1998 contest, René obtained 66.7% of the presidential vote and his party captured 30 of 34 seats. In August 2001 elections, René again defeated his opponents, but this time by only 54.19%, and in National Assembly elections in December 2002—the first to be held separately from presidential elections—the SPPF captured 23 seats to 11 for the SNP.

In April 2004, after 27 years in power, René—barred constitutionally from running for a third term—handed over power to his vice president James Michel. The move gave Michel time to establish himself, and as SPPF party chair, René continued to exercise power behind the scenes. One sign of this power was the expansion of the central committee from 20 to 25 members composed of former ministers and key civil servants. In the annual SPPF congress in May 2005, Vice President Joseph Belmont was named to be Michel's running mate.

Whether the SPPF would continue its political dominance was believed to hinge primarily on the economy. Real GDP was expected to contract for the fourth consecutive year in 2006.

GOVERNMENT

The 1976 constitution provided for a multiparty system, but was replaced in 1979 with a document authorizing a one-party state. The June 1993 constitution reestablished multiparty elections for president and for a National Assembly consisting of 33 members, 22 directly elected and 11 allocated on a proportional basis. The president is both head of state and head of government and appoints a cabinet of ministers from outside the National Assembly. Typically, the president also holds key ministerial posts. While the 1993 constitution guarantees extensive political and civil liberties, it also allows the curtailment of freedom of expression in order to protect "the reputation, rights, and freedoms of private lives of persons." This is a thinly veiled limitation on the freedom of the press. The independent media was the target of restrictions under the René administration.

In 1996, the SPPF successfully introduced constitutional changes, including the enlargement of the National Assembly to 35 (with 10 members to be chosen by proportional representation) and creation of the post for a vice president. In 1998, the United Opposition (UO) boycotted the National Assembly meetings protesting the SPPF's heavy-handed behavior. Presently, the National Assembly comprises 34 seats, 25 elected by popular vote and 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote.

The next presidential elections were due to take place by August 2006 with parliamentary elections scheduled to occur no later than the end of 2007. Parliamentary elections may be concurrent with presidential elections. The president and members of the National Assembly serve five-year terms.

POLITICAL PARTIES

Before 1978 there were two political parties, the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) and the Seychelles People's United Party (SPUP), both founded in 1964. In the last legislative elections prior to independence, on 25 April 1974, the SDP won 13 of 15 elective seats and the SPUP 2. Appointments in June 1975 brought total party strength to 18 for the SDP and 7 for the SPUP. The successor to the SPUP, the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), was established in 1979 as the sole legal party, with the avowed objective of creating a Socialist state; the SDP was declared to have "disappeared." There were at least three opposition groups in exile. In the 1979 parliamentary elections, 55 candidates sanctioned by the SPPF competed for 23 elective seats in the People's Assembly. In the 1983 parliamentary elections, 17 of the 23 elected candidates ran unopposed; and in the December 1987 elections, 36 candidates, all of them members of the SPPF, competed for the 23 seats in the People's Assembly.

After René's announcement of a return to multiparty democracy, parties began to organize in preparation for an election to a constituent assembly in July 1992. Many dissidents returned from exile and the Democratic Party (DP) was reestablished. Also established were the Seychelles Party (PS), the Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD), and the Seychelles Liberal Party (SLP).

After the 23 July 1993 elections, eight opposition members obtained seats in the 33-seat National Assembly. René won the presidential election with 59.5% of the vote. The Parti Seselwa, the Seychellois National Movement, and the National Alliance Party opposed the adoption of the new constitution in 1993 and contested the July 1993 elections as the United Opposition (UO) coalition. Its presidential candidate, former president Mancham, received 36.6% of the vote. The SPPF won 21 legislative seats to the DP's 1. The SPPF was also given 6 of the 11 seats apportioned according to the percentage of the votes won; the DP, 4 seats; and the UO, 1 seat.

In the 1998 elections, the SPPF captured 30 seats; the UO three; and the DP only one seat. The Reverend Wavel Ramkalawan replaced James Mancham as leader of the opposition, and in late 1998, the UO changed its name to the Seychelles National Party (SNP). In National Assembly elections held in December 2002, the SPPF captured 23 seats to 11 for the SNP. The SPPF retained a strong grassroots structure throughout the islands.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

All seats on the 23 elected district councils (formerly the SPPF district branch committees) are held by SPPF members. In June 2003, SPPF delegates to a special party congress agreed that members of district committees would be appointed rather than elected.

JUDICIAL SYSTEM

Magistrates' courts are normally the courts of the first instance. The Supreme Court hears appeals and takes original jurisdiction of some cases. An independent Appeal Court was established in 2005. The president of Seychelles appoints the chief justice—a naturalized citizen—and also appoints all other judges from other Commonwealth countries on seven-year contracts. As of 2005, the court president was Justice Michael Ramodibedi of Lesotho.

Civil law is based on the French Napoleonic Code, while criminal law follows the British model. Members of the armed forces accused of serious offenses are tried by court-martial unless the president decrees otherwise. Executive and ruling party dominance in the judicial system has been challenged unsuccessfully.

The Constitutional Court convenes weekly, or as needed, to consider constitutional and civil liberties issues. The Court of Appeal convenes twice a year and considers appeals from the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court only. In addition, an industrial court and a rent tribunal exist.

ARMED FORCES

In 2005 there were 450 active personnel in the armed forces of Seychelles, including an army of 200 (one infantry company and one security unit) and a paramilitary national guard of 250. There was also a 200-member coast guard, that included 80 marines, and 20 others in an air wing. In 2005, the defense budget totaled $12.6 million.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Admitted to the United Nations on 21 September 1976, Seychelles participates in ECA and several nonregional specialized agencies, such as the IAEA, FAO, the World Bank, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, and the WHO. The nation belongs to the ACP Group, the African Development Bank, COMESA, SADC, the Cross-border Initiative in Eastern and Southern Africa (CBI), the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), and the Indian Ocean Commission. It also belongs to the Commonwealth of Nations, G-77, and the African Union. The country has observer status in the WTO. It is part of the Nonaligned Movement. IN environmental cooperation, Seychelles is part of the Basel Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, the London Convention, the Kyoto Protocol, the Montréal Protocol, MARPOL, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and the UN Conventions on the Law of the Sea, Climate Change, and Desertification.

ECONOMY

Seychelles possesses a thriving economy, but external debt holds back real economic development. Agriculture, fishing, and forestry accounted for about 4% of GDP in 1999. Crop production is limited by mountainous terrain and low soil fertility, leaving the Seychelles dependent on imports for beef, rice, potatoes, and some fresh produce. The manufacturing sector accounts for 26% of GDP. Since the opening of the international airport in 1971, the Seychelles economy has become dependent on tourism. In 1999, tourism employed 30% of the labor force, and provided the majority of foreign exchange earnings, but in 2000, industrial fishing surpassed tourism as the most important source of foreign exchange. Stiff international competition for tourist dollars caused the government to take steps to broaden the economic base by promoting the development of fishing and light manufacturing. The tourism industry was adversely affected by the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States and the subsequent decline in air travel. Tuna fishing and canning accounted for 70% of GDP in 2003.

Although private enterprise and private property are permitted, the public sector drives the economy and accounts for more than 40% of GDP. The government controls the importation, licensing, and distribution of virtually all goods and services, and exercises significant control over all phases of the economy. Since 1990, a program to privatize the economy has resulted in progress in several sectors including tourism, fish processing, and agriculture. In 1995, the American food company Heinz and Co. purchased 60% of the previously state-owned Seychelles Tuna Canning Factory, and the joint venture between the government and Heinz is now the single largest employer in the Seychelles. In addition, most state-owned agricultural land has been turned over to private control. The government is attempting to develop an offshore and free trade zone to further develop the economy and move it away from its dependence upon tourism and fishing.

The economy registered a slight expansion of 1.3% in 2002, before it started plummeting—by -6.3% in 2003 and by -2.0% in 2004; in 2005 real GDP growth was -4.0%. Inflation remained fairly stable but was expected to jump to 10% in 2005 as a result of the economic recession. The tourism sector continues to suffer as vacationers look for cheaper destination like the Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar. In addition, Heinz decided that it will sell its 60% stake in the Indian Ocean Tuna cannery as soon as a buyer is found.

INCOME

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports that in 2005 Seychelles's gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $626.0 million. The CIA defines GDP as the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year and computed on the basis of purchasing power parity (PPP) rather than value as measured on the basis of the rate of exchange based on current dollars. The per capita GDP was estimated at $7,800. The annual growth rate of GDP was estimated at -3%. The average inflation rate in 2005 was 4.4%. It was estimated that agriculture accounted for 3.2% of GDP, industry 30.4%, and services 66.4%.

According to the World Bank, in 2002 remittances from citizens working abroad totaled $1 million or about $12 per capita and accounted for approximately 0.1% of GDP.

LABOR

In 1996, the labor force numbered 30,900. Services accounted for 71% of the workforce, with industry 19% and agriculture the remaining 10%. In addition, there are self-employed people, casual workers, domestic servants, and agricultural workers on small land holdings. There was no data available as of the unemployment rate in Seychelles.

Seychelles had two trade unions organizations as of 2001: the Seychelles Federation of Workers' Union and the Independent Seychelles Workers Union. Employees have the right to organize and bargain collectively, but in practice most wages are set by the government—the country's largest employer. The government has the right to review and approve labor contracts between individuals and large firms. Approximately 15–20% of the workforce is unionized.

The minimum age for employment is 15, but children are encouraged to attend school until the 9th or 10th grade. Apprenticeships and vocational programs are available to those who leave school early. The minimum wage was $427 per month in 2001. Most workers also receive a variety of free public services. The legal maximum workweek is 45 to 52 hours, but most government workers work less than that. The government has issued comprehensive occupational health and safety regulations but they are not effectively enforced. The government is making attempts to improve this enforcement.

AGRICULTURE

Although agriculture has long been the basis of the Seychelles economy, it contributes only about 4% to GDP. Production in 2004 included coconuts, 3,200 tons; and bananas, 1,970 tons. Tea planting began in the early 1960s. Other crops produced for export are cinnamon bark, vanilla, cloves, and patchouli (an essence used in soap and perfume). In 2004, the Seychelles produced 200 tons of cinnamon bark and 225 tons of tea. Sweet potatoes, yams, breadfruit, and cassava are grown in small quantities but are not sufficient to satisfy the local demand. Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, and mangoes meet the local requirement only in season.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Seychelles is self-sufficient in the production of pork, poultry, and eggs. In 2005 there were about 18,500 hogs, 5,150 goats, and 1,400 head of cattle. Cattle of improved strains are imported and maintained on an intensive feedlot system.

FISHING

Per capita fish consumption in the Seychelles is very high, yet the development of industrial fishing is at its early stages. The development of port services for foreign tuna fishing fleets since the early 1980s has raised incomes and living standards, while diminishing the role of artisanal fishing. Fishing accounts for about 1% of GDP and about 8% of exports. Foreign vessels fishing in Seychelles waters must be licensed to operate within the 322-km (200-mi) economic zone, which encompassed one of the world's richest tuna-fishing grounds. French investments have focused on tuna fishing and canning. The European Community, Korea, and Japan hold the key licenses to Seychelles coastal fishing. Fish landings by the domestic fleet totaled 86,869 tons, including 36,802 tons of skipjack tuna and 34,734 tons of yellowfin tuna. Exports of fish products totaled $210.8 million in 2003.

FORESTRY

Little natural forest remains. Coconut plantations are the main source of timber, aside from imports. A reforestation program projects the planting of 100 ha (250 ac) each year. Imports of forest products totaled $1.4 million in 2004.

MINING

Seychelles' mineral production in 2004 consisted granite dimension stone, gravel and crushed rock, and sand. Although production of guano (a phosphate fertilizer comprising bird droppings, extracted from Assumption) ceased in the mid-1980s, a plant with a capacity of 5,000 tons per year remained; modest production was unofficially reported in the mid-1990s. Output of granite dimension stone in 2004 was estimated at 93,000 metric tons, up from 92,120 metric tons in 2002. Gravel and crushed rock output in 2004 was estimated at 213,000 metric tons, up from 212,926 metric tons in the previous year. Sand production in 2004 was estimated at 2,200 metric tons, up from 2,165 metric tons in 2002. Polymetallic nodules were known to occur on the ocean bottom near the Admirante Islands. The Seychelles comprised 40 granitic and at least 50 coralline islands.

ENERGY AND POWER

Seychelles has a total installed electric generating capacity of 28,000 kW, as of 1 January 2003. Output in 2003 reached 0.24 billion kWh, of which 100% came from fossil fuels. Consumption of electricity in 2003 came to 0.22 billion kWh.

As of 1 January 2005, Seychelles had no proven reserves of crude oil, natural gas, or coal, nor any crude oil refining capacity. All fossil fuel and refined petroleum product consumption was met by imports. In 2004, imports and domestic demand for petroleum products each averaged 4,000 barrels per day. There were no recorded imports or consumption of natural gas or coal in 2003.

INDUSTRY

In 2000, the manufacturing and construction sector contributed 29% to GDP. The average annual industrial growth rate was averaging 10% in the early 2000s. Tuna fishing and canning accounted for 70% of GDP in 2002. The largest plant is the tuna cannery, opened in 1987 and privatized in 1995 with a 60% purchase by US-based Heinz Inc. The tuna business has grown rapidly, and the joint venture between Heinz and the government was the single largest employer in the Seychelles in 2002. Other factories are smaller and process local agricultural products. A tea factory handles locally grown tea. Others process copra and vanilla pods and extract coconut oil. There is a plastics factory, a brewery and soft drink bottler, and a cinnamon distiller. Salt, cigarettes, boats, furniture, steel products, publications, animal feeds, processed meats, dairy products, paints, and assembled televisions are also produced. Oil exploration is underway, and geophysical and geochemical analyses indicate potential for commercial production.

In 2004, the main contributors to the GDP were transport, communications, and distribution (30.3%), manufacturing (16.7%), government services (12.7%), and hotel and restaurants (10.1%). As of 2006, the Heinz company was liquidating its shares in the tuna canning factory, which had been privatized in 1995.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Seychelles Polytechnic, founded in 1983 at Victoria, has schools of agriculture, engineering, health studies, humanities and science, and maritime studies. In 2002, there were 18 researchers and 30 technicians engaged in research and development per million people. For that same year, R&D spending totaled r4.080 million. Of that amount, 89.7% came from government sources, with private nonprofit organizations accounting for 3.4% and foreign sources 6.9%.

DOMESTIC TRADE

The Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB), with wide powers over imports, distribution, and quality of goods, was established in 1984. Though its monopoly on the sale of fruits and vegetables was abandoned in 1987, the SMB still operates all major supermarkets.

The small Chinese merchant class plays an important part in the retail trade. The variety of domestic goods for sale is very limited. There are price controls on most foodstuffs. The capital of Victoria is the major commercial center of the island. Shops range from supermarkets to a traditional open-air market. A small handicrafts and pottery industry creates products primarily for tourists.

Normal business hours are 8 am to noon and 1:30 to 4 pm, Monday–Friday; 8 am to noon on Saturday. Most business is conducted in English, but French is widely spoken.

FOREIGN TRADE

Foreign trade is habitually in deficit. Strict trade regulations hinder trade growth. Preserved fish (73%), fresh fish (8.0%), salted, dried, and smoked fish (6.5%), and shellfish (3.7%) account for the majority of Seychelles's commodity exports. Other exports include cinnamon and vanilla (2.4%).

In 2005, exports totaled $312 million (FOB—free on board), while imports grew to $460 million. Most of the exports went to the United Kingdom (27.7%), France (15.8%), Spain (12.6%), Japan (8.6%), Italy (7.5%), and Germany (5.6%). Major imports included food and live animals, manufactured goods, fuel, machinery and transport goods, and chemicals, and they mainly came from Saudi Arabia (15.5%), Spain (13.3%), France (10.3%), Singapore (7%), South Africa (6.8%), Italy (6.7%), and the United Kingdom (4.7%).

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

Development aid, income from tourism, and earnings from reexports have generally been sufficient to offset Seychelles' persistent visible trade deficit.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reported that in 2001 the purchasing power parity of Seychelles's exports was $182.6

million while imports totaled $360.2 million resulting in a trade deficit of $177.6 million.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that in 2001 Seychelles had exports of goods totaling $215 million and imports totaling $387 million. The services credit totaled $283 million and debit $193 million.

Exports of goods and services totaled $629 million in 2004, up from $620 million in 2003. Imports grew from $593 million in 2003, to $629 million in 2004. The resource balance, while positive in 2003 at $28 million, decreased to $0 million in 2004, indicating that imports were growing faster than exports. A similar trend was registered for the current account balance, which deteriorated from -$6 million in 2003, to -$21 million in 2004. Foreign exchange reserves (including gold) decreased to $37 million in 2004, covering less than a month of imports.

BANKING AND SECURITIES

The Seychelles Monetary Authority, established in 1978 as the bank of issue, became the Central Bank of Seychelles in 1983. Other government banks are the Seychelles Savings Bank and the Development Bank of Seychelles. Five major commercial banks operate in the Seychelles, namely Barclays, Nouvobanq, Banque Française Commerciale Océan Indien, Bank of Baroda, and Habib Bank. Development of an offshore banking center was announced in 1999.

The International Monetary Fund reports that in 2001, currency and demand deposits—an aggregate commonly known as M1—were equal to $220.5 million. In that same year, M2—an aggregate equal to M1 plus savings deposits, small time deposits, and money market mutual funds—was $607.0 million. The discount rate, the interest rate at which the central bank lends to financial institutions in the short term, was 1%.

There is no stock exchange in Seychelles.

INSURANCE

All private insurance companies were nationalized in 1983 and their business transferred to the State Assurance Corp. Two of the companies doing business in the Seychelles in 1997 were H. Savy Insurance Co., and State Assurance Corp. of Seychelles.

PUBLIC FINANCE

Annual budgets of increasing deficits were common in the 1980s. The public sector is responsible for two-thirds of Seychelles' employment, and the budget amounts to about 40% of GDP. Public investment focuses on social and physical infrastructure, tourism, and export activities. Some privatization has occurred in recent years, including the privatization of some port operations and the Seychelles Tuna Canning Factory, 60% of which was purchased by Heinz.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimated that in 2005 Seychelles's central government took in revenues of approximately $343.3 million and had expenditures of $332.2 million. Revenues minus expenditures totaled approximately $11.1 million. Public debt in 2005 amounted to 129.7% of GDP. Total external debt was $276.8 million.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that in 2002, the most recent year for which it had data, central government revenues were r1,607 million and expenditures were r2,172.8

million. The value of revenues in US dollars was us$293 million and expenditures us$333 million, based on a official exchange rate for 2002 of us$1 = r5.4800 as reported by the IMF. Government outlays by function were as follows: general public services, 35.5%; defense, 3.6%; public order and safety, 3.7%; economic affairs, 7.6%; housing and community amenities, 2.5%; health, 6.3%; recreation, culture, and religion, 1.1%; education, 9.7%; and social protection, 13.9%.

TAXATION

As of 2005, Seychelles had a progressive corporate income tax structure made up of four bands, with rates of 0%, 25%, 30%, and 40%. There is no capital gains tax in the Seychelles. A withholding tax of 15% is applied to dividends paid to nonresidents. Residents receiving dividends are not taxed. Interest income paid to nonresidents (excluding banks, financial companies, and other firms whose primary business is money lending) are subject to a 10% withholding rate. A 40% withholding rate is applied to interest received by residents or nonresidents holding a security issued by a Seychelles financial institution, and is applied at the time of redemption. Royalties paid to Seychelles citizens are not taxed, while nonresidents are subject to a 15% withholding rate. The principal indirect taxes are customs duties and a goods and services tax (GST). The GST applies a 12% tax on certain locally manufactured goods and on imported goods (in addition to the customs duty). Local services providers and tourism-related services providers are subject to a GST between 7% and 15%. The Seychelles operates as a tax haven. It applies a territorial basis of tax assessment to corporations, so they are taxed only on the income that is derived directly from the country. The makes it an inviting place for international companies to headquarter, because the profits made by branches are not imputed to the center for tax purposes. Also the government imposes no personal income tax, although it does require social security contributions.

CUSTOMS AND DUTIES

All imports are controlled by the Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB), which places quotas on certain imports (such as motor vehicles) and other types of restrictions on other items. Prohibited goods include arms and ammunition, dangerous drugs, pornographic materials, and spearguns. Import tariffs are 30%.

The Seychelles International Trade Zone offers tax benefits and other advantages to exporters.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT

The government offers full repatriation of after-tax profits; normal exemption from import duties for machinery, spare parts, and raw materials; and possible tariff protection. While parastatals are common in Seychelles, there is no policy of nationalization, though joint ventures are preferred when foreign capital is involved. Public and private investment is sought for the tourist, fishing, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors. In 1995, the government established an International Investment Authority which offers incentives and tax concessions to foreign investors.

Annual foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to the Seychelles from 1997 to 2000 ranged from $54.4 million in 1997 to $60 million in 1999. In 2001, FDI inflows slowed to $34 million. In 2005, attempts were underway to find a buyer for Heinz's share in the Indian Ocean Tuna cannery, which delayed planned investments in the factory.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The 1985–89 plan sought to create jobs and emphasized developing cash crops, tourism, and the fishing industry. The 1990–94 plan emphasized the need to attract foreign investment. Of considerable interest to donors in the 1990s was the 10-year plan to improve the Seychelles environment. In 1999, the government undertook an intensive review of trade policies in connection with its application to join the WTO, which may increase development. As of 2003, the Seychelles' WTO application was still pending.

The economy continued to contract in 2005, and was expected to continue the same trend in 2006. Tourism still suffers from decreasing numbers of incoming visitors, and manufacturing will remain depressed as a result of insufficient foreign exchange. Prospects for 2007 are somewhat brighter as major investments in luxury hotels are expected to put the economy back on track.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

All citizens residing in Seychelles territory and resident foreign employees are entitled to participate in the social security fund. There is voluntary coverage available to the self-employed. Benefits are provided for old age, disability, survivorship, sickness, and maternity. Employees and employers are required to make monthly contributions. Retirement is set at age 63 with at least five years of residency. There is also a workers' compensation scheme. Health services are free for all residents under the National Health Plan. Although there is no statutory unemployment program, daily subsistence wages are provided under certain conditions.

Traditional Seychelles culture is matriarchal and women are accorded considerable respect within society. However, violence against women, particularly domestic violence, remains a problem, and has been linked to alcohol abuse. Women are fairly well represented in both the public and private sectors. Inheritance laws do not discriminate against women. In 2004, more than 70% of births were out of wedlock.

Human rights are generally respected although there are still arbitrary arrests and detentions. There is some discrimination against foreign workers. Nongovernmental organizations operate freely.

HEALTH

In 2004, the Seychelles had an estimated 132 physicians, 5 pharmacists, 467 nurses, 4 midwives, and 12 dentists per 100,000 people. Approximately, 3.9% of the gross national product went to health expenditures. Water and sanitation were available to over 90% of the Seychelles residents.

The infant mortality rate in 2005 was estimated at 15.53 per 1,000 live births and average life expectancy at 71.82 years. In the same year, the birth rate was 17.3 and the overall mortality rate at 6.6. Approximately 99% of the country's children were vaccinated against measles, 99% against hepatitis B, and 97% against polio. Seychelles has also reached the 2000 goal of attaining at least 90% immunization DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus). No cases of polio, measles, or neonatal tetanus were reported, however leprosy was still present.

HOUSING

As of the 2002 census, there were about 20,270 housing units throughout the nation serving 20,933 households. The average household size was four members. Most homes were made of stone block with corrugated iron roofs (77%); others are constructed of wood frames and walls. Some rural houses were thatched. About 73% of all housing was listed in good condition; 66% of all housing was owner occupied. Of all housing units, 94% had flush toilets, 87% had indoor treated water, and 96% had electricity.

The Home Ownership Scheme lends money for building costs to low-income families, and the Housing Loan Fund provides loans for families who want to purchase or build their own homes. Concrete-block housing developments have been constructed.

EDUCATION

Since 1980, public education has been free and compulsory for 10 years for children between the ages of 6 and 16. Six years of primary education are followed by five years of secondary education. Vocational courses are offered for secondary students. In 2001, about 90% of children between the ages of four and five were enrolled in some type of preschool program. Primary and secondary school enrollment in 2003 was estimated at about 100% of age-eligible students. It is estimated that nearly all students complete their primary education. The student-to-teacher ratio for primary school was at about 14:1 in 2003; the ratio for secondary school was also about 14:1.

Seychelles does not provide education at university level, but there is a teacher-training college and a polytechnic institute. Only members of the National Youth Service can apply to the teacher-training college. In the absence of higher education facilities, many students study abroad, mainly in the United Kingdom. The adult literacy rate for 2004 was estimated at about 91.9%.

As of 2003, public expenditure on education was estimated at 5.2% of GDP, or 10.7% of total government expenditures.

LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS

The National Archives and a National Library (80,000 volumes) are both located in Victoria (Mahé Island). Seychelles Polytechnic University has 12,000 volumes. The Seychelles National Museum of History is located in the same building as the National Library. There is also a Seychelles Natural History Museum in Victoria.

MEDIA

In 2002, there were 21,700 mainline phones in use nationwide. In 2003, there were an additional 54,500 mobile phones in use.

Radio-Television Seychelles, which is government owned, broadcasts in English, French, and Creole. Television service, controlled by the government, began in 1983. License fees for privately owned radio and television stations are so high that an independent media has not been able to develop. As of 1999 there were three AM radio stations and two television stations. There were 627 radios and 150 television sets per 1,000 population in 1998. In 2002, there were about 11,700 Internet subscribers served by over 260 Internet hosts. There is one daily newspaper—Seychelles Nation (2002 circulation 3,500)—published by the government in English, French, and Creole. The president has the authority to censor publications.

ORGANIZATIONS

Trade groups include the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Seychelles Farmers' Association. The Women's Association and the Youth Organization are arms of the SPPF. Other youth organizations include the National Youth League of the Seychelles and the Scout and Guide Movement of the Seychelles. There are several sports associations representing such pastimes as tennis, squash, yachting, and track and field. There are national chapters of the Red Cross and Caritas.

TOURISM, TRAVEL, AND RECREATION

The prosperity of Seychelles depends on tourism. Visitors can enjoy coral beaches, water sports including scuba diving, waterskiing, and windsurfing, and boat or yacht tours of the islands. The archipelago's wildlife is also a popular tourist attraction. Valid passports are required, but visas are not. If traveling from an infected area a certificate of vaccination is required.

There were 122,038 tourist arrivals in 2003. Most of the visitors came from France and Germany. Hotel rooms numbered 2,435 with 4,926 beds and an occupancy rate of 46%. That same year the US Department of State estimated the daily cost of staying in Seychelles at $271.

FAMOUS SEYCHELLOIS

Sir James Richard Marie Mancham (b.1939), leader of the SDP, became Seychelles' first president in 1976. He was deposed in 1977 by France Albert René (b.1935), who served until 2004. James Alex Michel (b.1944) became president in 2004.

DEPENDENCIES

Seychelles has no territories or colonies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bennett, George. Seychelles Pramila Ramgulam Bennett. Oxford, England; Santa Barbara, Calif.: Clio Press, 1993.

Carpin, Sarah. Seychelles. 6th ed. Hong Kong: Odyssey, 2005.

McAteer, William. Rivals in Eden: A History of the French Settlement and British Conquest of the Seychelles Islands, 1742–1818. Sussex, Eng.: Book Guild, 1990.

Scarr, Deryck. Seychelles Since 1770: History of a Slave and Post-Slavery Society. Trenton, N.J.: Africa World Press, 1999.

Skerrett, Adrian. Birds of the Seychelles. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2001.

Vine, Peter. Seychelles. 2nd ed. London, Eng.: Immel Publishing, 1992.

Zeilig, Leo and David Seddon. A Political and Economic Dictionary of Africa. Philadelphia: Routledge/Taylor and Francis, 2005.

Seychelles

Compiled from the January 2007 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:
Republic of Seychelles

PROFILE

GEOGRAPHY

PEOPLE

HISTORY

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

ECONOMY

DEFENSE

FOREIGN RELATIONS

U.S.-SEYCHELLES RELATIONS

TRAVEL

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 444 sq. km; about 2.5 times the size of Washington DC.

Major islands: Mahe and Praslin.

Cities: Capital—Victoria.

Terrain: About half of the islands are granitic in origin, with narrow coastal strips and central ranges of hills rising to 905 m. The other half are coral atolls, many uninhabitable.

Climate: Tropical marine.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective—Seychellois.

Population: (2005 est.) 81,188.

Annual growth rate: (2005 est.) 0.43%.

Ethnic groups: Creole (European, Asian, and African).

Religions: Catholic 86.6%, Anglican Church 6.8%, other Christians 2.5%, other 4.1%.

Languages: Official languages are Creole, English, and French.

Education: Public schools and private schools, compulsory through grade 10. Literacy (1994)—87.5%.

Health: Free government health services for all people. Life expectancy—male 65.48 yrs, female 73.63 yrs. Infant mortality rate—16.86/1000.

Work force: 32,382 with 3,550 unemployed. Industries include tourism, fishing, manufacturing, and construction.

Government

Type: Multiple-party republic.

Independence: June 29, 1976.

Constitution: June 18, 1993.

Government branches: Executive—president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative—unicameral National Assembly with 34 seats (25 directly elected and 9 allocated on a proportional basis). Judicial—Supreme Court, Appeals Court.

Political parties: Democratic Party (DP), Seychelles National Party (SNP), Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF).

Suffrage: Universal over 17.

Economy

GDP: (2004) $703 million.

Annual growth rate: (2004) -2%.

Per capita income: (2004) $8090. Average inflation rate: (2004) 3.9%.

Natural resources: Fish.

Agriculture: Copra, cinnamon, vanilla, coconuts, sweet potatoes, tapioca, bananas, tuna, chicken, teas.

Industry: Tourism, re-exports, maritime services.

Trade: Exports (2004)—$200 million: canned tuna, frozen/fresh fish, frozen prawns, cinnamon bark. Imports (2004)—$392 million. Major partners—France, Italy, U.K., Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia.

Exchange rate: (December 2005) 5.50 rupees=U.S.$1.

Aid per capita: (2003) $110.

GEOGRAPHY

Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) east of Kenya. The nation is an archipelago of 115 tropical islands with two distinct collections of islands, some comprised of granite and others of coral. The Mahe Group consists of 42 granite islands, all within a 56-kilometer (35-mi.) radius of the main island of Mahe. These islands are rocky, and most have a narrow coastal stripe and a central range of hills rising as high as 914 meters (3,000 ft.). Mahe is the largest island—9,142 sq. km (55 sq. mi.)—and is the site of Victoria, the capital. The coral islands are flat with elevated coral reefs at different stages of formation. They have no fresh water; human life can be sustained on them only with difficulty. The climate is equable and healthy, although quite humid, as the islands are small and subject to marine influences.

The temperature varies little throughout the year. Temperatures on Mahe vary from 24°C to 29.9°C (75°F-85°F), and rainfall ranges from 288 centimeters (90 in.) annually at Victoria to 355 centimeters (140 in.) on the mountain slopes. Precipitation is somewhat less on the other islands. During the coolest months, July and August, the temperature drops to as low as 700F.

The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November, and this is the most pleasant time of the year. The hot months are from December to April, with higher humidity (80). March and April are the hottest months, but the temperature seldom exceeds 880F. Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt, so high winds are rare.

PEOPLE

About 90% of the Seychellois people live on Mahe Island. Most others live on Praslin and La Digue, with the remaining smaller islands either sparsely populated or uninhabited.

Most Seychellois are descendants of early French settlers and the African slaves brought to the Seychelles in the 19th century by the British, who freed them from slave ships on the East African coast. Indians and Chinese (1.1% of the population) account for the other permanent inhabitants. In 2002, about 4,000 expatriates lived and worked in Seychelles. Of those, about 35 are American.

Seychelles culture is a mixture of French and African (Creole) influences. Creole is the native language of 94% of the people; however, English and French are commonly used. English remains the language of government and commerce.

About 92% of the population over age 15 is literate, and the literacy rate of school-aged children has risen to well over 98%. Increases are expected, as nearly all children of primary school age attend school, and the government encourages adult education.

HISTORY

The Seychelles islands remained uninhabited for more than 150 years after they became known to Western explorers. The islands appeared on Portuguese charts as early as 1505, although Arabs may have visited them much earlier. In 1742, the French Governor of Mauritius, Mahe de Labourdonais, sent an expedition to the islands. A second expedition in 1756 reasserted formal possession by France and gave the islands their present name in honor of the French finance minister under King Louis XV. The new French colony barely survived its first decade and did not begin to flourish until 1794, when Queau de Quincy became commandant. The Seychelles islands were captured and freed several times during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, then passed officially to the British under the 1814 Treaty of Paris.

From the date of its founding by the French until 1903, the Seychelles colony was regarded as a dependency of Mauritius, which also passed from the French to British rule in 1814. In 1888, a separate administrator and executive and administrative councils were established for the Seychelles archipelago. Nine years later, the administrator acquired full powers of a British colonial governor, and on August 31, 1903, Seychelles became a separate British Crown Colony.

By 1963, political parties had developed in the Seychelles colony. Elections in 1963 were contested for the first time on party lines. In 1964 two new parties, the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) led by James Mancham, and the Seychelles People’s Unity Party (SPUP) led by France Albert Rene, replaced existing parties.

In March 1970, colonial and political representatives of Seychelles met in London for a constitutional convention. Elections in November 1970 brought the resulting constitution into effect. In the November 1970 elections, the SDP won 10 seats, and the SPUP won 5 in the Legislative Assembly. Under the new constitution, Mancham became the Chief Minister of the colony.

Further elections were held in April 1974, in which both major political parties campaigned for independence. During the April 1974 elections, the SDP increased its majority in the Legislative Assembly by 3 seats, gaining all but 2 of the 15 seats. Demarcation of constituencies was such that the SDP achieved this majority by winning only 52% of the popular vote.

Following the 1974 election, negotiations with the British resulted in an agreement by which Seychelles became a sovereign republic on June 29, 1976. The SDP and SPUP formed a coalition government in June 1975 to lead Seychelles to independence. The British Government was asked to appoint an electoral review commission so that divergent views on the electoral system and composition of the legislature could be reconciled.

As a result, 10 seats were added to the Legislative Assembly, 5 to be nominated by each party. A cabinet of ministers also was formed consisting of 8 members of the SDP and 4 of the SPUP, with Chief Minister Mancham becoming Prime Minister. With independence on June 29, 1976, Mancham assumed the office of President and Rene became Prime Minister.

The negotiations following the 1974 elections also restored the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Des Roches to Seychelles upon independence; those islands had been transferred in November 1965 from Seychelles to form part of the new British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).

Although the SDP/SPUP coalition appeared to operate smoothly, political divisions between the two parties continued. On June 5, 1977, during Mancham’s absence at the London Commonwealth Conference, supporters of Prime Minister Rene overthrew Mancham in a smoothly executed coup and installed Rene as President. President Rene suspended the constitution and dismissed the parliament. The country was ruled by decree until June 1979, when a new constitution was adopted.

In November 1981, a group of mercenaries attempted to overthrow the Rene government but failed when they were detected at the airport and repelled. The government was threatened again by an army mutiny in August 1982, but it was quelled after 2 days when loyal troops, reinforced by Tanzanian forces, recaptured rebel-held installations.

At an Extraordinary Congress of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF) on December 4, 1991, President Rene announced a return to the multiparty system of government after almost 16 years of one-party rule. On December 27, 1991, the Constitution of Seychelles was amended to allow for the registration of political parties. Among the exiles returning to Seychelles was James Mancham, who returned in April 1992 to revive his party, the Democratic Party (DP). By the end of that month, eight political parties had registered to contest the first stage of the transition process: election to the constitutional commission, which took place on July 23-26, 1992. The constitutional commission was made up of 22 elected members, 14 from the SPPF and 8 from the DP. It commenced work on August 27, 1992 with both President Rene and Mancham calling for national reconciliation and consensus on a new democratic constitution.

A consensus text was agreed upon on May 7, 1993, and a referendum to approve it was called for June 15-18. The draft was approved with 73.9% of the electorate in favor of it and 24.1% against. July 23-26, 1993 saw the first multiparty presidential and legislative elections held under the new constitution, as well as a resounding victory for President Rene.

Three political groups contested the elections—the SPPF, the DP, and the United Opposition (UO)—a coalition of three smaller political parties, including Parti Seselwa. Two other smaller opposition parties threw in their lot with the DP. All participating parties and international observer groups accepted the results as “free and fair.” Three candidates contested the March 20-22, 1998 presidential election—Albert Rene, SPPF; James Mancham, DP; and Wavel Ramkalawan—and once again President Rene and his SPPF party won a landslide victory. The President’s popularity in elections jumped to 66.6% in 1998 from 59.5% in 1993, while the SPPF garnered 61.7% of the total votes cast in the 1998 National Assembly election, compared to 56.5% in 1993.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

The president is both the chief of state and head of government and is elected by popular vote for a 5-year term. The Council of Ministers serves as a cabinet, and its members are appointed by the president. The unicameral National Assembly has 34 seats—25 elected by popular vote and 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve 5-year terms. The judicial branch includes a Court of Appeal and Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president. The legal system is based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law.

Seychelles has had a multi-party system with the adoption of a new Constitution in 1992. Since then, multiparty elections took place in 1993, 1998, 2001, and 2006. The Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF) won all four elections.

Presidential elections were held in July 2006. Incumbent President James Michel of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front, who was appointed to power by former President Rene in 2004, won his first elected term. The final vote count was 53.73% for Michel to 45.71% for opposition alliance candidate and Seychelles National Party (SNP) leader, Wavel Ramkalawan. The electoral process for the 2006 presidential elections was determined to be credible by international observers. Parliamentary elections are expected to be held in 2007.

Principal Government Officials

Last Updated: 9/26/2006

President: James Alix MICHEL

Vice President: Joseph BELMONT

Min. of Agriculture & Marine Resources: William HERMINIE

Min. of Arts, Culture, & Sports: Sylvette POOL

Min. of Community Development & Youth: Vincent MERITON

Min. of Education: Bernard SHAMLAYE

Min. of Environment: Ronnie JUMEAU

Min. of Finance & Designated Minister: Danny FAURE

Min. of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation: Patrick Georges PILLAY

Min. of Health: MacSuzy MONDON

Min. of Land Use & Habitiat: Joel MORGAN

Min. of Investment, Industries, & Technology: Jacqueline DUGASSE

Min. of Internal Affairs, Defense, & Legal Affairs: James Alix MICHEL

Min. of Public Administration: Joseph BELMONT

Min. of Social Affairs & Employment: Marie-Pierre LLOYD

Min. of Tourism & Transport: Joseph BELMONT

Governor, Central Bank: Norman WEBER

Ambassador to the US:

Permanent Representative to the UN, New York: Jeremie BONNELAME

ECONOMY

Based on per capita income, the overall performance of the economy since independence must be considered satisfactory, with a seven-fold increase from some $1,000 per capita in 1976 to $7,600 today. The public sector, comprising the government and state-owned enterprises, dominates the economy in terms of employment (two-thirds of the labor force) and gross revenue. Public consumption absorbs over one-third of the gross domestic product (GDP). GDP growth in 2001 was 3.3%.

The economy rests on tourism and fishing. For 2000, the Central Bank estimates that the Seychelles economy grew by around 1.4% in real terms, despite a foreign exchange problem, which affected primarily the manufacturing industry.

The economy’s growth in 2000 was thanks largely to a rebound in the tourism industry and the strength of the fishing sector. In 2001, tourism accounted for about 12.7% of GDP, and the manufacturing and construction sectors, including industrial fishing, accounted for about 28.8%.

But the country’s economy is extremely vulnerable to external shocks. Not only does it depend on tourism, but it imports more than 90% of its total primary and secondary production inputs. Any decline in tourism quickly translates into a fall in GDP, a decline in foreign exchange receipts, and budgetary difficulties.

Furthermore, recent changes in the climate have greatly affected the tuna industry.

Services

Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the economy. Employment, foreign earnings, construction, banking, and commerce are all dominated by tourism-related industries. Tourism arrivals, one of the two main indicators of vitality in the sector, grew by 4.1% in 2000. A strong marketing effort by the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA) and the introduction of several new five-star hotels seems to have spurred the growth. Officials hoped that new hotels on the drawing board and expanded airline service to the island would help offset the possibility of reduced global travel in the environment following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. In 2003, tourism earned $681.3 million. About 122,000 tourists visited Seychelles in 2003, 81.7% of them from Europe (U.K., Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland).

In 2000, there were encouraging performances in service sectors besides tourism, namely the telecommunications sector, where the boom in mobile services continues. According to the telecommunications division of the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication, one in every four Seychellois owns a mobile phone. In recent years, some port operations have been privatized, a trend that has been accompanied by a fall in transshipment fees and an increase in efficiency. Overall, this has sparked a recovery in port services following a drastic fall in 1994.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for economic decisions and budgetary policy. A separate Monetary Authority supervises the banking system and manages the money supply. Although foreign banks operate branches in Seychelles, the government owns the two local banks—the Development Bank of Seychelles, which mobilizes resources to fund development programs, and the Seychelles Saving Bank, a bank for savings and current accounts.

The commercial banking sector is presently made up of the following:

• Barclays Bank PLC;
• Mauritius Commercial Bank;
• Bank of Baroda;
• Habib Bank; and
• Seychelles International Mercantile Credit Banking Corporation (SIMBC) trading under the name “Nouvobanq.”

The first four are branches of foreign banks, and the latter is a joint venture between the Seychelles Government and the Standard Chartered Bank African PLC. Commercial banks offer the full range of services.

Industry and Agriculture

Industrial fishing in Seychelles, notably tuna fishing, is an increasingly significant factor in the economy. In 2000, industrial fishing surpassed tourism as the most important foreign exchange earner. Earnings are growing annually from licensing fees paid by foreign trawlers fishing in Seychelles’ territorial waters. In 1995, Seychelles saw the privatization of the Seychelles Tuna Canning Factory, 60% of which was purchased by the American food company Heinz Inc.

Agriculture, (including artisanal and forestry), once the backbone of the economy, now accounts for only around 2.4% of the GDP. While the tourism and industrial fishing industries were on a roll in the late 1990s, the traditional plantation economy atrophied. Cinnamon barks and copra—traditional export crops—had dwindled to negligible amounts by 1991. There were no exports of copra in 1996; 318 tons of cinnamon bark was exported in 1996, reflecting a decrease of 35% in cinnamon bark exports from 1995. In an effort to increase agricultural self-sufficiency, Seychelles has undertaken steps to make the sector more productive and to provide incentives to farmers. Much of the state holdings in the agricultural sector have been privatized, while the role of the government has been reduced to conducting research and providing infrastructure.

Other industrial activities are limited to small-scale manufacturing, particularly agro-processing and import substitution. Despite attempts to improve its agricultural base and emphasize locally manufactured products and indigenous materials, Seychelles continues to import 90% of what it consumes. The exceptions are some fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, pork, beer, cigarettes, paint, and a few locally made plastic items. Imports of all kind are controlled by the Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB), a government parastatal which operates all the major supermarkets and is the distributor and licensor of most other imports.

DEFENSE

In 2002, Seychelles had a defense force (Seychelles People’s Defence Forces) of about 800 army personnel, including 300 in the presidential protection unit. The army has one infantry battalion and two artillery elements. Paramilitary forces include a national guard consisting of 1,000 people and a coast guard estimated at 250 and divided into two divisions, the naval wing and security or infantry division.

The Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), which was created in 1992, assumes many of the maritime roles commonly associated with the U.S. Coast Guard. They recently acquired responsibility for search and rescue for vessel incidents as well as environmental protection from the Port and Marine Services Division. SCG has several operational vessels: the Russian-built Fortune, the Italian-built Andromache, the Scorpio, two Indian manufactured vessels, four Motor Life Boats, and the luxury yacht Gemini that also is used as the presidential yacht.

The air wing of the defense force separated from the coast guard in 1997 and does not have any dedicated aircraft, but it sometimes supplies pilots and aircrews to fly search and rescue missions. Their primary duty is to train pilots. The Island Development Corporation (IDC) maintains the pool of aircraft, using them for sources of income by chartering them out. The aircraft inventory includes one Caravan F-406, one Defender, one Cessna 150, and one Beech 1900.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Seychelles follows a policy of what it describes as “positive” nonalignment and strongly supports the principle of reduced superpower presence in the Indian Ocean.

The Seychelles Government is one of the proponents of the Indian Ocean zone of peace concept, and it has promoted an end to the U.S. presence on Diego Garcia. Seychelles’ foreign policy position has placed it generally toward the left of the spectrum within the Nonaligned Movement.

The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, France, India, China, and Cuba maintain embassies in Victoria. Seychelles has an ambassador resident in New York dually accredited to the United Nations and to the United States and Canada. It also has a resident ambassador to France.

Seychelles is a member of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM), the African Union, Commonwealth, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), La Francophonie, and the UN and some of its specialized and related agencies.

U.S.-SEYCHELLES RELATIONS

The year 1963 marked the beginning of an official U.S. presence in Seychelles when the U.S. Air Force Tracking Station was built and put into operation on Mahé. The USAF Tracking Station facilities were situated on land that was leased from the Seychelles Government ($4.5 million annually).

The station’s complement consisted of five uniformed Air Force personnel (two officers and three sergeants), 65 employees of Loral Corporation and Johnson Instruments, and 150 Seychellois employees. The USAF Tracking Station officially closed down on September 30, 1996.

Peace Corps Volunteers served in Seychelles between 1974 and 1995. A U.S. consulate was opened in May 1976 and became an Embassy after Seychelles’ independence in June 1976. The Embassy was subsequently closed in August 1996, and the United States opened a consular agency on September 2, 1996 to provide services to residents of Seychelles. The agency is under the supervision of the American Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius. The U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius also is accredited to Seychelles.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

PORT LOUIS (E) Address: 4th Floor Rogers House, Port Louis, Mauritius; Phone: (230) 202-4400; Fax: (230) 208-9534; INMARSAT Tel: 881631439038/881631439039; Workweek: M-Th: 0730-1645; F: 0730-1230; Website: http://mauritius.usembassy.gov/.

Last Updated: 11/30/2006

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet : November 15, 2006

Country Description: The Republic of Seychelles consists of 115 islands off the east coast of Africa. The main islands of this archipelago include Mahe, which is the largest, followed by Praslin and La Digue. The total population is approximately 81,000. The capital, Victoria, is located on Mahe.

Entry/Exit Requirements: A valid passport, onward/return ticket, the local address where the visitor will stay, and proof of sufficient funds are required. A one-month entry visa may be obtained upon arrival and may be extended for a period of up to one year. There is an airport departure tax of $40, which must be paid in U.S. dollars. Travelers should contact the Permanent Mission of the Seychelles to the United Nations, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, N.Y. 10017; telephone number (212) 972-1785, for the most current visa information.

Safety and Security: U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations. It is dangerous to swim alone at isolated beaches, especially after dark, due to strong currents.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site, where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Crime: Petty crime is a problem, but violent crime against tourists is rare. To reduce the risk of theft, travelers should keep valuables in hotel safes and close and lock hotel windows at night, even while the room is occupied. Hotels that do not have private safes in the rooms will usually have one at the reception desk.

Information for Victims of Crime: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

Medical Facilities and Health Information: Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited, especially on the isolated islands where doctors are often unavailable. There is one government-owned hospital and several private clinics.

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of cases of chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. For more information and information on current outbreaks, please see the CDC’s fact sheet on Chikungunya.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Seychelles is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

In Seychelles, one drives on the left side of the street. Roads are generally well maintained but are narrow and winding. Drivers should exercise caution due to a lack of shoulders and inadequate street lighting. Speed limits range from 25 to 50 miles an hour. Drivers and front seat passengers are required to wear seat belts. There are no laws regarding child safety seats.

The Seychelles Ministry of Health operates an ambulance service on the islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue that can be summoned by dialing 999. Assistance on the more remote islands is limited. For more information, contact the Ministry of Health at P.O. Box 52, Victoria, Maher, Seychelles; telephone (248) 388 000; email: [email protected]. Public transportation by bus is good but tends to be crowded during rush hours and usually requires several transfers to reach a desired destination. Taxis are also available.

For specific information concerning Seychelles driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism via email at [email protected] or the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority via email at [email protected].

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Seychelles, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Seychelles’ Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s internet website at http://www.faa.gov.

Special Circumstances: Due to strict laws regulating foreign exchange, all visitors are required to settle bills for tourism-related services in foreign currency, i.e. U.S. Dollars or Euros. Generally, cash, traveler’s checks, and some credit cards are accepted. This regulation applies to all hotel charges (including bar and restaurant bills), car/driver rental, tours, boat charters, and diving. Bills for restaurants outside hotels and for taxis and other incidentals may be settled in Seychellois rupees. Visitors should note that automatic teller machines (ATMs) only distribute Seychellois rupees, and the Seychellois government limits the amount of Seychellois rupees visitors can convert back into foreign exchange before leaving the country. Also, it can be difficult to obtain foreign exchange while in Seychelles, so visitors may wish to bring some cash with them and check on options for payment of tourism-related services before arrival. Exchanging money on the informal, black market is illegal. The Government of Seychelles prohibits wearing any camouflage apparel in the country unless one is participating in a sanctioned, military activity.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country’s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Seychelles law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Seychelles are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sex with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, and is prosecutable in the United States.

Children’s Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues website at http://travel.state.gov/family/family_1732.html.

Registration/Embassy Location: Americans living or traveling in Seychelles are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis Mauritius through the State Depart-ment’s travel registration website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Seychelles. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Rogers House, Fourth Floor, Port Louis, Mauritius. The telephone numbers are (230) 202 4400; fax (230) 208 9534. In the event of an after hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (230) 253 3641. The Embassy website is http://mauritius.usembassy.gov; e-mail [email protected]. The U.S. Consular Agency in Victoria, Seychelles that provides limited services to Americans in need of assistance is temporarily closed due to a staffing gap. When the consular agency reopens U.S. citizens will again be able to obtain passport applications, Social Security applications, and consular report of birth applications there. In the interim, U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Seychelles requiring assistance are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius. The U.S. Consular Agency is located at Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria, Mahe; telephone (248) 225-256; fax (248) 225-189; e-mail [email protected]. The international mailing address is U.S. Consular Agency, P.O. Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.

International Adoption : October 2006

The information below has been edited from a report of the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services. For more information, please read the International Adoption section of this book and review current reports online at www.travel.state.gov/family.

Disclaimer: The information in this flyer relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and current understanding. Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.

Patterns of Immigration: Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics show that there have only been three orphan immigrant visas issued to children from Seychelles in the past five fiscal years.

Adoption Authority:
Ministry of Social Affairs and
Employment
Social Services Section
Oceangate House
P O Box 190
Victoria
Seychelles

Eligibility Requirements for Adoptive Parents: An adoption application may be made by a married couple or by a single person who is at least 21 years of age.

Residency Requirements: Adoptive parents are required to live with the child for at least three months before the adoption is finalized.

Time Frame: More than three months. The adoptive parent is required to stay in the country for at least three months for the purpose of monitoring the adoption and being available to the Social Services Department.

Adoption Agencies and Attorneys: There are no private adoption agencies. The Social Services Department oversees the adoption process.

Adoption Fees: There are no social service fees. The only fees involved are related to attorneys’ fees.

Adoption Procedures: The prospective adoptive parents need to first identify a child and obtain the consent from biological parents. Prospective adoptive parents must undergo a medical test to determine their medical fitness with regards to raising children. Medical tests are also required from the prospective adoptees. Once this is done, the prospective adoptive parents may apply for adoption to the Supreme Court of Seychelles. The Department of Social Service’s role is to carry out an investigation with respect to the applicant’s suitability to adopt and to make an appropriate recommendation to the Supreme Court of Seychelles with respect to the application for adoption. They typically review the following:

• Experience, attitude and ability to raise a child;
• Background of prospective adoptive parent(s);
• Civil status (stability);
• Employment status/income;
• Housing/home condition (a U.S. home study may be accepted in lieu of this requirement);
• Attitude of other members of the household;
• Biological parents’ understanding of what an adoption order entails and reasons for consenting to the adoption;
• The child’s feelings with regards to the adoption (if child is old enough).

Documentary Requirements:

• Identity of adoptive parents;
• Marriage certificate, if married;
• Medical certificate of adoptive parents and child to be adopted;
• Completed application for an adoption order;
• Documents of consent from adoptive child’s biological parent(s).

Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles:
c/o Permanent Mission of Seychelles
to the United Nations
800 Second Avenue, Suite 400
New York NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 687-9766
Fax: (212) 972-1786

U.S. Immigration Requirements: Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to consult USCIS publication M-249, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children, as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions. Please see the International Adoption section of this book for more details and review current reports online at www.travel.state.gov/family.

Embassy of the United States of America:
4th Floor, Rogers House
John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (230) 202-4400
Fax: (230) 208 9534

Additional Information: Specific questions about adoption in Seychelles may be addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius. General questions regarding intercountry adoption may be addressed to the Office of Children’s Issues, U.S. Department of State, CA/OCS/CI, SA-29, 4th Floor, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818, toll-free Tel: 1-888-407-4747.

SEYCHELLES

Compiled from the January 2005 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:
Republic of Seychelles

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 444 sq. km; about 2.5 times the size of Washington DC.

Major islands: Mahe and Praslin.

Cities: Capital—Victoria.

Terrain: About half of the islands are granitic in origin, with narrow coastal strips and central ranges of hills rising to 905 m. The other half are coral atolls, many uninhabitable.

Climate: Tropical marine.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective—Seychellois.

Population: (2002 est.) 80,098.

Annual growth rate: (1999) 1.7%.

Ethnic groups: Creole (European, Asian, and African).

Religions: Catholic 86.6%, Anglican Church 6.8%, other Christians 2.5%, other 4.1%.

Languages: Official languages are Creole, English, and French.

Education: Public schools and private schools, compulsory through grade 10. Literacy (1994)—87.5%.

Health: Free government health services for all people. Life expectancy—male 65.48 yrs, female 73.63 yrs. Infant mortality rate—16.86/1000.

Work force: 32,382 with 3,550 unemployed. Industries include tourism, fishing, manufacturing, and construction.

Government

Type: Multiple-party republic.

Independence: June 29, 1976.

Constitution: June 18, 1993.

Branches: Executive—president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative—unicameral National Assembly with 34 seats (25 directly elected and 9 allocated on a proportional basis). Judicial—Supreme Court, Appeals Court.

Political parties: Democratic Party (DP), Seychelles National Party (SNP), Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF).

Suffrage: Universal over 17.

Economy

GDP: $603.9 million.

Annual growth rate: (2001) 3.3%.

Per capita income: $7,600.

Avg. Inflation rate: (1999) 6%.

Natural resources: Fish.

Agriculture: Copra, cinnamon, vanilla, coconuts, sweet potatoes, tapioca, bananas, tuna, chicken.

Industry: Tourism, re-exports, maritime services.

Trade: Exports (2001)—$182.6 million: canned tuna, frozen/fresh fish, frozen prawns, cinnamon bark. Imports (2001)—$360.2 million. Major partners—France, Italy, U.K., Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia.

Official exchange rate: (November 2003) 5.74 rupees=U.S.$1.

Economic aid received: (1995) $16.4 million.

GEOGRAPHY

Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) east of Kenya. The nation is an archipelago of 115 tropical islands with two distinct collections of islands, some comprised of granite and others of coral. The Mahe Group consists of 42 granite islands, all within a 56-kilometer (35-mi.) radius of the main island of Mahe. These islands are rocky, and most have a narrow coastal stripe and a central range of hills rising as high as 914 meters (3,000 ft.). Mahe is the largest island—9,142 sq. km (55 sq. mi.)—and is the site of Victoria, the capital. The coral islands are flat with elevated coral reefs at different stages of formation. They have no fresh water; human life can be sustained on them only with difficulty.

The climate is equable and healthy, although quite humid, as the islands are small and subject to marine influences. The temperature varies little throughout the year. Temperatures on Mahe vary from 24ºC to 29.9ºC (75ºF-85ºF), and rainfall ranges from 288 centimeters (90 in.) annually at Victoria to 355 centimeters (140 in.) on the mountain slopes. Precipitation is somewhat less on the other islands. During the coolest months, July and August, the temperature drops to as low as 70ºF. The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November, and this is the most pleasant time of the year. The hot months are from December to April, with higher humidity (80). March and April are the hottest months, but the temperature seldom exceeds 88ºF. Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt, so high winds are rare.

PEOPLE

About 90% of the Seychellois people live on Mahe Island. Most others live on Praslin and La Digue, with the remaining smaller islands either sparsely populated or uninhabited.

Most Seychellois are descendants of early French settlers and the African slaves brought to the Seychelles in the 19th century by the British, who freed them from slave ships on the East African coast. Indians and Chinese (1.1% of the population) account for the other permanent inhabitants. In 2002, about 4,000 expatriates lived and worked in Seychelles. Of those, about 35 are American.

Seychelles culture is a mixture of French and African (Creole) influences. Creole is the native language of 94% of the people; however, English and French are commonly used. English remains the language of government and commerce.

About 88% of the adult population is literate, and the literacy rate of school-aged children has risen to well over 98%. Increases are expected, as nearly all children of primary school age attend school, and the government encourages adult education.

HISTORY

The Seychelles islands remained uninhabited for more than 150 years after they became known to Western explorers. The islands appeared on Portuguese charts as early as 1505, although Arabs may have visited them much earlier. In 1742, the French Governor of Mauritius, Mahe de Labourdonais, sent an expedition to the islands. A second expedition in 1756 reasserted formal possession by France and gave the islands their present name in honor of the French finance minister under King Louis XV. The new French colony barely survived its first decade and did not begin to flourish until 1794, when Queau de Quincy became commandant.

The Seychelles islands were captured and freed several times during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, then passed officially to the British under the 1814 Treaty of Paris.

From the date of its founding by the French until 1903, the Seychelles colony was regarded as a dependency of Mauritius, which also passed from the French to British rule in 1814. In 1888, a separate administrator and executive and administrative councils were established for the Seychelles archipelago. Nine years later, the administrator acquired full powers of a British colonial governor, and on August 31, 1903, Seychelles became a separate British Crown Colony.

By 1963, political parties had developed in the Seychelles colony. Elections in 1963 were contested for the first time on party lines. In 1964 two new parties, the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) led by James Mancham, and the Seychelles People's Unity Party (SPUP) led by France Albert Rene, replaced existing parties.

In March 1970, colonial and political representatives of Seychelles met in London for a constitutional convention. Elections in November 1970 brought the resulting constitution into effect. In the November 1970 elections, the SDP won 10 seats, and the SPUP won 5 in the Legislative Assembly. Under the new constitution, Mancham became the Chief Minister of the colony.

Further elections were held in April 1974, in which both major political parties campaigned for independence. During the April 1974 elections, the SDP increased its majority in the Legislative Assembly by 3 seats, gaining all but 2 of the 15 seats. Demarcation of constituencies was such that the SDP achieved this majority by winning only 52% of the popular vote.

Following the 1974 election, negotiations with the British resulted in an agreement by which Seychelles became a sovereign republic on June 29, 1976. The SDP and SPUP formed a coalition government in June 1975 to lead Seychelles to independence. The British Government was asked to appoint an electoral review commission so that divergent views on the electoral system and composition of the legislature could be reconciled. As a result, 10 seats were added to the Legislative Assembly, 5 to be nominated by each party. A cabinet of ministers also was formed consisting of 8 members of the SDP and 4 of the SPUP, with Chief Minister Mancham becoming Prime Minister. With independence on June 29, 1976, Mancham assumed the office of President and Rene became Prime Minister.

The negotiations following the 1974 elections also restored the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Des Roches to Seychelles upon independence; those islands had been transferred in November 1965 from Seychelles to form part of the new British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).

Although the SDP/SPUP coalition appeared to operate smoothly, political divisions between the two parties continued. On June 5, 1977, during Mancham's absence at the London Commonwealth Conference, supporters of Prime Minister Rene overthrew Mancham in a smoothly executed coup and installed Rene as President. President Rene suspended the constitution

and dismissed the parliament. The country was ruled by decree until June 1979, when a new constitution was adopted.

In November 1981, a group of mercenaries attempted to overthrow the Rene government but failed when they were detected at the airport and repelled. The government was threatened again by an army mutiny in August 1982, but it was quelled after 2 days when loyal troops, reinforced by Tanzanian forces, recaptured rebel-held installations.

At an Extraordinary Congress of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) on December 4, 1991, President Rene announced a return to the multiparty system of government after almost 16 years of one-party rule. On December 27, 1991, the Constitution of Seychelles was amended to allow for the registration of political parties. Among the exiles returning to Seychelles was James Mancham, who returned in April 1992 to revive his party, the Democratic Party (DP). By the end of that month, eight political parties had registered to contest the first stage of the transition process: election to the constitutional commission, which took place on July 23-26, 1992.

The constitutional commission was made up of 22 elected members, 14 from the SPPF and 8 from the DP. It commenced work on August 27, 1992 with both President Rene and Mancham calling for national reconciliation and consensus on a new democratic constitution. A consensus text was agreed upon on May 7, 1993, and a referendum to approve it was called for June 15-18. The draft was approved with 73.9% of the electorate in favor of it and 24.1% against.

July 23-26, 1993 saw the first multi-party presidential and legislative elections held under the new constitution, as well as a resounding victory for President Rene. Three political groups contested the elections—the SPPF, the DP, and the United Opposition (UO)—a coalition of three smaller political parties, including Parti Seselwa. Two other smaller opposition parties threw in their lot with the DP. All participating parties and international observer groups accepted the results as "free and fair."

Three candidates contested the March 20-22, 1998 presidential election—Albert Rene, SPPF; James Mancham, DP; and Wavel Ramkalawan—and once again President Rene and his SPPF party won a landslide victory. The President's popularity in elections jumped to 66.6% in 1998 from 59.5% in 1993, while the SPPF garnered 61.7% of the total votes cast in the 1998 National Assembly election, compared to 56.5% in 1993.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

The president is both the chief of state and head of government and is elected by popular vote for a 5-year term. The Council of Ministers serves as a cabinet, and its members are appointed by the president. The unicameral National Assembly has 34 seats—25 elected by popular vote and 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve 5-year terms. The judicial branch includes a Court of Appeal and Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president. The legal system is based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law.

Early presidential elections originally set for 2003 were called in August-September 2001. The government party (SPPF) once again prevailed, although the main opposition party, the Seychelles National Party—previously known as the United Opposition Party, headed by Wavel Ramkalawan—made a surprisingly strong showing and collected 46% of the total votes. The DP, headed by James Mancham, did not take part in the elections. Legislative elections held in December 2002 saw the SPPF retain a strong majority in the National Assembly, winning a total of 23 of the 34 seats. The SNP won 11.

During 2003, the President and the SPPF dominated the country through a pervasive system of political patronage, control over government jobs, contracts, and resources. The judiciary was inefficient, lacked resources, and was subject to executive interference. The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in some areas. President Rene and the SPPF continued to wield power virtually unchecked. Security forces detained citizens during weekends to avoid compliance with the constitution's 24-hour "charge or release" provision. The government sometimes infringed on citizens' privacy rights. There were some restrictions on freedom of the press. Women's rights were limited, and discrimination against foreign workers also was a problem.

Principal Government Officials

Last Updated: 4/20/04

President: Michel , James Alix
Vice President: Belmont , Joseph
Min. of Administration: Alexander , Noellie
Min. of Social Affairs and Employment: Dolor , Ernesta
Min. of Environment: Jumeau , Ronnie
Min. of Education: Faure , Danny
Min. of Finance, Economic Planning, Information, Technology, & Communication:
Min. of Foreign Affairs, Planning, & Environment: Bonnelame , Jeremie
Min. of Industries and International Business: Dugasse , Jacqueline
Min. of Housing and Land Use: Belmont , Joseph
Min. of Health: Pillay , Patrick
Min. of Internal Affairs, Defense, & Legal Affairs: Rene , France Albert
Min. of Local Government, Sports and Culture: Pool , Sylvette
Min. of Agriculture and Marine Resources: Herminie , William
Min. of Tourism & Civil Aviation: De Comarmond , Simone
Governor, Central Bank: Weber , Norman
Ambassador to the US: Morel , Claude
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York: Morel , Claude

Ambassador Claude Morel, resident in New York, is simultaneously accredited to the United Nations, the United States, and Canada.

ECONOMY

Based on per capita income, the over-all performance of the economy since independence must be considered satisfactory, with a seven-fold increase from some $1,000 per capita in 1976 to $7,600 today. The public sector, comprising the government and state-owned enterprises, dominates the economy in terms of employment (two-thirds of the labor force) and gross revenue. Public consumption absorbs over one-third of the gross domestic product (GDP). GDP growth in 2001 was 3.3%.

The economy rests on tourism and fishing. For 2000, the Central Bank estimates that the Seychelles economy grew by around 1.4% in real terms, despite a foreign exchange problem, which affected primarily the manufacturing industry. The economy's growth in 2000 was thanks largely to a rebound in the tourism industry and the strength of the fishing sector. In 2001, tourism accounted for about 12.7% of GDP, and the manufacturing and construction sectors, including industrial fishing, accounted for about 28.8%.

But the country's economy is extremely vulnerable to external shocks. Not only does it depend on tourism, but it imports more than 90% of its total primary and secondary production inputs. Any decline in tourism quickly translates into a fall in GDP, a decline in foreign exchange receipts, and budgetary difficulties. Furthermore, recent changes in the climate have greatly affected the tuna industry.

Services

Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the economy. Employment, foreign earnings, construction, banking, and commerce are all dominated by tourism-related industries. Tourism arrivals, one of the two main indicators of vitality in the sector, grew by 4.1% in 2000. A strong marketing effort by the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA) and the introduction of several new five-star hotels seems to have spurred the growth. Officials hoped that new hotels on the drawing board and expanded airline service to the island would help offset the possibility of reduced global travel in the environment following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. In 2003, tourism earned $681.3 million. About 122,000 tourists visited Seychelles in 2003, 81.7% of them from Europe (U.K., Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland).

In 2000, there were encouraging performances in service sectors besides tourism, namely the telecommunications sector, where the boom in mobile services continues. According to the telecommunications division of the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication, one in every four Seychellois owns a mobile phone. In recent years, some port operations have been privatized, a trend that has been accompanied by a fall in transshipment fees and an increase in efficiency. Overall, this has sparked a recovery in port services following a drastic fall in 1994.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for economic decisions and budgetary policy. A separate Monetary Authority supervises the banking system and manages the money supply. Although foreign banks operate branches in Seychelles, the government owns the two local banks—the Development Bank of Seychelles, which mobilizes resources to fund development programs, and the Seychelles Saving Bank, a bank for savings and current accounts. The commercial banking sector is presently made up of the following:

• Barclays Bank PLC;
• Mauritius Commercial Bank;
• Bank of Baroda;
• Habib Bank; and
• Seychelles International Mercantile Credit Banking Corporation (SIMBC) trading under the name "Nouvobanq."

The first four are branches of foreign banks, and the latter is a joint venture between the Seychelles Government and the Standard Chartered Bank African PLC. Commercial banks offer the full range of services.

Industry and Agriculture

Industrial fishing in Seychelles, notably tuna fishing, is an increasingly significant factor in the economy. In 2000, industrial fishing surpassed tourism as the most important foreign exchange earner. Earnings are growing annually from licensing fees paid by foreign trawlers fishing in Seychelles' territorial waters. In 1995, Seychelles saw the privatization of the Seychelles Tuna Canning Factory, 60% of which was purchased by the American food company Heinz Inc.

Agriculture, (including artisanal and forestry), once the backbone of the economy, now accounts for only around 2.4% of the GDP. While the tourism and industrial fishing industries were on a roll in the late 1990s, the traditional plantation economy atrophied. Cinnamon barks and copra—traditional export crops—had dwindled to negligible amounts by 1991. There were no exports of copra in 1996; 318 tons of cinnamon bark was exported in 1996, reflecting a decrease of 35% in cinnamon bark exports from 1995. In an effort to increase agricultural self-sufficiency, Seychelles has undertaken steps to make the sector more productive and to provide incentives to farmers. Much of the state holdings in the agricultural sector have been privatized, while the role of the government has been reduced to conducting research and providing infrastructure.

Other industrial activities are limited to smallscale manufacturing, particularly agro-processing and import substitution. Despite attempts to improve its agricultural base and emphasize locally manufactured products and indigenous materials, Seychelles continues to import 90% of what it consumes. The exceptions are some fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, pork, beer, cigarettes, paint, and a few locally made plastic items. Imports of all kind are controlled by the Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB), a government parastatal which operates all the major super-markets and is the distributor and licensor of most other imports.

DEFENSE

In 2002, Seychelles had a defense force (Seychelles People's Defence Forces) of about 800 army personnel, including 300 in the presidential protection unit. The army has one infantry battalion and two artillery elements. Paramilitary forces include a national guard consisting of 1,000 people and a coast guard estimated at 250 and divided into two divisions, the naval wing and security or infantry division.

The Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), which was created in 1992, assumes many of the maritime roles commonly associated with the U.S. Coast Guard. They recently acquired responsibility for search and rescue for vessel incidents as well as environmental protection from the Port and Marine Services Division. SCG has four ship operational vessels: the Russian-built Fortune, the Italian-built Andromache, the Scorpio, and the luxury yacht Gemini that also is used as the presidential yacht. All of their vessels are past their life expectancy.

The air wing of the defense force separated from the coast guard in 1997 and does not have any dedicated aircraft, but it sometimes supplies pilots and aircrews to fly search and rescue missions. Their primary duty is to train pilots. The Island Development Corporation (IDC) maintains the pool of aircraft, using them for sources of income by chartering them out. The aircraft inventory includes one Caravan F-406, one Defender, one Cessna 150, and one Beech 1900.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Seychelles follows a policy of what it describes as "positive" nonalignment and strongly supports the principle of reduced superpower presence in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles Government is one of the proponents of the Indian Ocean zone of peace concept, and it has promoted an end to the U.S. presence on Diego Garcia. Seychelles' foreign policy position has placed it generally toward the left of the spectrum within the Nonaligned Movement. The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, France, India, China, and Cuba maintain embassies in Victoria. Seychelles has an ambassador resident in New York dually accredited to the United Nations and to the United States and Canada. It also has a resident ambassador to France.

Seychelles is a member of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM), the African Union, Commonwealth, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), La Francophonie, and the UN and some of its specialized and related agencies.

U.S.-SEYCHELLES RELATIONS

The year 1963 marked the beginning of an official U.S. presence in Seychelles when the U.S. Air Force Tracking Station was built and put into operation on Mahe. The USAF Tracking Station facilities were situated on land that was leased from the Seychelles Government ($4.5 million annually). The station's complement consisted of five uniformed Air Force personnel (two officers and three sergeants), 65 employees of Loral Corporation and Johnson Instruments, and 150 Seychellois employees. The USAF Tracking Station officially closed down on September 30, 1996.

Peace Corps Volunteers served in Seychelles between 1974 and 1995. A U.S. consulate was opened in May 1976 and became an Embassy after Seychelles' independence in June 1976. The Embassy was subsequently closed in August 1996, and the United States opened a consular agency on September 2, 1996 to provide services to residents of Seychelles. The agency is under the supervision of the American Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius. The U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius also is accredited to Comoros and Seychelles.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

PORT LOUIS (E) Address: Rogers House, Port Louis, Mauritius; Phone: (230) 202-4400; Fax: (230) 208-9534; INMARSAT Tel: 881631439038/881631439039; Workweek: Monday-Friday, 0730-1600; Website: http://mauritius.usembassy.gov/

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet

July 7, 2004

Country Description: The Republic of Seychelles consists of 115 islands off the east coast of Africa. The main islands of this archipelago include Mahe, which is the largest and has a population of approximately 71,000, followed by Praslin and La Digue, which have populations of approximately 7,000 and 2,000, respectively. Rainfall varies from island to island, but Seychelles is not normally affected by hurricanes. English and French are the official languages. The capital, Victoria, is located on Mahe.

Entry/Exit Requirements: A valid passport, onward/return ticket, the local address where the visitor will stay, and proof of sufficient funds are required. A one-month entry visa may be obtained upon arrival and may be extended for a period of up to one year. There is an airport departure tax of $40, which must be paid in U.S. dollars. For further information, travelers should contact the Permanent Mission of the Seychelles to the United Nations, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, N.Y. 10017; telephone number (212) 972-1785.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry and departure.

Safety and Security: U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations. It is dangerous to swim alone at isolated beaches, especially after dark, due to strong currents.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Crime: Petty crime is a problem, but violent crime against tourists is rare. Travelers who keep valuables in hotel safes and who close and lock hotel windows at night, even while the room is occupied, are less likely to be at risk. Hotels that do not have private safes in the rooms will usually have one at the reception desk.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius at (230) 202 4400. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited, especially on the isolated islands where doctors are often unavailable. There is one government-owned hospital and several private clinics.

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the

United States. However, many travel agents and insurance companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred over-seas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties.

When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

Other Health Information: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Seychelles is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of Roadside/Ambulance Assistance: Fair

In Seychelles, one drives on the left side of the street. Roads are generally well maintained but are narrow and winding. Drivers should exercise caution due to a lack of shoulders and inadequate street lighting. Speed limits range from 25 to 50 miles an hour. Drivers and front seat passengers are required to wear seat belts. There are no laws regarding child safety seats.

The Seychelles Ministry of Health operates an ambulance service on the islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue that can be summoned by dialing 999. Assistance on the more remote islands is limited. For more information, contact the Ministry of Health at P.O. Box 52, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles; telephone (248) 388 000; email: [email protected].

Public transportation by bus is good but tends to be crowded during rush hours and usually requires several transfers to reach a desired destination. Taxis are also available.

For additional information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific information concerning Seychelles driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism via email at [email protected] or the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority via email at [email protected].

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service between the U.S. and the Seychelles by local carriers at present, nor economic authority to operate such service, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Seychelles's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Seychelles air carrier operations.

Customs Regulations: Seychelles customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation/exportation of firearms and spear fishing equipment. Travelers who wish to bring in fresh fruits, vegetables, or meats must have a certificate from the country of import. Warm-blooded animals must undergo a minimum quarantine period of six months. For specific information regarding customs requirements, travelers should contact the Permanent Mission of the Seychelles to the United Nations in the United States.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/reports/2003/special301.htm.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Seychelles law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Seychelles are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to engage in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18, whether or not the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien intended to engage in such illicit sexual conduct prior to going abroad. For purposes of the PROTECT Act, illicit sexual conduct includes any commercial sex act in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18. The law defines a commercial sex act as any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or received by a person under the age of 18.

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is a crime to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transmit information about a minor under the age of 16 for criminal sexual purposes that include, among other things, the production of child pornography. This same law makes it a crime to use any facility of inter-state or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transport obscene materials to minors under the age of 16.

Special Circumstances: Many of the outer islands of Seychelles are extremely isolated, and travel by ship to these areas, including for rescue attempts, may be impossible in stormy weather. The outer islands have no airstrips to accommodate air traffic.

Recent amendments to Seychelles foreign exchange laws require that visitors must pay their hotel bills with a U.S. credit card or U.S. currency. Visitors wishing to exchange foreign currency for Seychelles rupees are strongly advised to do so at officially sanctioned banks or hotels, as exchanging money with unauthorized dealers at the black-market rate is a felony.

Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Inter-net site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

Registration/Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in Seychelles closed in August 1996, and consular responsibility was transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius, located at Rogers House (fourth floor) on John F. Kennedy Street in Port Louis. Americans living in or visiting Seychelles are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and obtain updated information on travel and security within Seychelles. The telephone numbers are (230) 202-4400; fax (230) 208-9534 and (230) 202-4401. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (230) 253-3641. The Embassy website is http://mauritius.usembassy.gov; e-mail [email protected].

There is a U.S. Consular Agency in Victoria, Seychelles that provides limited services such as distribution of the following forms: passport applications, Social Security applications, and consular report of birth applications. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Seychelles are encouraged to register at the Consular Agency and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Seychelles. The agency is located at Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria, Mahe; telephone (248) 225-256; fax (248) 225-189; e-mail [email protected]. The international mailing address is U.S. Consular Agency, P.O. Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.

Seychelles

PROFILE
GEOGRAPHY
PEOPLE
HISTORY
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
ECONOMY
DEFENSE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
U.S.-SEYCHELLES RELATIONS
TRAVEL

Compiled from the December 2007 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:

Republic of Seychelles

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 444 sq. km; about 2.5 times the size of Washington DC.

Major islands: Mahe and Praslin.

Cities: Capital—Victoria.

Terrain: About half of the islands are granitic in origin, with narrow coastal strips and central ranges of hills rising to 905 m. The other half are coral atolls, many uninhabitable.

Climate: Tropical marine.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective—Seychellois.

Population: (2006 est.) 86,000.

Annual growth rate: (2006 est.) 1%.

Ethnic groups: Creole (European, Asian, and African).

Religions: Catholic 86.6%, Anglican Church 6.8%, other Christians 2.5%, other 4.1%.

Languages: Official languages are Creole, English, and French.

Education: Public schools and private schools, compulsory through grade 10. Literacy (1994)—87.5%.

Health: Free government health services for all people. Life expectancy—male 65.48 yrs, female 73.63 yrs. Infant mortality rate—16.86/1000.

Work force: 32,382 with 3,550 unemployed. Industries include tourism, fishing, manufacturing, and construction.

Government

Type: Multiple-party republic.

Independence: June 29, 1976.

Constitution: June 18, 1993.

Government branches: Executive—president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative—unicameral National Assembly with 34 seats (25 directly elected and 9 allocated on a proportional basis). Judicial—Supreme Court, Appeals Court.

Political parties: Democratic Party (DP), Seychelles National Party (SNP), Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF).

Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy

GDP: (2005) $693 million.

Annual growth rate: (2005) -1.5%.

Per capita income: (2005) $8,682.

Average inflation rate: (2005) 0.9%.

Natural resources: Fish.

Agriculture: Copra, cinnamon, vanilla, coconuts, sweet potatoes, tapioca, bananas, tuna, chicken, teas.

Industry: Tourism, re-exports, maritime services.

Trade: Exports (2005)—$355 million: canned tuna, frozen/fresh fish, frozen prawns, cinnamon bark. Imports (2005)—$620 million. Major partners—France, Italy, U.K., Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia.

Exchange rate: (May 2007) 6.10 rupees=U.S.$1.

Aid per capita: (2003) $110.

GEOGRAPHY

Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) east of Kenya. The nation is an archipelago of 115 tropical islands with two distinct collections of islands, some comprised of granite and others of coral. The Mahe Group consists of 42 granite islands, all within a 56-kilometer (35-mi.) radius of the main island of Mahe. These islands are rocky, and most have a narrow coastal stripe and a central range of hills rising as high as 914 meters (3,000 ft.). Mahe is the largest island—9,142 sq. km (55 sq. mi.)— and is the site of Victoria, the capital. The coral islands are flat with elevated coral reefs at different stages of formation. They have no fresh water; human life can be sustained on them only with difficulty.

The climate is equable and healthy, although quite humid, as the islands are small and subject to marine influences. The temperature varies little throughout the year. Temperatures on Mahe vary from 24°C to 29.9°C (75°F-85°F), and rainfall ranges from 288 centimeters (90 in.) annually at Victoria to 355 centimeters (140 in.) on the mountain slopes. Precipitation is somewhat less on the other islands. During the coolest months, July and August, the temperature drops to as low as 70°F. The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November, and this is the most pleasant time of the year. The hot months are from December to April, with higher humidity (80). March and April are the hottest months, but the temperature seldom exceeds 88°F. Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt, so high winds are rare.

PEOPLE

About 90% of the Seychellois people live on Mahe Island. Most others live on Praslin and La Digue, with the remaining smaller islands either sparsely populated or uninhabited.

Most Seychellois are descendants of early French settlers and the African slaves brought to the Seychelles in the 19th century by the British, who freed them from slave ships on the East African coast. Indians and Chinese (1.1% of the population) account for the other permanent inhabitants. In 2006, about 4,000 expatriates lived and worked in Seychelles. Of those, about 65 were American.

Seychelles culture is a mixture of French and African (Creole) influences. Creole is the native language of 94% of the people; however, English and French are commonly used. English remains the language of government and commerce.

About 92% of the population over age 15 is literate, and the literacy rate of school-aged children has risen to well over 98%. Increases are expected, as nearly all children of primary school age attend school, and the government encourages adult education.

HISTORY

The Seychelles islands remained uninhabited for more than 150 years after they became known to Western explorers. The islands appeared on Portuguese charts as early as 1505, although Arabs may have visited them much earlier. In 1742, the French Governor of Mauritius, Mahe de Labourdonais, sent an expedition to the islands. A second expedition in 1756 reasserted formal possession by France and gave the islands their present name in honor of the French finance minister under King Louis XV. The new French colony barely survived its first decade and did not begin to flourish until 1794, when Queau de Quincy became commandant.

The Seychelles islands were captured and freed several times during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, then passed officially to the British under the 1814 Treaty of Paris.

From the date of its founding by the French until 1903, the Seychelles colony was regarded as a dependency of Mauritius, which also passed from the French to British rule in 1814. In 1888, a separate administrator and executive and administrative councils were established for the Seychelles archipelago. Nine years later, the administrator acquired full powers of a British colonial governor, and on August 31, 1903, Seychelles became a separate British Crown Colony.

By 1963, political parties had developed in the Seychelles colony. Elections in 1963 were contested for the first time on party lines. In 1964 two new parties, the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) led by James Man-cham, and the Seychelles People's Unity Party (SPUP) led by France Albert Rene, replaced existing parties.

In March 1970, colonial and political representatives of Seychelles met in London for a constitutional convention. Elections in November 1970 brought the resulting constitution into effect. In the November 1970 elections, the SDP won 10 seats, and the SPUP won 5 in the Legislative Assembly. Under the new constitution, Mancham became the Chief Minister of the colony.

Further elections were held in April 1974, in which both major political parties campaigned for independence. During the April 1974 elections, the SDP increased its majority in the Legislative Assembly by 3 seats, gaining all but 2 of the 15 seats. Demarcation of constituencies was such that the SDP achieved this majority by winning only 52% of the popular vote.

Following the 1974 election, negotiations with the British resulted in an agreement by which Seychelles became a sovereign republic on June 29, 1976. The SDP and SPUP formed a coalition government in June 1975 to lead Seychelles to independence. The British Government was asked to appoint an electoral review commission so that divergent views on the electoral system and composition of the legislature could be reconciled.

As a result, 10 seats were added to the Legislative Assembly, 5 to be nominated by each party. A cabinet of ministers also was formed consisting of 8 members of the SDP and 4 of the SPUP, with Chief Minister Mancham becoming Prime Minister. With independence on June 29, 1976, Mancham assumed the office of President and Rene became Prime Minister.

The negotiations following the 1974 elections also restored the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Des Roches to Seychelles upon independence; those islands had been transferred in November 1965 from Seychelles to form part of the new British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).

Although the SDP/SPUP coalition appeared to operate smoothly, political divisions between the two parties continued. On June 5, 1977, during Mancham's absence at the London Commonwealth Conference, supporters of Prime Minister Rene overthrew Mancham in a smoothly executed coup and installed Rene as President.

President Rene suspended the constitution and dismissed the parliament. The country was ruled by decree until June 1979, when a new constitution was adopted.

In November 1981, a group of mercenaries attempted to overthrow the Rene government but failed when they were detected at the airport and repelled. The government was threatened again by an army mutiny in August 1982, but it was quelled after 2 days when loyal troops, reinforced by Tanzanian forces, recaptured rebel-held installations. At an Extraordinary Congress of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) on December 4, 1991, President Rene announced a return to the multiparty system of government after almost 16 years of one-party rule. On December 27, 1991, the Constitution of Seychelles was amended to allow for the registration of political parties. Among the exiles returning to Seychelles was James Mancham, who returned in April 1992 to revive his party, the Democratic Party (DP). By the end of that month, eight political parties had registered to contest the first stage of the transition process: election to the constitutional commission, which took place on July 23-26, 1992.

The constitutional commission was made up of 22 elected members, 14 from the SPPF and 8 from the DP. It commenced work on August 27, 1992 with both President Rene and Man-cham calling for national reconciliation and consensus on a new democratic constitution. A consensus text was agreed upon on May 7, 1993, and a referendum to approve it was called for June 15-18. The draft was approved with 73.9% of the electorate in favor of it and 24.1% against.

July 23-26, 1993 saw the first multiparty presidential and legislative elections held under the new constitution, as well as a resounding victory for President Rene. Three political groups contested the elections—the SPPF, the DP, and the United Opposition (UO)—a coalition of three smaller political parties, including Parti Seselwa. Two other smaller opposition parties threw in their lot with the DP. All participating parties and international observer groups accepted the results as “free and fair.”

Three candidates contested the March 20-22, 1998 presidential election—Albert Rene, SPPF; James Mancham, DP; and Wavel Ramkala-wan—and once again President Rene and his SPPF party won a landslide victory. The President's popularity in elections jumped to 66.6% in 1998 from 59.5% in 1993, while the SPPF garnered 61.7% of the total votes cast in the 1998 National Assembly election, compared to 56.5% in 1993.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

The president is both the chief of state and head of government and is elected by popular vote for a 5-year term. The Council of Ministers serves as a cabinet, and its members are appointed by the president. The unicameral National Assembly has 34 seats—25 elected by popular vote and 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve 5-year terms. The judicial branch includes a Court of Appeal and Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president. The legal system is based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law.

Seychelles has had a multi-party system with the adoption of a new Constitution in 1992. Since then, multi-party elections took place in 1993, 1998, 2001, 2006, and 2007. The Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) won the presidency and majority in the National Assembly in all of the elections.

Presidential elections were held in July 2006. Incumbent President James Michel of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front, who was appointed to power by former President Rene in 2004, won his first elected term. The final vote count was 53.73% for Michel to 45.71% for opposition alliance candidate and Seychelles National Party (SNP) leader, Wavel Ramkalawan. The electoral process for the 2006 presidential elections was determined to be credible by international observers. Following a six-month boycott in the National Assembly by the SNP opposition party, President Michel dissolved the National Assembly on March 20, 2007. Early elections to fill the vacated National Assembly seats were held May 10-12, 2007. The SPPF won 18 district seats and the SNP/DP alliance won seven district seats. Under the system of proportional representation, the SPPF won five seats and the SNP/DP alliance won four seats. The electoral process for the 2007 National Assembly elections was determined to be credible by international observers.

Principal Government Officials

Last Updated: 2/1/2008

President: James Alix MICHEL

Vice President: Joseph BELMONT

Min. of Community Development, Youth, Sports, & Culture: Vincent MERITON

Min. of Education: Bernard SHAMLAYE

Min. of Employment & Human Resources Development: Macsuzy MONDON

Min. of Environment, National Resources, & Transport: Joel MORGAN

Min. of Finance & Designated Minister: Danny FAURE

Min. of Foreign Affairs: Patrick Georges PILLAY

Min. of National Development: Jacqueline DUGASSE

Min. of Social Development & Health: Marie-Pierre LLOYD

Governor, Central Bank: Francis CHANG LENG

Ambassador to the US: Jean Ronald JUMEAU

Permanent Representative to the UN, New York: Jean Ronald JUMEAU

ECONOMY

Seychelles's economy rests on tourism and fishing. Employment, foreign earnings, construction, banking, and commerce are all largely dependent on these two industries.

The services sector—including transport, communications, commerce, and tourism—has accounted for close to 70% of GDP in recent years. The share of manufacturing has been between 15-20% of GDP, although it fluctuates from year to year owing to changes in output from the Indian Ocean Tuna cannery. Public investment in infrastructure has kept construction buoyant, with its share of GDP at around 10%. Given the shortage of arable land, agriculture, forestry, and fishing (excluding tuna) make a small contribution to national output.

GDP in 2005 was at $693 million and income per capita was at $8,682, by far the highest in Africa. This puts the island in the World Bank's upper middle-income bracket with the result that Seychelles is low on the agenda of international donors and aid flows are limited. However, given the small size of the economy, the island remains vulnerable to external shocks.

Although the average per capita income is over $8,000, residents often have difficulty obtaining even basic foodstuffs, such as rice and sugar. Government mismanagement and excessive economic regulations, including a manipulated exchange rate, have resulted in foreign exchange shortages and a parallel market currency exchange rate double the official rate.

In 2005 and 2006, the government implemented several measures toward the liberalization of the trade regime and the privatization of state-owned entities, such as the removal of import licenses and the partial sale of the public insurance company SACOS. In October 2006, the Minister of Finance announced measures to start the process of a gradual liberalization of foreign exchange transactions. These limited measures, however, are unlikely to influence an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which continues to press for devaluation as an important step toward resolving the persistent shortage of foreign exchange.

Although Seychelles is eligible for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), it has failed to take advantage of AGOA thus far. Seychelles is not qualified for apparel benefits under AGOA and, in any case, its apparel manufacturing capacity is negligible.

DEFENSE

In 2002, Seychelles had a defense force (Seychelles People's Defence Forces) of about 800 army personnel, including 300 in the presidential protection unit. The army has one infantry battalion and two artillery elements. Paramilitary forces include a national guard consisting of 1,000 people and a coast guard estimated at 250 and divided into two divisions, the naval wing and security or infantry division.

The Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), which was created in 1992, assumes many of the maritime roles commonly associated with the U.S. Coast Guard. They recently acquired responsibility for search and rescue for vessel incidents as well as environmental protection from the Port and Marine Services Division. SCG has several operational vessels: the Russian-built Fortune, the Italian-built Andromache, the Scorpio, two Indian manufactured vessels, four Motor Life Boats, and the luxury yacht Gemini that also is used as the presidential yacht.

The air wing of the defense force separated from the coast guard in 1997 and does not have any dedicated aircraft, but it sometimes supplies pilots and aircrews to fly search and rescue missions. Their primary duty is to train pilots. The Island Development Corporation (IDC) maintains the pool of aircraft, using them for sources of income by chartering them out. The aircraft inventory includes one Caravan F-406, one Defender, one Cessna 150, and one Beech 1900.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Seychelles follows a policy of what it describes as “positive” nonalignment and strongly supports the principle of reduced superpower presence in the Indian Ocean.

The Seychelles Government is one of the proponents of the Indian Ocean zone of peace concept, and it has promoted an end to the U.S. presence on Diego Garcia. Seychelles' foreign policy position has placed it generally toward the left of the spectrum within the Nonaligned Movement.

The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, France, India, China, and Cuba maintain embassies in Victoria. Seychelles has an ambassador resident in New York dually accredited to the United Nations and to the United States and Canada. It also has a resident ambassador to France and Belgium. In early 2007, the Seychelles Government announced the opening of new missions in South Africa, China, Italy, and India. Seychelles is a member of the Nonaligned Movement (NAM), the African Union, Commonwealth, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), La Francophonie, and the UN and some of its specialized and related agencies.

U.S.-SEYCHELLES RELATIONS

The year 1963 marked the beginning of an official U.S. presence in Seychelles when the U.S. Air Force Tracking Station was built and put into operation on Mahe. The USAF Tracking Station facilities were situated on land that was leased from the Seychelles Government ($4.5 million annually).

The station's complement consisted of five uniformed Air Force personnel (two officers and three sergeants), 65 employees of Loral Corporation and Johnson Instruments, and 150 Seychellois employees. The USAF Tracking Station officially closed down on September 30, 1996.

Peace Corps Volunteers served in Seychelles between 1974 and 1995. A U.S. consulate was opened in May 1976 and became an Embassy after Seychelles' independence in June 1976. The Embassy was subsequently closed in August 1996, and the United States opened a consular agency on September 2, 1996 to provide services to residents of Seychelles. The agency is under the supervision of the American Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius. The U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius also is accredited to Seychelles.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

Last Updated: 2/19/2008

PORT LOUIS (E) 4th Floor Rogers House, John Kennedy St., Port Louis, Mauritius, (230) 202-4400, Fax (230) 208-9534, INMARSAT Tel 881631439038/881631439039, Workweek: M-Th: 0730-1645; F:0730-1230, Website: http://mauritius.usembassy.gov.

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet

October 12, 2007

Country Description: The Republic of Seychelles consists of 115 islands off the east coast of Africa. The main islands of this archipelago include Mahe, which is the largest, followed by Praslin and La Digue. The total population is approximately 81,000. The capital, Victoria, is located on Mahe.

Entry Requirements: A valid passport, onward/return ticket, the local address where the visitor will stay, and proof of sufficient funds are required. A one-month entry visa may be obtained upon arrival and may be extended for a period of up to one year. There is an airport departure tax of approximately $40, which must be paid in U.S. dollars. This charge is typically included in the cost of an airline ticket. Travelers should contact the Permanent Mission of the Seychelles to the United Nations, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017; telephone number (212) 972-1785, for the most current visa information.

Safety and Security: U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations. It is dangerous to swim alone at isolated beaches, especially after dark, due to strong currents.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affair's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.

Crime: Petty crime is a problem, but violent crime against tourists is rare. To reduce the risk of theft, travelers should keep valuables in hotel safes and close and lock hotel windows at night, even while the room is occupied. Hotels that do not have private safes in the rooms will usually have one at the reception desk.

Information for Victims of Crime: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

Medical Facilities and Health Information: Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited, especially on the isolated islands where doctors are often unavailable. There is one government-owned hospital and several private clinics.

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of cases of chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes, and also of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease transmitted to humans and animals by exposure to water contaminated by infected animals. For more information and information on current outbreaks, please see the CDC's fact sheets on Chikun-gunya at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel. For information about out-breaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Seychelles is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

In Seychelles, one drives on the left side of the street. Roads are generally well maintained but are narrow and winding. Drivers should exercise caution due to a lack of shoulders and inadequate street lighting. Speed limits range from 25 to 50 miles an hour. Drivers and front seat passengers are required to wear seat belts. There are no laws regarding child safety seats.

Public transportation by bus is good but tends to be crowded during rush hours and usually requires several transfers to reach a desired destination. Taxis are also available.

The Seychelles Ministry of Health operates an ambulance service on the islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue that can be contacted by dialing 999. Assistance on the more remote islands is limited. For more information, contact the Ministry of Health at P.O. Box 52, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles; telephone (248) 388 000; email: mohps@seychelles. net.

For specific information concerning Seychelles driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism via email at [email protected]. You may also contact the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority via email at [email protected].

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Seychelles, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Seychelles' Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA's Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov.

Special Circumstances: Due to strict laws regulating foreign exchange, all visitors are required to settle bills for tourism-related services in foreign currency, i.e., U.S. Dollars or Euros. Generally, cash, traveler's checks, and some credit cards are accepted. This regulation applies to all hotel charges (including bar and restaurant bills), car/driver rental, tours, boat charters, and diving. Bills for restaurants outside hotels and for taxis and other incidentals may be settled in Seychellois rupees but it is advisable to inquire prior to engaging services.

Visitors should note that automatic teller machines (ATMs) only distribute Seychellois rupees, and the Seychellois government limits the amount of Seychellois rupees visitors can convert back into foreign exchange before leaving the country. Banks are currently authorized to convert 800 rupees back into foreign currency and will do so only upon presentation of an exchange receipt. It is advisable to spend all rupees prior to passing customs and immigration at the airport. Also, it can be difficult to obtain foreign exchange while in Seychelles, so visitors may wish to bring some cash with them and check on options for payment of tourism-related services before arrival. Exchanging money on the informal, black market is a criminal offense.

The Government of Seychelles prohibits wearing any camouflage apparel in the country unless one is participating in a sanctioned, military activity.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Seychelles' law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Seychelles are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sex with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, and is prosecutable in the United States.

Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children's Issues website at http://travel.state.gov/family.

Registration and Embassy Locations: Americans living or traveling in Seychelles are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis Mauritius through the State Department's travel registration website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Seychelles. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Rogers House, Fourth Floor, Port Louis, Mauritius. The telephone numbers are (230) 202 4400; fax (230) 208 9534. In the event of an after hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (230) 253 3641. The Embassy website is http://mauritius.usembassy.gov, email [email protected].

The U.S. Consular Agency in Victoria, Seychelles is open to U.S. citizens Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 to 12:30. U.S. citizens are able to obtain passport applications, Social Security applications, and consular report of birth applications there.

The U.S. Consular Agency is located at Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria, Mahe; telephone (248) 225-256; fax (248) 225-189; e-mail consular [email protected]. The international mailing address is U.S. Consular Agency, P.O. Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.

International Adoption

October 2006

The information in this section has been edited from a report of the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services. For more information, please read the International Adoption section of this book and review current reports online at http://travel.state.gov/family.

Disclaimer: The information in this flyer relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and current understanding. Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.

Patterns of Immigration: Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics show that there have only been three orphan immigrant visas issued to children from Seychelles in the past five fiscal years.

Adoption Authority:
Ministry of Social Affairs and
Employment
Social Services Section
Oceangate House
P O Box 190
Victoria
Seychelles

Eligibility Requirements for Adoptive Parents: An adoption application may be made by a married couple or by a single person who is at least 21 years of age.

Residency Requirements: Adoptive parents are required to live with the child for at least three months before the adoption is finalized.

Time Frame: More than three months. The adoptive parent is required to stay in the country for at least three months for the purpose of monitoring the adoption and being available to the Social Services Department.

Adoption Agencies and Attorneys: There are no private adoption agencies. The Social Services Department oversees the adoption process.

Adoption Fees: There are no social service fees. The only fees involved are related to attorneys' fees.

Adoption Procedures: The prospective adoptive parents need to first identify a child and obtain the consent from biological parents. The “consent to an adoption order” must be signed by the biological parent(s) in front of a judge or notary. Prospective adoptive parents must undergo a medical test to determine their medical fitness with regards to raising children. The exam may be completed by any doctor in Seychelles. Prospective parents may obtain a form entitled “Medical cerficates as to health of applicants” from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

Medical tests are also required from the prospective adoptees. Once this is done, the prospective adoptive parents may apply for adoption to the Supreme Court of Seychelles. The Department of Social Service's role is to carry out an investigation with respect to the applicant's suitability to adopt and to make an appropriate recommendation to the Supreme Court of Seychelles with respect to the application for adoption. They typically review the following:

• Experience, attitude and ability to raise a child;
• Background of prospective adoptive parent(s);
• Civil status (stability);
• Employment status/income;
• Housing/home condition (a U.S. home study may be accepted in lieu of this requirement);
• Attitude of other members of the household;
• Biological parents' understanding of what an adoption order entails and reasons for consenting to the adoption;
• The child's feelings with regards to the adoption (if child is old enough).

Required Documents:

• Identity of adoptive parents;
• Marriage certificate, if married;
• Medical certificate of adoptive parents and child to be adopted;
• Completed application for an adoption order;
• Documents of consent from adoptive child's biological parent(s).

Embassy of the Republic of Seychelles
c/o Permanent Mission of Seychelles
to the United Nations
800 Second Avenue, Suite 400,
New York NY 10017
Telephone: (212) 687-9766
Fax: (212) 972-1786

U.S. Immigration Requirements: Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to consult USCIS publication M-249, The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children, as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions. Please see the International Adoption section of this book for more details and review current reports online at http://travel.state.gov/family.

Embassy of the United States of America
4th Floor, Rogers House
John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (230) 202-4400
Fax: (230) 208 9534

U.S. Embassy
P.O. Box 606
Village Market
00621 Nairobi, Kenya

Additional Information: Specific questions about adoption in Seychelles may be addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius. General questions regarding intercountry adoption may be addressed to the Office of Children's Issues, U.S. Department of State, CA/OCS/CI, SA-29, 4th Floor, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818, toll-free Tel: 1-888-407-4747.

SEYCHELLES

Compiled from the November 2001 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:
Republic of Seychelles

PROFILE
GEOGRAPHY
PEOPLE
HISTORY
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
ECONOMY
FOREIGN RELATIONS
DEFENSE
U.S.-SEYCHELLES RELATIONS
TRAVEL

PROFILE

Geography

Area: 444 sq. km; about 2.5 times the size of Washington DC.

Major Islands: Mahe and Praslin.

Cities: Capital—Victoria.

Terrain: About half of the islands are granitic in origin, with narrow coastal strips and central ranges of hills rising to 905 m. The other half are coral atolls, many uninhabitable.

Climate: Tropical marine.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective—Seychellois.

Population: (2002 est.) 80,098.

Annual growth rate: (1999) 1.7%.

Ethnic groups: Creole (European, Asian, and African).

Religions: Catholic 86.6%, Anglican Church 6.8%, other Christians 2.5%, other 4.1%.

Languages: Official languages are Creole, English, and French.

Education: Public schools and Private schools, compulsory through grade 10. Literacy (1994)—87.5%.

Health: Free government health services for all people. Life expectancy—male 65.48 yrs, female 73.63 yrs. Infant mortality rate—16.86/1000.

Work force: 32,382 with 3,550 unemployed. Industries include tourism, fishing, manufacturing, and construction.

Government

Type: Multiple-party republic.

Independence: June 29, 1976.

Constitution: June 18, 1993.

Branches: Executive—president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative—Unicameral National Assembly with 34 seats (25 directly elected and 9 allocated on a proportional basis). Judicial—Supreme Court, Appeals Court.

Political parties: Democratic Party (DP), Seychelles National Party (SNP), Seychelles People Progressive Front (SPPF).

Suffrage: Universal over 17.

Economy

GDP: $603.9 million.

Annual growth rate: 3.3%.(2001)

Per capita income: $7,600.

Avg. Inflation rate: (1999) 6%.

Natural resources: Fish.

Agriculture: Copra, cinnamon, vanilla, coconuts, sweet potatoes, tapioca, bananas, tuna, chicken.

Industry: Tourism, re-exports, maritime services.

Trade: Exports (2001)—$182.6 million: canned tuna, frozen/fresh fish, frozen prawns, cinnamon bark. Imports (2001)—$360.2 million. Major partners—France, Italy, UK, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia.|

Official exchange rate: (November 2003) 5.74 rupees=U.S.$1.

Economic aid received: (1995) $16.4 million.

GEOGRAPHY

Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) east of Kenya. The nation is an archipelago of 115 beautiful, tropical islands with two distinct collections of islands, some comprised of granite and others of coral. The Mahe Group consists of 42 granite islands, all within a 56-kilometer (35 mi.) radius of the main island of Mahe. These islands are rocky, and most have a narrow coastal stripe and a central range of hills rising as high as 914 meters (3,000 ft.). Mahe is the largest island—9,142 sq. km (55-sq. mi.)—and is the site of Victoria, the capital. The coral islands are flat with elevated coral reefs at different stages of formation. They have no fresh water and can sustain human life only with difficulty.

The climate is equable and healthy, although quite humid, as the islands are small and subject to marine influences. The temperature varies little throughout the year. Temperatures on Maher vary from 24°C to 29.9°C (75°F-85°F), and rainfall ranges from 288 centimeters (90 in.) annually at Victoria to 355 centimeters (140 in.) on the mountain slopes. Precipitation is somewhat less on the other islands. During the coolest months, July and August, it drops to as low as 70°F. The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November, and this is the most pleasant time of the year. The hot months are from December to April, with higher humidity (80). March and April are the hottest months, but the temperature seldom exceeds 88°F. Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt, so high winds are rare.

PEOPLE

About 90% of the Seychellois people live on Mahe Island. Most others live on Parsleyn and La Digue, with the remaining smaller islands either sparsely populated or uninhabited.

Most Seychellois are descendants of early French settlers and the African slaves brought to the Seychelles in the 19th century by the British, who freed them from slave ships on the East African coast. Indians and Chinese (1.1% of the population) account for the other permanent inhabitants. About 4,000 (2002) expatriates live and work in Seychelles. Of those, about 35 are American.

Seychelles culture is a mixture of French and African (Creole) influences. Creole is the native language of 94% of the people, however, English and French are commonly used. English remains the language of government and commerce.

About 88% of the adult population is literate, and the literacy rate of school-aged children has risen to well over 98%. Increases are expected, as nearly all children of primary school age attend school, and the government encourages adult education.

HISTORY

The Seychelles islands remained uninhabited for more than 150 years after they became known to Western explorers. The island appeared on Portuguese charts as early 1505, although Arabs may have visited them much earlier. In 1742, the French Governor of Mauritius, Mahe de Labourdonais, sent an expedition to the islands. A second expedition in 1756 reasserted formal possession by France and gave the islands their present name in honor of the French finance minister under King Louis
XV. The new French colony barely survived its first decade and did not begin to flourish until 1794, when Queau de Quincy became commandant.

The Seychelles islands were captured and freed several times during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars, then passed officially to the British under the Treaty of Paris 1814.

From the date of its founding by the French until 1903, the Seychelles Colony was regarded as a dependency of Mauritius, which also passed from the French to British rule in 1814. In 1888, a separate administrator and executive and administrative councils were established for the Seychelles archipelago. Nine years later, the administrator acquired full powers of a British colonial governor, and on August 31, 1903, Seychelles became a separate British Crown Colony.

In March 1970, colonial and political representatives of Seychelles met in London for a constitutional convention. Elections in November 1970 brought a resulting constitution into effect. Further elections were held in April 1974, in which both major political parties campaigned for independence. Following this election, negotiations with the British resulted in an agreement by which Seychelles became a sovereign republic on June 29, 1976. These negotiations also restored the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Des Roches, which had been transferred from Seychelles in November 1965 to form part of the new British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to Seychelles up on independence.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

By 1963, political parties had developed in the Seychelles colony. Elections held that year were contested for the first time on party lines. The following year, two new parties, the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) led by James Mancham, and the Seychelles People's Unity Party (SPUP) led by France Albert Rene, replaced existing parties. In the November 1970 elections, the SDP won 10 seats, and the SPUP won five in the Legislative Assembly. Under the new constitution, Mancham became the chief minister of the colony.

During the April 1974 elections, the SDP increased its majority in the Legislative Assembly by three seats, gaining all but two of the 15 seats. Demarcation of constituencies was such that the SDP achieved this majority by winning only 52% of the popular vote.

The SDP and SPUP formed a coalition government in June 1975 to lead Seychelles to independence. The British Government was asked to appoint an electoral review commission so that divergent views on the electoral system and composition of the legislature could be reconciled. As a result, 10 seats were added to the Legislative Assembly, five to be nominated by each party. A cabinet of ministers also was formed consisting of eight members of the SDP and four of the SPUP, with Chief Minister Mancham becoming prime minister. With independence on June 29, 1976, Mancham assumed the office of president and Rene became prime minister.

Although the coalition appeared to operate smoothly, political divisions between the two parties continued.

On June 5, 1977, during Mancham's absence at the London Commonwealth Conference, supporters of Prime Minister Rene overthrew Mancham in a smoothly executed coup and installed Rene as president. President Rene suspended the constitution and dismissed the Parliament. The country was ruled by decree until June 1979, when a new constitution was adopted.

In November 1981, a group of mercenaries attempted to overthrow the Rene government but failed when they were detected at the airport and repelled. The government was threatened again by an army mutiny in August 1982, but it was quelled after 2 days when loyal troops, reinforced by Tanzanian forces, recaptured rebel-held installations.

After almost 16 years of one-party rule, President Rene announced a return to the multiparty system of government at an Extraordinary Congress of the SPPF on December 4, 1991. On December 27, 1991, the Constitution of Seychelles was amended to allow for the registration of political parties. Among the exiles returning to Seychelles was James Mancham, who returned in April 1992 to revive his party, the Democratic Party (DP). By the end of that month, eight political parties had registered to contest the first stage of the transition process: election to the Constitutional Commission, which took place on July 23-26, 1992.

The Constitutional Commission was made up of 22 elected members, 14 from the SPPF and eight from the DP. It commenced work on August 27, 1992 with both President Rene and Mancham calling for national reconciliation and consensus on a new democratic Constitution. A consensus text was agreed upon on May 7, 1993, and a referendum to approve it called for June 15-18. The draft was approved with 73.9% of the electorate in favor of it and 24.1% against.

July 23-26, 1993 saw the first multiparty presidential and legislative elections held under the new constitution, as well as a resounding victory
for President Rene. Three political groups contested the elections—the SPPF, the DP, and the United Opposition (UO)—a coalition of three smaller political parties, including Parti Seselwa. Two other smaller opposition parties threw in their lot with the DP. All participating parties and international observer groups accepted the results as "free and fair."

Three candidates again contested the 1998 presidential election—Albert Rene, SPPF; James Mancham, DP; and Rev. Wavel Ramkalawan and once again President Rene and his SPPF party enjoyed a landslide victory. The President's popularity in March 20-22 elections jumped to 66.6% from 59.5% in 1993, while the SPPF garnered 61.7% of the total votes cast in the National Assembly election, compared to 56.5% in 1993.

Early presidential elections originally set for 2003 were called in August/September 2001. The Government Party SPPF once again prevailed, although the main Opposition Party, Seychelles National Party (previously known as the United Opposition Party) headed by Rev. Wavel Ramkalawan, made a surprisingly strong showing and collected 46% of the total votes. The DP, headed by Mr. Mancham, did not take part in the elections. Legislative elections held in December of 2002 saw the SPPF retain a strong majority in the National Assembly, winning a total of 23 of the 34 seats. The SNP won the remaining 9.

Principal Government Officials
Last Updated: 12/27/01

President: Rene, France Albert

Vice President, also Min. of Finance, Economic Planning, Information, Technology and Communication: Michel, James

Min. of Administration: Alexander, Noellie

Min. of Social Affairs and Employment: Dolor, Ernesta

Min. of Environment: Jumeau, Ronnie

Min. of Education: Faure, Danny

Min. of Foreign Affairs, Planning, & Environment: Bonnelame, Jeremie

Min. of Industries and International Business: Dugasse, Jacqueline

Min. of Housing and Land Use: Belmont, Joseph

Min. of Health: Pillay, Patrick

Min. of Internal Affairs, Defense, & Legal Affairs: Rene, France Albert

Min. of Local Government, Sports and Culture: Pool, Sylvette

Min. of Agriculture and Marine Resources: Herminie, William

Min. of Tourism & Civil Aviation: De Comarmond, Simone

Governor, Central Bank: Weber, Norman Ambassador to the US: Morel, Claude

Permanent Representative to the UN, New York: Morel, Claude

Seychelles has an ambassador resident in New York dually accredited to the United Nations and to the United States. Internationally, Seychelles is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Commonwealth, International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Whaling Commission (IWC), Indian Ocean Commission IOC), UN and some of its specialized and related agencies.

ECONOMY

The overall performance of the economy since independence must be conside red satisfactory. Per capita income has increased seven-fold from some $1,000 in 1976 to $7,600 today. The economy rests on tourism and fishing. Presently, tourism accounts for about 12.7% of the GDP and the manufacturing and construction sectors, including industrial fishing, account for about 28.8%. In 2000, industrial fishing surpassed tourism as the most important foreign exchange earner.

Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the economy, accounting for approximately 16.6% (2000) of GDP. Employment, foreign earnings, construction, banking, and commerce are all dominated by tourism-related industries. Tourism earned $631 million in 1999-2000. About 96,000 tourists visited Seychelles in 2002, 80.1% of them from Europe (U.K., Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland).

Industrial fishing in Seychelles, notably tuna fishing, is rapidly becoming a significant factor in the economy. Earnings are growing annually from licensing fees paid by foreign trawlers fishing in Seychelles' territorial waters. In 1995, Seychelles saw the privatization of the Seychelles Tuna Canning Factory, 60% of which was purchased by the American food company Heinz Inc. Similarly, some port operations have been privatized, a trend that has been accompanied by a fall in transshipment fees and an increase in efficiency. Overall, this has sparked a recovery in port services following a drastic fall in 1994.

While the tourism and industrial fishing industries were on a roll in the late 1990s, the traditional plantation economy atrophied. Cinnamon barks and copra—traditional export crops—d wind led to negligible amounts by 1991. There were no exports of copra in 1996; 318 tons of cinnamon bark was exported in 1996, reflecting a decrease of 35% in cinnamon bark exports from 1995.

Despite attempts to improve its agricultural base and emphasize locally manufactured products and indigenous materials, Seychelles continues to import 90% of what it consumes. The exceptions are some fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, pork, beer, cigarettes, paint, and a few locally made plastic items. Imports of all kind are controlled by the Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB), a government parastatal which operates all the major supermarkets and is the distributor and licensor of most other imports.

In an effort to increase agricultural self-sufficiency, Seychelles has undertaken steps to make the sector more productive and to provide incentives to farmers. Much of the state holdings in the agricultural sector have been privatized, while the role of the government has been reduced to conducting research and providing infrastructure.

Many of the other industrial activities are limited to smallscale manufacturing, particularly agroprocessing and import substitution. Agriculture: (including artisanal and forestry), once the backbone of the economy, now accounts for only around 3% of the GDP. The public sector, comprising the government and state-owned enterprises, dominates the economy in terms of employment and gross revenue. It employs two-thirds of the labor force. Public consumption absorbs over one-third of the GDP.

The country's economy is extremely vulnerable to external shocks. Not only does it depend on tourism, but it imports more than 90% of its total primary and secondary production inputs. Any decline in tourism quickly translates into a fall in GDP, a decline in foreign exchange receipts, and budgetary difficulties. Furthermore, recent changes in the climate have greatly affected the tuna industry.

The Central Bank estimates that the Seychelles economy grew by around
1.4% in real terms in 2000. Despite a foreign exchange problem, which affected primarily the manufacturing industry, the economy still grew thanks largely to a rebound in the tourism industry and the strength of the fishing sector. Tourism arrivals, one of the two main indicators of vitality in the sector, grew by 4.1% in 2000. Income also rose by 0.6%. A strong marketing effort by the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority (STMA) and the introduction of several new five-star hotels seems to have spurred the growth. Officials hope that new hotels on the drawing board and expanded airline service to the island will help offset the possibility of reduced global travel in the current environment.

In 2000, there also were encouraging performances in other sectors of service, namely the telecommunications sector, where the boom in mobile services continues to persist. According to the Telecommunications division of the Ministry of Information Technology and Communication, one in every four Seychellois now owns a mobile phone.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for economic decisions and budgetary policy. A separate Monetary Authority supervises the banking system and manages the money supply. Although foreign banks operate branches in Seychelles, the government owns the two local banks—the Development Bank of Seychelles, which mobilizes resources to fund development programs, and the Seychelles Saving Bank, a bank for savings and current accounts. The commercial banking sector is presently made up of the following:

• Barclays Bank PLC;
• Banque Francaise Commercial Ocean Indien;
• Bank of Baroda;
• Habib bank; and
• Seychelles International Mercantile Credit Banking Corporation (SIMBC) trading under the name "Nouvobanq."

The first four are branches of foreign banks and the latter is a joint venture between the Seychelles Government and the Standard Chartered Bank African PLC. Commercial banks offer the full range of services.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Seychelles follows a policy of what it describes as "positive" nonalignment and strongly supports the principle of reduced superpower presence in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles Government is one of the proponents of the Indian Ocean zone of peace concept, and it has promoted an end to the U.S. presence on Diego Garcia. Seychelles' foreign policy position has placed it generally toward the left of the spectrum within the Nonaligned Movement. The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, France, India, China, and Cuba maintain embassies in Victoria. Seychelles has an ambassador resident in New York dually accredited to the United Nations and to the United States. It also has resident ambassadors to the United Kingdom, France, and Malaysia.

DEFENSE

Seychelles had a defense force of about 800 army personnel in 2002, including 300 in the presidential protection unit. The army has one infantry battalion and two artillery elements. Paramilitary forces include a National Guard consisting of 1,000 people and a coast guard estimated at 250 and divided into two divisions, the Naval Wing and Security or Infantry Division. The Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), which was created in 1992, assumes many of the maritime roles commonly associated with the U.S. Coast Guard. They recently acquired responsibility for search and rescue for vessel incidents as well as environmental protection from the Port and Marine Services Division. SCG has three ship operational vessels: Russian built FORTUNE, Italian built ANDROMACHE, and the luxury yacht GEMINI that also is used as the presidential yacht. All of their vessels are past their life expectancy. The Air Wing of the People's Defense Force separated from the Coast Guard in 1997 and does not have any dedicated aircraft, but sometimes supplies, pilots, and aircrews to fly search and rescue missions. Their primary duty is to train pilots. The Island Development Corporation (IDC) maintains the pool of aircraft using them for sources of income by chartering them out. The aircraft inventory includes one Caravan F-460, one Defender, and one Beech 1900.

U.S.-SEYCHELLES RELATIONS

The year 1963 marked the beginning of an official U.S. presence in Seychelles when the U.S. Air Force Tracking Station was built and put into operation on Mahe. The U.S. Air Force Tracking Station facilities were situated on land that was leased from the Seychelles Government ($4.5 million annually). The station's complement consisted of five uniformed Air Force personnel (two officers and three sergeants), 65 employees of Loral Corporation and Johnson Instruments, and 150 Seychellois employees. The USAF Tracking Station officially closed down on September 30, 1996.

Peace Corps Volunteers served in Seychelles between 1974 and 1995. A U.S. consulate was opened in May 1976 and became an embassy after Seychelles' independence in June 1976. The embassy was subsequently closed in August 1996 and the United States opened a consular agency on September 2, 1996 to provide services to residents of the Seychelles. The agency is under the supervision of the American Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius. The U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius also is accredited to Comoros and Seychelles.

Principal U.S. Embassy

Officials

Port Louis (E), Rogers House (4th Fl.), John Kennedy St., Tel: [230] 202-4400; 208-2347 Fax 208-9534; Int'l. mail: P.O. Box 544, Port Louis, Mauritius; U.S. mail: 2450 Port Louis Place, Wash., D.C. 20521–2450. E-mail: [email protected]

Note: Port Louis is now responsible for Comoros and assumed responsibility for Seychelles on October 1, 1996.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 24, 2003

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet
September 10, 2003

Country Description: The Republic of Seychelles consists of 115 islands off the east coast of Africa. The main islands of this archipelago include Mahe, which is the largest and has a population of approximately 71,000, followed by Praslin and La Digue, which have populations of approximately 7,000 and 2,000, respectively. Rainfall varies from island to island, but Seychelles is not normally affected by hurricanes. English and French are the official languages. The capital, Victoria, is located on Mahe.

Entry Requirements: A valid passport, onward/return ticket, the local address where the visitor will stay, and proof of sufficient funds are required. A one-month entry visa may be obtained upon arrival and may be extended for a period of up to one year. There is an airport departure tax of $40, which must be paid in U.S. dollars. For further information, travelers should contact the Permanent Mission of the Seychelles to the United Nations, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, N.Y. 10017; telephone number (212) 972-1785.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry and departure.

Safety and Security: U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations. It is dangerous to swim alone at isolated beaches, especially after dark, due to strong currents.

Crime: Petty crime is a problem, but violent crime against tourists is rare. Travelers who keep valuables in hotel safes and who close and lock hotel windows at night, even while the room is occupied, are less likely to be at risk. Hotels that do not have private safes in the rooms will usually have one at the reception desk.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends, and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

Medical Facilities: Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited, especially on the isolated islands where doctors are often unavailable. There is one government-owned hospital and several private clinics.

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and insurance companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

Other Health Information: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Seychelles is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of Roadside/Ambulance Assistance: Fair

In Seychelles, one drives on the left side of the street. Roads are generally well maintained but are narrow and winding. Drivers should exercise caution due to a lack of shoulders and inadequate street lighting. Speed limits range from 25 to 50 miles an hour. Drivers and front seat passengers are required to wear seat belts. There are no laws regarding child safety seats.

The Seychelles Ministry of Health operates an ambulance service on the islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue that can be summoned by dialing 999. Assistance on the more remote islands is limited. For more information, contact the Ministry of Health at P.O. Box 52, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles; telephone (248) 388 000; email: [email protected].

Public transportation by bus is good but tends to be crowded during rush hours and usually requires several transfers to reach a desired destination. Taxis are also available.

For additional information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific information concerning Seychelles driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Seychelles Ministry of Tourism via email at [email protected] or the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority via email at [email protected].

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and the Seychelles, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Seychelles's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Seychelles air carrier operations.

For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA web-site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the DOD at (618) 229-4801.

Customs Regulations: Seychelles customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning the importation/exportation of firearms and spear fishing equipment. Travelers who wish to bring in fresh fruits, vegetables, or meats must have a certificate from the country of import. Warm-blooded animals must undergo a minimum quarantine period of six months. For specific information regarding customs requirements, travelers should contact the Permanent Mission of the Seychelles to the United Nations in the United States.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Seychelles law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Seychelles are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Special Circumstances: Many of the outer islands of Seychelles are extremely isolated, and travel by ship to these areas, including for rescue attempts, may be impossible in stormy weather. The outer islands have no airstrips to accommodate air traffic.

Recent amendments to Seychelles foreign exchange laws require that visitors must pay their hotel bills with a U.S. credit card or U.S. currency. Visitors wishing to exchange foreign currency for Seychelles rupees are strongly advised to do so at officially sanctioned banks or hotels, as exchanging money with unauthorized dealers at the black-market rate is a felony.

Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.

Registration/Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy in Seychelles closed in August 1996, and consular responsibility was transferred to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius, located at Rogers House (fourth floor) on John F. Kennedy Street in Port Louis. The telephone numbers are (230) 208-2347 and (230) 202-4400; fax (230) 208-9534 and (230) 202-4401. The Embassy website is http://mauritius.usembassy.gov; e-mail [email protected].

There is a U.S. Consular Agency in Victoria, Seychelles that provides limited services such as distribution of the following forms: passport applications, Social Security applications, and consular report of birth applications. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Seychelles are encouraged to register at the Consular Agency and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Seychelles. The agency is located at Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria, Mahe; telephone (248) 225-256; fax (248) 225-189; e-mail [email protected]. The international mailing address is U.S. Consular Agency, P.O. Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles.

Registration forms can also be downloaded from the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius home page. A photocopy of your U.S. passport data page should be attached to the registration form when registering with the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consular Agency.