The President of the Republic, Wavel Ramkalawan re-appointed Mr. Benediste Hoareau as the Director-General to the Seychelles Intelligence Service (SIS), in a ceremony held at State House yesterday morning. The President made this appointment in accordance with Section 6 of the Seychelles Intelligence Service Act, 2018.
The reappointment of Mr Hoareau has also been made following recommendations made to the President by the National Security Council, and following consultations with the Defence & Security Committee of the National Assembly. During the ceremony, in the presence of various distinguished guests and family members, Mr. Hoareau, took two oaths; the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Secrecy.
The general functions of the Seychelles Intelligence Service are to establish mechanisms for detecting any threats to the security of Seychelles and its institutions, and to oversee the security of Seychelles. It works in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and public institutions. The Intelligence Service reports to the National Security Council, which is chaired by the President, and includes the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Defence Forces.
Mr Benediste Hoareau has a Degree in Education. He has in addition undertaken numerous training courses relating to risk and crisis management, leadership, defence and security management. He has participated in the organisation of training courses for the Eastern & Southern Africa Standby Force (EASF), and participated in the development of an early warning system for the EASF. He also has considerable experience in working with Security Agencies and institutions in Seychelles. Mr. Hoareau has been in this position for the last three years.
Speaking the local press after ceremony, Mr. Hoareau explained that for security reasons, keeping away from political interference and conflict of interest, SIS is completely independent from other organisations and they report directly to the Security Council. He underlined that since in office, besides corruption, drugs remains a major threats for Seychelles as it is the foundation of other crimes, such human trafficking, terrorism and others.
Mr. Hoareau was first appointed as Director-General to the Seychelles Intelligence Service on 14 August 2019.
Also present at the swearing-in ceremony was the Chief Justice, Justice Rony Govinden, the Minister for Internal Affairs, Mr. Errol Fonseka, the Attorney General, Mr. Frank Ally, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Gervais Henrie, the member of the National Assembly representing the Defence and Security Committee, Mr. Francois Adelaide, the secretary of state Cabinet Affairs, Mr Mohammed Afif, the Chief of Staff of the SDF, Colonel Jean Attala.