Former President James Mancham has announced that he will be launching a new association aimed at valuing the growing ties of friendship between Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A press release from his Glacis-sur-Mer office said that Mr Mancham is currently in discussion with his lawyer about putting the Seychelles-Abu Dhabi-UAE Friendship Association in a proper legal framework.

Quoting famous French novelist Victor Hugo, Mr Mancham said: “There is one thing stronger than all armies in the world and that is ‘an idea’ whose time has come.”

Mr Mancham said it is obvious to any thinking person that Etihad Airways would not have come to the rescue of Air Seychelles so speedily had it not been for the high level of goodwill and benevolence we currently enjoy from the Abu Dhabi Government under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the UAE and His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

“We had an electricity power problem and they decided to finance an alternative energy project; we had a water problem and overnight they brought in some desalination plants; to fight the continued menace of piracy they gave us a modern naval base. Now if these are not visible signs of a deep friendship – I do not know what friendship is about,” Mr Mancham stated.

He said the aim of the Seychelles-Abu Dhabi-UAE Friendship Association, a non-partisan body, will be to put these developments in proper perspective and to proactively educate our people, irrespective of political affiliation and persuasion, of race or religion, the value and importance of the growing ties between the Seychelles and the UAE.
The former President said that his initiative has the full support of President James Michel.

“I commend you for this initiative which is both timely and propitious,” Mr Mancham quoted President Michel as saying in a letter dated January 31, assuring Mr Mancham of his full support for his endeavours.

Mr Mancham said that he has already been in contact with some individuals who support this initiative – and anyone who is interested should contact his secretariat promptly on 4 241 717 for more information.

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