“Forget about Aldabra,” Mr Maarco Francis said in a political interview posted on the Seychelles United Movement social media page on Saturday 28 March.
Mr Francis says that the Seychelles United Movement (SUM) supports having a coast guard facility on Assomption. He says this would allow surveillance within that area. However, he adds that what is being presented to the public is a larger facility beyond the size of the current coast guard base on Mahé.
“India is ready to invest more than 250 million US dollars in a base there. I don’t think we have invested 250 million dollars in our own coast guard facility on Mahé,” said Mr Francis.
He questioned why India would invest its taxpayers’ money to, as he says, “throw away” and gift Seychelles 250 million US dollars or more. He adds that this is what SUM opposes.
“These bases are not for India. However, they are built with India’s money, and when India wants to use those bases, they can use them,” says Mr Francis.
Mr Francis says that, as India will have access to the Indian-assisted military base on Assomption, its partners, including the United States of America, will also have access to the facility.
“Indirectly, with this base being accessed by India, we are giving access to the United States of America. With this war that we are observing happening with Iran, Americans can come and refuel. Cargo planes can come to Assomption, provide provisions to the boats, including food and crew change.”
Regarding the facility, Mr Francis says that vessels refuelling on Assomption will create pollution in the sea, which will reach the coastline of Aldabra through ocean currents.
“Brothers and sisters of Seychelles, Aldabra is finished. The government says that they will continue with the military base project. Therefore, it is a matter of time. Say goodbye to Aldabra. Say goodbye to Assomption.”
In his intervention, Mr Francis stressed the importance of Seychelles being “friends with all, enemy with none”. He adds that, after 50 years of independence, Seychelles is going backwards on this principle.
In a political programme, the President of the Republic, Dr Patrick Herminie, said: “There is no agreement between my government and the government of India for an Indian military base on Assomption.”
Mr Francis also addressed the tourism development on Assomption Island. He says SUM has always opposed the size of the project.
“We at Seychelles United Movement have always spoken against the size of the project being built on Assomption.”
He adds that the project will cause damage to Assomption and affect Aldabra.
“We and everyone believe this will cause damage to Assomption, and it will have an effect on Aldabra, and Aldabra will be destroyed.”
In his interview, Mr Francis says he is disappointed that the project is continuing.
“The project has restarted on the same scale,” said Mr Francis.
He also referred to the Commission of Inquiry chaired by Commissioner Mathilda Twomey. He says it was stated that the project will take more than 60% of the island for development, compared to 5% as previously stated.