Day: May 24, 2023

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, said his office condemn the kidnap and torturing of 30 women by heavily armed separatist fighters in Kedjom-keku village (Big Babanki), Tubah sub-division of the North West region on May 19 at about 8:30 am.

Simon Emile Mooh said the act is an example of gender-based violence and untold barbarism against armless civilians.

He went further to say that the perpetrators of this act against the elderly women, commonly called the “TAKUMBENGS” will not go unpunished.

In the release, Simon Emile Mooh mentioned that security forces have opened an investigation to track down the armed men and bring them before the law.

He reiterated the call for the population to collaborate with the administrative authorities, defense, and security forces to denounce and fish out these peace enemies for the return of normalcy.

The women were kidnapped following a peaceful protest organized on May 19, for an end to the atrocities of separatist fighters against the population.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Mobility from Deuk to Kon-Yambetta and vice versa in the Mbam and Inoubou division of the Centre region remains a veritable misery faced by the populations of these two localities.

The lone ferry that used to transport people, their goods, vehicles, motorcycles, and other materials is still unrepaired since it got bad on 19th June 2020, disconnecting the two localities.

Transportation is now done with the use of canoes powered by engines.

Apart from this issue, Deuk is also confronted by poor road networks. Most of its roads are seasonal and hectic to access during the rainy season.

“The nightmare is that of the roads. We suffer a lot. I can’t count how many times I have fallen from a bike. You understand what it means to live in an area without passable roads.” Mamouda Ibrahim, a native of Deuk recounted.

Electricity in Deuk is as well regarded as a luxury good, including pipe-borne water.

The newly installed D.O of Deuk, OKONG Louis-Phillippe has been challenged to work with the population, traditional leaders, and security forces to give the locality security and a new facelift.

“You must ensure the security of this people by working in collaboration with the traditional rulers, natives, and security forces for peace and security to prevail. Make sure the territory is safe from all sorts of criminal bands.” Addressed, Absolom Monono Woloa SDO for Mbam and Inoubou Division.

The Senior Civil administrator also urged the incoming D.O not to allow politicians to distract him from executing his duties justly. Instead, he should rally with the population, traditional leaders, administrative authorities, and security forces to get Deuk out of underdevelopment.

” When we have a lot to do, it is not necessary to walk on the path of darkness but light. This locality needs one thing, development. Dining with politicians will only send Deuk to the core of the earth.” The SDO added.

Deuk came into existence in 1992 and is one of the nine sub-divisions making up the Mbam and Inoubou Division. Agriculture is the principal activity but unfortunately, the farmers go through hell, to evacuate the farm produce to markets in and out of Deuk.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Island Conservation Society (ICS) – a non-profit organisation in Seychelles – has extended its conservation presence in the Aldabra group of islands with the opening of a new conservation centre on Astove, which the sixth one among others based on various islands in the archipelago.

In a press communique last week, ICS, which was set up in April 2000, said that the centre will also extend its work on the atoll of Cosmoledo where a sooty tern census is expected to be held later this month.

The new centre is located on Astove Atoll located over 1,000km southwest of the main island of Mahe. The atoll is part of the Aldabra Group, which also includes Assomption Island.

The ICS conservation officer on Astove, Jake Letori, said that opening the centre is easier said than done.

“The remoteness of the atolls with few transport options makes it logistically difficult and time-consuming to deliver equipment to the staff, especially in the southeast monsoon, making it challenging for the team,” he explained.

ICS said that the opening of the new Astove Conservation Centre highlights the start of the long-term presence of ICS on the raised coral atolls which host exceptional marine and terrestrial flora and fauna. The atoll is the most important unprotected biodiversity hotspot in Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.

The current main conservation priorities involve undertaking habitat assessments and removal of invasive alien species (IAS) such as cats. This will allow the reintroduction of land bird species from neighbouring Aldabra Atoll. The removal of invasive vegetation will also help to increase habitat sites for seabirds.

The new centre will also facilitate the annual sooty tern census on Cosmoledo, a task which will provide an updated estimate of the breeding population on the atoll. During the census, other seabirds will be monitored including the only breeding population of brown boobies in Seychelles, alongside red-footed boobies.

A small number of great frigatebirds and red-tailed tropicbirds also choose to nest on Cosmoledo and on rat and cat-free islands.

The director of conservation and science, Gregory Berke, said that although Astove and Cosmoledo do not fall under the same protection as Aldabra, ICS aims to conserve and monitor their unique wildlife populations and restore habitats to their natural state.

“This marks the beginning of a very long mission and while it may take some time before the centres are fully operational, it is a historic step in the right direction for conservation,” he added.

Berke said that with so much to discover, a lot will be gained to benefit Seychelles and further global communities, and “throughout the journey, ICS will continue to share with you its progress and the extraordinary natural beauty that both atolls have to offer.”

With the presence of ICS and the support of the Islands Development Company (IDC), which is a state-owned entity, and the tourism company Blue Safari Seychelles, it is hoped that illegal fishing activities which have been a cause of concern in the area will be reduced.

In the future, ICS is aiming to expand its programmes on Astove and Cosmoledo to include monitoring of marine biodiversity including sharks.

Source: Seychelles News Agency

Air Seychelles has confirmed that the airline has signed a codeshare agreement with Qatar Airways but no other information was provided.

According to an article in the Gulf Times on Monday, Qatar Airways has announced a codeshare agreement with Air Seychelles, the flag carrier of the Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean.

Through the new codeshare agreement, Qatar Airways will place its code on Air Seychelles’ operated flights between Mahe, the main island, and Praslin, the second most populated island. This will enable passengers to continue their journey using a single booking.

The article indicated that this agreement will allow passengers on both networks seamless travel to one of the world’s most exotic and unique destinations.

The Air Seychelles acting chief executive, Captain Sandy Benoiton, said: “This new partnership will provide passengers with new connection opportunities and access to unique destinations from both networks,” said the article.

Through the agreement, travellers from over 160 worldwide destinations, where Qatar Airways operate, will be able to connect to Seychelles through the International Airport, in Doha.

According to the Gulf Times, in a press release from the airline, Qatar Airways group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said, “Our strategy of facilitating connectivity to African markets through partnerships is in line with this enhanced cooperation with Air Seychelles. Our two airlines are pleased to work together to benefit passengers with more travel choices and to support the tourism industry in Seychelles.”

The agreement comes after Seychelles’ transport minister, Antony Derjacques, signed a cooperation agreement with Qatar Airways last year. The agreement was signed in the margins of the 41st International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, which took place from September 27 to October 7.

Derjacques said that the agreement with Qatar “will enhance cooperation between the two countries, especially where it concerns technical and training for civil aviation staff.”

Source: Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles’ Anse Source D’Argent on La Digue island claimed second place on the World’s Top 50 Best Beaches list for 2023, said Tourism Seychelles – the marketing arm of the tourism department – on Wednesday.

Presented by Banana Boat, the World’s 50 Best Beaches list, is the result of a collaborative effort that gathered votes from over 750 esteemed travel influencers and professionals.

Anse Source D’Agent is located in the southwest of La Digue – the third most populated island of Seychelles. The beach has crystal clear wavelets lapping rhythmically on shimmering white sands, shaded in parts from the sun by dramatic granite boulders and leafy green coconut trees.

Topping the list was Lucky Bay in Australia and in third place Hidden Beach in the Philippines.

The rankings for the beaches were based on several criteria, such as untouched natural beauty, remoteness, how swimmable it is, annual days of sunshine and average annual temperature.

Tourism Seychelles said that the inclusion of Seychelles’ beaches on the World’s 50 Best Beaches list stands as a testament to their natural beauty and captivating landscapes.

“Anse Source D’Argent is renowned as one of the world’s most photographed coastlines and captivates visitors with its golden sand, turquoise waters, and majestic granite boulders. With impressive days of sunshine each year, this beach sets the stage for an idyllic beach experience,” added Tourism Seychelles.

The popular beach has topped rankings several times. In 2019, it was ranked number one on Africa’s Top 50 Beaches.

Another beach from Seychelles, Anse Lazio, on Praslin Island was ranked 29th.

Anse Lazio is located on the northwest coast of Praslin Island, the second most important island of Seychelles. The beach may feel like it is quite removed from the world but is easily accessible by foot, car, or boat.

Tourism Seychelles said that “celebrated as one of the finest beaches globally, Anse Lazio features a wide stretch of soft white sand framed by granite rocks at both ends. Its calm, crystal-clear waters and gentle slope make it an ideal setting for swimming and snorkelling.”

“This recognition further solidifies Seychelles’ position as a must-visit destination for beach lovers worldwide, offering a truly extraordinary experience,” it added.

Source: Seychelles News Agency