Friends of Aldabra has questioned plans to build a coast guard base on Assomption Island. This follows an announcement by President Patrick Herminie recently.
In a statement, Victoria Duthil said the President announced that India would help Seychelles build the facility. She added that construction could begin “at any time”. Furthermore, she said the announcement raised concerns within the community.
Ms Duthil referred to a 2018 petition, signed by 160,000 people, opposing what was described at the time as an Indian military base. In addition, she said the latest development had revived similar concerns.
She also pointed to commitments made by the President on 15 December. At that time, he said a comprehensive biodiversity assessment must be completed for at least one year. This should happen before any additional construction resumes on Assomption Island.
Ms Duthil said this condition “should apply to any construction”.
Calls for clarity on scope and agreement
Friends of Aldabra is seeking more information about the project.
“What exactly is this development, and what exactly does India expect in exchange for funding this coast guard base?” Ms Duthil asked.
She said people needed more details about what was planned for the country’s outer islands. Moreover, she added that stating construction could begin at any time excluded the public from “meaningful participation” in decisions affecting what she described as shared heritage.
The group has also questioned the timing of the announcement.
Ms Duthil referred to the ongoing Assomption Island inquiry, which was set up to investigate hotel construction on the island. This inquiry is meant to make recommendations about its future.
“What is the point of the investigation if more decisions are made and more construction can happen before its findings are released?” she asked.
Questions over environmental assessments and hotel plans
Friends of Aldabra also asked whether the agreement with India would be made public, and when.
The group questioned whether construction would wait until all environmental assessments were completed and who would conduct them.
Ms Duthil also asked what the announcement meant for the proposed hotel development on Assomption Island.
“Is it still happening? Will it be a hotel and a coast guard base?” she said.
She added that the organisation had compiled 132 additional questions. They planned to send a letter to the government seeking clarification.
Concerns over transparency and participation
Ms Duthil said recent decisions and announcements had left some people feeling concerned and confused.
“Why are we not waiting for the results of the investigation to inform the future of Assomption?” she asked.
She said the group’s questions centred on transparency, trust and national pride.
“Everyone’s eyes are on Assomption because what happens there reflects who we are as a country and the values that we protect,” she said.
The government has not yet responded publicly to the questions raised in the statement.