Last week, it was announced on, that the Minister of Environment is setting up an…

JAN 12 2026 · 19:33

Last week, it was announced on @sbc.sc, that the Minister of Environment is setting up an Inter-Sectoral Environmental Task Force for Assomption. The Task Force will be chaired by Minister Marie-May Jeremie, with Dr Nirmal Shah as Deputy Chair, and includes senior representatives from IDC, SIF, the Planning Authority, Lands and Biosecurity, with technical officers attending as observers. Friends of Aldabra supports the creation of a dedicated task force to coordinate urgent environmental action - including the important need for a comprehensive biodiversity assessment of Assomption. However, we also have serious concerns about the composition of the Task Force. ⁉️ As it stands, the Task Force members are the exact same group of organisations involved in the Assomption development from the start. They shaped the problematic situation we are now trying to address, and under their watch the island’s wildlife has been harmed. The related governance failures are now being examined in a public inquiry. For these reasons, we question whether this Task Force can deliver truly independent, multi-sectoral oversight, particularly without civil society or the public’s voice at the table. Many relevant Seychellois individuals and organisations - including Friends of Aldabra - are not represented within the core membership of the Task Force. Seychelles is rich with conservation experts, scientists, and civil society leaders who have demonstrated their capacity to contribute meaningfully to environmental protection initiatives. ⚠️ There is an inherent contradiction in asking the same entities that failed to prevent environmental harm to now lead its correction. What do you think? Isn’t it time to change the story of Assomption? Friends of Aldabra remains committed to protecting Aldabra and Assomption. 🐠🦩🦋🐢🐋🪸🐬 #ProtectAldabra #ProtectAssomption #Seychelles