The President announced the retirement of Brigadier Leopold Payet, Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces, at the Seychelles Coast Guard today. Brigadier Payet’s retirement will take effect from 1 January 2019. President Faure said that he will announce a new Chief of Defence Forces in December this year.

Speaking to officers present this morning, the President thanked Brigadier Payet for his 41 years of service to SPDF, the country, and the people, saying, “I believe that it is truly a great honour to have a child of Seychelles that has given 41 years of service to the SPDF and service to their country.” “We must realise that before us, there were others, who worked hard for everything we have today and everything we are today. We owe them our respect. We cannot forget what they have done for us – true servants – that wear the SPDF uniform with pride,” said the President. “I hope that we are able to preserve Brigadier Payet’s fundamental values in SPDF – his discipline, commitment, and selfless service for his country.”

Brigadier Leopold Payet joined the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces in 1977, 41 years ago. He was appointed as the Chief of Defence Forces in 2007.