27/05/2026
United States – Seychelles State Partnership Program Officially Launched
On Monday 25th May 2026, the United States Embassy in Victoria commemorated the official signing of a historic partnership between the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and the New Mexico National Guard at the Defence Forces Integrated Headquarters Conference Room, Bel Eau.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior representatives from both nations, including the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Ambassador Ian Madeleine and the Principal Secretary for Disaster Risk Management, Mr. Daniel Cetoupe, alongside senior military officials and delegates.
This milestone marks a new chapter in the defence relationship between the United States and Seychelles, further strengthening cooperation in maritime security, disaster preparedness, resilience planning and capacity building in areas vital to Seychelles’ national security and sustainable development.
On Tuesday 26th May 2026, participants from both nations engaged in a joint working session focused on concept development, the exchange of ideas and best practices and strengthening military cooperation within their respective domains.
Through this partnership, Seychelles stands to benefit from:
▪️ Joint military exercises and training with US forces.
▪️ Leadership development programs for SDF officers and personnel.
▪️ Disaster response planning and preparedness, including medical, engineering and emergency logistics support.
▪️ Technical assistance in aviation safety, cyber defence, and communication security.
▪️ Humanitarian assistance and disaster risk reduction planning, training and exercises.
▪️ Resilience planning and environmental hazard preparedness
▪️ Institutional development across government agencies and civil society
Built on a strong foundation of longstanding regional security and maritime cooperation, the State Partnership Program will further enhance collaboration between Seychelles and the United States, opening new avenues for practical and long-term cooperation.