Seychelles Country Report

Somali pirates pushing out across the Indian Ocean – trying to circumvent security measures employed in the Gulf of Aden – present a low risk to Seychellois fishing lanes and tourism. This has fallen since 2013, as Somali pirates no longer have the capacity to operate so far east. In 2010, six Seychellois were captured by pirates southeast of the island of Mahe, but the government has since implemented a military strategy with EU and US support, and improved its legal framework dealing with piracy offenders. Attacks declined from 236 in 2011 to two unsuccessful attacks in 2014.

There are no active disputes with regional neighbours likely to lead to armed conflict. The government's military strategy, supplemented mainly by co-operation with the EU and US, is bolstered by a legal framework dealing with offenders. The country is manoeuvring itself into becoming a valuable ally in the fight against piracy, receiving military and economic assistance from the US and EU. In February 2015, the EU's naval force offered counter-piracy training to Seychelles' marine police patrol unit. The threat of military mutinies and armed coups has receded since the adoption of multiparty democracy in 1992.

Social unrest is likely to remain uncommon in Seychelles; however, demonstrations lasting less than a day are likely in the run-up to elections. Although industrial action is becoming more likely in the public sector and on Mahe, strikes are very unlikely to turn violent. As the government has been forced to cut social spending, the probability of protests has increased, though these are unlikely to turn violent.