President Dr Patrick Herminie has established a Board of Inquiry to investigate the importation of firearms and ammunition dating back to the year 2000.
The decision follows regulations made under the Defence Act on 31 December 2025.
According to the regulations, the Commander-in-Chief considered it “fit and expedient” to be informed. The matters relate to the importation of firearms and ammunition during the period under review.
The inquiry will cover all imports from 2000 to date, including those from Bulgaria between 2003 and 2006.
The regulations state that the Board will determine “who has authorised those importations and who paid for the importation of the firearms and ammunition”.
Board composition
The regulations formally constitute the Board of Inquiry.
It will be chaired by Honourable Justice Duncan Gaswanga.
The other members are Mrs Nissa Thompson, Mr Justin Norbert Dogley, and Mr Edward Annacoura.
Scope of the inquiry
The Board will investigate the storage of firearms and ammunition in what the regulations describe as “so-called ‘off-books’ armouries” from the year 2000 to the present.
It will examine “the authorisation of the use of such locations and who had knowledge of them”, as well as whether any such armouries remain in existence and, if so, where they are located.
The inquiry will also examine the use of foreign mercenaries or foreign former military personnel in connection with Operation Black Iron between October and December 2021.
According to the regulations, this will include their “recruitment, access, possession and use of firearms and ammunition whilst on Seychelles soil”, and who authorised and oversaw their activities.
In addition, the Board will investigate “the use of arrest, search and seizure powers by foreign private contractors” linked to the same operation.
The regulations further empower the Board to investigate “any other matter” it considers necessary in order to provide “true and accurate information” to the Commander-in-Chief.
Proceedings and reporting
All proceedings of the Board of Inquiry will be held in camera.
The inquiry will operate under the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, as applied to the Board by the regulations.
The Board must submit a final written report, including findings of fact, conclusions, and any recommendations it considers appropriate, within six months of its constitution.
In any event, the report must be submitted no later than 30 June 2026.
The regulations were made on 31 December 2025 and signed by Dr. Patrick Herminie, in his capacity as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force.