The Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Her Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, on 19 March, 2018 received Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Seychelles to SADC, Her Excellency Mrs. Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre.
In her remarks, H.E. Dr. Tax welcomed H.E. Mrs. Rose-Quatre and informed her that, as the accredited Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles to SADC, the SADC Secretariat looks forward to her productive contribution to the SADC Committee of Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to SADC, which meets twice a year to discuss developments in the SADC Region.
Dr. Tax called on Ambassador Mrs. Rose-Quatre to use her position to motivate and encourage the Government of Seychelles to prioritise Regional Integration programmes and continue to implement SADC regional integration agenda as detailed in the various Protocols and Programmes.
On her part, H.E. Mrs Rose-Quatre thanked and congratulated H.E. Dr Tax for being the first woman to lead the SADC Secretariat, saying her achievements since assuming the office of the Executive Secretary, serves as a model for women in the SADC Region and Africa as a whole. She said that the Republic of Seychelles stands ready to support SADC initiatives in deepening SADC Regional Integration as well as peace and security initiatives in Island SADC Member States.
H.E. Mrs Rose-Quatre said it is encouraging to note that, although Seychelles has a small population of about 90, 000, it has the same voice and recognition as other SADC Member States. She added that Seychelles has a lot to share with other SADC Member States, owing to its successes in ensuring political stability, high economic growth rate, high literacy levels and women empowerment, particularly women representation in the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature.
The Ambassador informed the SADC Executive Secretary that the Government of Seychelles counts on the support and cooperation from SADC on the country’s maritime security in order to safeguard its oceanic space and sustain its blue economy.
