Seychelles signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December
1997. Seychelles endorsed the Brussels Declaration and was a full participant
to the Oslo negotiations, where it was a vocal critic of US proposals to weaken
the treaty text. Seychelles supported the 1996 UN General Assembly resolution
against landmines but was absent form the votes on UNGA resolutions in 1997 and
1998.
Seychelles has not yet ratified the treaty. This is in part due to normal
legislative timing considerations. However, according to one foreign ministry
official, some worry that if Seychelles ratifies, it will then be pressured into
contributing to demining and related activities in Africa and possibly
elsewhere, to solve a problem to which the government regards itself as not
having contributed.[1]
Landmines are not a problem in Seychelles. It is not believed to have ever
produced or exported antipersonnel mines. The Seychellois armed forces are not
thought to hold any stocks. Highly placed officials comment that the existence
of mines would “be a disaster” in this tourism-driven Indian Ocean
island economy.[2]
There is some evidence that Seychelles was used as a staging post for weapons
deliveries to the Forces armées rwandaises during their campaign against
the Rwandan Patriotic Front, during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Zaire
provided end-user certificates.[3]
Weapons transported included antitank mines and fragmentation grenades. It
cannot be ruled out that landmines were transported; other supply flights to the
FAR did include such weapons.[4]
Seychellois officials deplore the incident, stressing that such affairs run
directly counter to the country’s national
interest.[5]
About Us
Our Research Products