Seychelles President James Michel has described the African Union (AU) summit  and its 50th anniversary  in Addis Ababba, Ethiopia, as a ‘victory for Seychelles’.

Following the summit, President Michel said the Union has finally recognized the value of the oceans and how to develop the blue economy to its fullness, which Seychelles, as a small island state, is championing and will continue to do so in the years to come.

“It is the first time that a resolution adopted by the African Union, recognized the small island states as members who belongs to the African Union in all their capacities, which they can contribute in the Union and it is also the first time that it has been accepted the specificities of the small island states and the important roles that they can play in the development of the blue economy,” said President Michel.

The President said that the African Union has recognised that the oceans have much potential and wealth, which can benefit the African continent including the small islands states, which he believes will develop the maritime sectors in the African countries as well as facilitate connectivity within Africa by sea.

Mr. Michel said this summit have a given all head of states in Africa an opportunity to agreed and adopt different resolutions in line with Africa taking ownership of its own development and in finding way to accelerate its development in order to improve of the lives of its people so that the continent of Africa can attain its objectives in the next 50 years.

“Africa needs to take ownership of its resources. We cannot let others outside the continent to come and dictate us on how to develop it. We need to establish a strong foundation so that Africa moves forward in taking the ownership of its identity....during the celebration it was strongly stated that Africa needs to reassert its identity as a continent which has its role to play in the international community.”

In relation to AU’s position in assisting Seychelles in its candidature for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the 2017-2018 term, the President said that Seychelles membership in different organizations such as African Union, COMESA, SADC and others will help in attending this objective.

“Seychelles is being recognized as a country with an incredible dynamism, a country which today is respected all over the world and we have come to see that the majority of the African countries are willing and ready to support Seychelles so that we can become a non-permanent member the United Nations Security Council,” said the President.