AGP Executive Report

SBC Independence Under Fire: Seychelles’ Public Media Alliance warns the newly gazetted Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill could weaken SBC independence, especially through expanded executive influence over board appointments and funding controls that may be used to pressure public media. Judicial Appointments Fight: The Magistrates and Judges Association of Zambia seeks to join a constitutional court case over how external appointments affect sitting judges—an issue that echoes wider regional concerns about judicial independence. Tourism, Nature, and Policy: A World Environment Day piece argues eco-conscious travel is shifting from “green marketing” to destination-wide commitments to protect ecosystems that underpin tourism resilience. Regional Air Connectivity: Qatar Airways says it will restart flights to Seychelles and add regional frequencies, while ICAO-linked aviation standards workshops in the region include Seychelles and focus on runway and pavement classification upgrades. Energy Cost Shock Watch: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could add over US$20bn a year to vulnerable economies’ oil import bills—an immediate pressure point for small island states like Seychelles. Global Mayors Dialogue: Victoria’s mayor joins a Beijing dialogue on tech-empowered tourism, highlighting China-funded infrastructure and people-to-people ties.

SBC Independence Under Fire: Seychelles’ public broadcaster board says the new Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill could weaken SBC’s institutional independence, warning that appointment powers may shift further toward the Executive. China-Taiwan Diplomatic Pressure: Taiwan’s legislature unanimously condemned Beijing’s alleged obstruction of President Lai’s Eswatini trip, after flight clearances were reportedly withdrawn under pressure. Victoria’s China Ties: Victoria mayor highlights “valuable benefits” from China-Seychelles cooperation, citing people-to-people links and China-funded local infrastructure. Regional Diplomacy in Japan: Seychelles’ agriculture minister meets Japan’s parliamentary vice-minister on cooperation ahead of further engagement. Domestic Tourism Push: Seychelles launches “Rediscover Seychelles” to boost staycations and local travel during Golden Jubilee celebrations. Oil Shock Warning: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could add over US$20bn a year to vulnerable economies’ oil import bills, with small island states hit hardest. Aviation Standards Workshop: ICAO regional workshop in Eswatini trains African aviation regulators, including Seychelles, on ACR/PCR runway assessment standards. Trade Finance Boost: Mauritius Commercial Bank pledges US$1bn for trade finance across Africa, supporting letters of credit and guarantees. Global Mayors on Tech Tourism: Beijing dialogue brings mayors from 73 cities to discuss AI-enabled tourism and smarter city travel.

SBC Independence Under Pressure: Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation’s board says a new SBC Bill could weaken the public broadcaster’s independence, warning that appointment powers would shift further toward the Executive. Domestic Tourism Push: The Seychelles Tourism Board and Inside Seychelles launched “Rediscover Seychelles – Your Islands. Your Escape” to boost local staycations and support businesses during the Golden Jubilee year. Regional Legal Integration: SADC justice ministers in Victoria Falls put the spotlight on the draft SADC Tourism UNIVISA, aiming for a unified visa for transit and tourism stays across participating states. Seychelles in the Air: Qatar Airways plans to restart four weekly flights to Seychelles from June 16, adding more regional capacity as it rebuilds its network. Energy Cost Warning: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could add over US$20bn a year to oil import bills for vulnerable economies, with small island states hit hardest. Aviation Standards for Seychelles: ICAO-backed workshop in the region reviews new Aircraft/Pavement Classification Rating standards, with Seychelles among participating countries. Global Mayors on Tech Tourism: Beijing’s Global Mayors Dialogue highlights AI-enabled travel tools and smarter city tourism planning.

SBC Governance: The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation board says a newly gazetted SBC Bill could weaken the public broadcaster’s independence, warning that the revised appointment structure would give the Executive greater influence over board and leadership picks. Domestic Tourism Push: The Seychelles Tourism Board and Inside Seychelles launched “Rediscover Seychelles – Your Islands. Your Escape” to boost local staycations and support businesses during Golden Jubilee celebrations. Regional Legal Integration: SADC justice ministers meeting in Victoria Falls put the spotlight on the proposed SADC Tourism UNIVISA, aiming for a unified visa for tourism and transit across member states. International Mobility & Policy: Seychelles is mentioned among countries already moving toward visa-free entry for Africans as Togo and Ghana announce continent-wide visa removals. Sports & State Presence: President Dr Patrick Herminie attended the SFF Cup Final, presenting the trophy to Bazar Brother FC. Aviation Standards: Seychelles joined an ICAO regional workshop on aircraft and pavement classification ratings, focused on harmonised air infrastructure standards for trade and connectivity. Global Pressure on Small States: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could sharply raise oil import bills for vulnerable economies, including small island states. Tourism Crowding Abroad: Europe’s major hotspots are adding caps and booking systems as travel rebounds, a reminder of the crowding pressures Seychelles policymakers watch closely.

SBC Independence Under Threat: Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation’s board says a newly gazetted Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill could weaken the public broadcaster’s institutional independence, warning that expanded executive influence over appointments may undermine editorial autonomy. Regional Justice Cooperation: SADC justice ministers and attorneys general meet in Victoria Falls, with the proposed SADC Tourism UNIVISA set to take centre stage as the bloc pushes for smoother regional travel and tourism integration. Domestic Tourism Push: The Seychelles Tourism Board and Inside Seychelles launch “Rediscover Seychelles – Your Islands. Your Escape” to boost local staycations and support tourism businesses during the Golden Jubilee year. Defence Diplomacy in the Indian Ocean: Seychelles is among 13 nations taking part in India’s PRAGATI 2026 multilateral counter-terrorism exercise in Meghalaya, alongside a defence industry showcase aimed at strengthening procurement and cooperation. Sports & State Presence: President Dr Patrick Herminie attends the Seychelles Football Federation Cup Final, presenting the trophy to Bazar Brothers FC. International Mobility & Policy: A regional aviation safety workshop in Seychelles discusses ICAO standards for Aircraft Classification Rating/Pavement Classification Rating, linking infrastructure readiness to trade and economic growth.

Anti-Corruption Watch: Seychelles’ Independent Authority against Corruption says it will publish findings into allegations in investigative journalist Makarios Drousiotis’s “Mafia State” by June 15, with all cases suspended until the work is completed. Public Broadcasting Governance: The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation board warns a new SBC bill could weaken its independence, flagging changes to how board members, chair and vice-chair are appointed and arguing executive influence would rise. Domestic Tourism Push: Seychelles launched “Rediscover Seychelles – Your Islands. Your Escape” to boost local travel during the Golden Jubilee, encouraging staycations and island experiences to support businesses. Regional Justice Agenda: SADC justice ministers and attorneys general meet in Victoria Falls, with the proposed SADC Tourism UNIVISA expected to be a key item to ease tourism travel across member states. Defence Cooperation: Seychelles is among 13 nations taking part in India’s PRAGATI 2026 multilateral counter-terrorism exercise in Meghalaya, aimed at interoperability and regional security. Sports & State Presence: President Dr Patrick Herminie attended the Seychelles Football Federation Cup final, presenting the trophy to Bazar Brothers FC. Regional Security Context: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could add over $20bn a year to oil import bills for vulnerable economies, including small island states.

SBC Independence Under Threat: Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation’s board says the newly gazetted Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation Bill could weaken the public broadcaster’s independence, warning that expanded presidential control over board appointments and the chair/vice-chair selection would tilt governance toward the Executive. Domestic Tourism Push: Seychelles Tourism Board and Inside Seychelles launched “Rediscover Seychelles – Your Islands. Your Escape” to boost local staycations and support tourism businesses during the Golden Jubilee, with residents encouraged to explore Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Regional Justice Talks: SADC ministers of justice and attorneys general meet in Victoria Falls, with the proposed SADC Tourism UNIVISA agreement set to dominate discussions on a unified visa for tourism and transit. Indian Ocean Defence Cooperation: Exercise PRAGATI 2026 concluded in Meghalaya with over 400 troops from 13 nations including Seychelles, focused on counter-terrorism drills and interoperability. Global Policy Shock on Small States: UNCTAD warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions could hit 983 million people in vulnerable economies, including small island states, through higher fuel costs and pressure on essential services.

Regional Justice & Mobility: SADC justice ministers and attorneys general met in Victoria Falls to advance the proposed SADC Tourism UNIVISA, aiming for a unified visa for transit and tourism stays across member states. Defence Cooperation in the Indian Ocean: Seychelles featured among 13 countries in India’s PRAGATI 2026 multilateral exercise in Meghalaya, which concluded with a 72-hour validation on counter-terrorism, interoperability, and joint drills. Seychelles Football & State Engagement: President Dr Patrick Herminie attended the Seychelles Football Federation Cup final, presenting the trophy to Bazar Brothers FC. Seychelles–India Defence Links: India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces Major General Micheal Rosette in Singapore to discuss strengthening defence cooperation and maritime security. Chagos Diplomacy: Pope Leo XIV praised the UK–Mauritius Chagos agreement as a long-overdue correction for Chagossians displaced decades ago. Crypto & Exchange Controls (Seychelles angle): A South African court dispute referenced a Seychelles-based exchange in a case over whether Bitcoin fits exchange-control definitions.

Zimbabwe Politics: Vice President General (Ret.) Constantino Chiwenga’s “coded” warning has stirred ZANU-PF divisions over CAB3, a constitutional amendment that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030, with debate intensifying inside Parliament ahead of the vote. Regional Justice & Mobility: SADC justice ministers and attorneys general meet in Victoria Falls (1–5 June) with the SADC Tourism UNIVISA draft expected to top talks, aiming for a unified visa for transit and tourism across member states. CAB3 Voting Rules: ZANU-PF’s legal secretary Ziyambi Ziyambi says CAB3 will be decided by a show of hands, rejecting calls for a secret ballot and sidestepping demands for a public referendum. Seychelles-Linked Defence Cooperation: India’s PRAGATI 2026 multilateral exercise in Meghalaya concluded with over 400 troops from 13 nations including Seychelles, focused on counter-terrorism drills and interoperability. Seychelles Football Spotlight: President Dr Patrick Herminie attended the Seychelles Football Federation Cup final, presenting the trophy to Bazar Brothers FC. Seychelles Tourism Leadership: Seychelles reinstated its tourism board and appointed Vesna Rakic as CEO, signaling a new push for island tourism strategy. Maritime Security Ties: India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Micheal Rosette, to deepen defence cooperation and maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

Constitutional Show of Hands in Zimbabwe: Zanu PF’s legal secretary Ziyambi Ziyambi says Zimbabwe’s CAB 3 vote will be by show of hands, arguing it boosts transparency, as the bill would extend presidential and lawmakers’ tenures to seven years and shift presidential selection to Parliament—while critics push for a referendum and secret ballot. Seychelles Football Spotlight: President Dr Patrick Herminie attended the Seychelles Football Federation Cup final, presenting the trophy to Bazar Brothers FC—his first football engagement as Patron. Indo-Pacific Defence Links: India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Australia, Canada, and Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces at the Shangri-La Dialogue, focusing on maritime security and defence cooperation. Regional Military Exercise Ends: Multinational Exercise PRAGATI 2026 concluded in Meghalaya with 400+ troops from 13 nations, including Seychelles, training on counter-terrorism and interoperability. Chagos Deal Gets Vatican Praise: Pope Leo XIV backed the UK-Mauritius agreement to return the Chagos Islands, calling it overdue justice for Chagossians. Crypto Regulation Pressure in South Africa: A court ruling tied to a Seychelles-based exchange is pushing South Africa to tighten crypto exchange-control rules, with SARB appealing while draft regulations move forward.

Seychelles–India Defence Links: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Micheal Rosette, at the Shangri-La Dialogue to deepen maritime security and bilateral defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean. Regional Military Cooperation: The maiden multilateral Exercise PRAGATI 2026 wrapped up in Meghalaya, with over 400 troops from 13 nations including Seychelles training on counter-terrorism and interoperability drills. Tourism Governance: Seychelles reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakic as CEO, with a renewed legal mandate to strengthen marketing and long-term sector resilience. President in Local Sport: President Dr Patrick Herminie attended the Seychelles Football Federation Cup final, presenting the trophy to Bazar Brothers FC. International Spotlight on Chagos: Pope Leo XIV backed the UK–Mauritius Chagos Islands deal, calling it a long-overdue step toward justice for Chagossians. Press Freedom Watch: A global map from RSF shows press freedom at a 25-year low, with most countries facing “difficult” or “very serious” conditions. Digital Sanctions: The UK announced new sanctions targeting digital asset networks used to evade Russia-related restrictions, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX.

Seychelles Tourism Governance: The Office of the President reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakic as CEO from 15 May 2026, citing a renewed legal mandate under the Tourism Board Bill 2026 to strengthen marketing and long-term sector resilience. Regional Defence Cooperation: India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Micheal Rosette, at the Shangri-La Dialogue to deepen maritime security and bilateral defence ties in the Indian Ocean. Multinational Military Exercise: The maiden PRAGATI 2026 exercise concluded in Meghalaya, with over 400 troops from 13 countries including Seychelles, training on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency drills to boost interoperability and mutual trust. Digital Security & Sanctions: The UK announced new sanctions targeting digital asset networks used to evade Russia-related restrictions, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX. Drug Trafficking Links: Tanzania’s 2025 report says 28 Tanzanians were arrested abroad over drug trafficking allegations, with Seychelles recording one arrest involving a Tanzanian national.

Tourism Governance Reset: Seychelles reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed veteran tourism executive Vesna Rakic as CEO effective 15 May 2026, with the STB Bill 2026 restoring a renewed legal mandate to market Seychelles and strengthen sector resilience. Presidential Oversight: President Dr Patrick Herminie toured key development sites and ongoing projects on Coetivy Island, alongside ministers for transport and tourism, underscoring government focus on island-led economic activity. Defence & Maritime Security: At the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 in Singapore, India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces Major General Micheal Rosette to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Regional Military Cooperation: Seychelles participated in India’s PRAGATI 2026 exercise in Meghalaya, a 13-country counter-insurgency and interoperability drill aimed at building trust among Indian Ocean partners. International Legal Pressure: A US court ordered reconsideration of a Seychellois telecom firm’s bid to enforce a $21m arbitral award against Guinea, after ruling the sovereign immunity analysis was too narrow. Digital Security Risk: UK sanctions targeted crypto networks used to evade Russia-related restrictions, including Seychelles-based exchange HTX, highlighting Seychelles’ exposure to global financial enforcement.

Seychelles Tourism Governance: The Government of Seychelles has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board and appointed Vesna Rakic as CEO effective 15 May 2026, saying the move strengthens tourism governance and destination marketing after five years under a centralized framework. Indo-Pacific Security: India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held talks in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue, including with Seychelles’ Chief of Defence Forces Major General Micheal Rosette on deepening defence cooperation and maritime security in the Indian Ocean. Regional Diplomacy & Travel Policy: Seychelles is also mentioned in wider visa and diplomatic shifts, including Seychelles-linked participation in African humanitarian coordination in Mahé and reports that Botswana and Seychelles plan to open embassies in Moscow. Maritime Finance: India’s Sagarmala Finance Corporation is set to issue India’s first “blue bond” to fund ocean and coastal infrastructure, with Seychelles cited as an example of island states using similar debt tools. Security & Sanctions: The UK announced new sanctions targeting digital asset networks used to evade Russia-related restrictions, naming Seychelles-based exchange HTX.

Seychelles Tourism Governance: The Government of Seychelles has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board after five years under a centralized tourism framework, appointing veteran tourism executive Vesna Rakić as CEO effective 15 May 2026—aimed at strengthening destination marketing and competitiveness. Regional Diplomacy: Russia says Botswana and Seychelles plan to open embassies in Moscow soon, signalling deeper strategic cooperation. Maritime Security & Drugs: Seychelles authorities arrested eight Iranian nationals after intercepting a stateless dhow in the Seychelles maritime area of interest, seizing opioids and cocaine worth about €20 million, with the drugs and vessel disposed of at sea under updated legal procedures. Humanitarian Coordination: The African Union launched a new humanitarian coordination platform during a Mahé engagement (18–19 May), targeting better crisis response amid displacement, hunger and climate-linked disasters. Indian Ocean Policy: Monaco presented a final report from its 2022 Indian Ocean mission, delivering 25 recommendations on marine ecosystem protection, fisheries management, human pressures and regional cooperation. Digital Identity & Privacy: Mauritius’ data protection chief warned that digital ID systems must be built with strong data protection and cybersecurity safeguards. International Mobility: Congo announced visa-free entry for all Africans from 1 Jan 2027, joining a growing list that includes Seychelles. Sports & Community: Cable & Wireless Seychelles hosted its inaugural Resilience Run 2026 at Roche Caïman, linking wellness with business continuity preparedness.

Seychelles Tourism Governance: The Government of Seychelles has reinstated the Seychelles Tourism Board after five years under a centralized tourism framework, appointing veteran tourism executive Vesna Rakić as CEO effective 15 May 2026—an effort to strengthen destination marketing and competitiveness. Regional Diplomacy: Seychelles is set to open an embassy in Moscow, with Russia signalling support for expanded African diplomatic presence. Security & Justice: Seychelles authorities arrested eight Iranian nationals after intercepting a stateless dhow in the Seychelles maritime area loaded with opioids and cocaine worth €20 million, with the drugs and vessel destroyed under updated legal disposal provisions. Humanitarian Coordination (Mahé): The African Union launched a new humanitarian coordination platform following a continental engagement in Mahé (18–19 May), aiming to tighten crisis response as funding gaps remain severe. Blue Economy & Marine Governance: Monaco’s Blue Initiative presented a final report from its 2022 Indian Ocean mission, delivering 25 recommendations with Seychelles and Mauritius officials focused on marine ecosystem protection, fisheries sustainability, and stronger regional cooperation. International Mobility Trend: The Republic of Congo announced visa-free entry for all Africans from 1 January 2027, joining a growing list that includes Seychelles and other regional states.