D'Offay at COI - Foreign Affairs PS post vacant
Callixte D'Offay, a long-standing diplomat has taken up his new post as Secretary General of the Mauritius-based Indian Ocean Commission (COI), leaving his successor yet to be declared by President Michel.
Mr. D'Offay has served for over ten years as ambassador to France, where he was at one time, and dean of the diplomatic corps before being recalled to Mahe and made Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
He might find the COI job less challenging. During its two decades of existence, this regional body, grouping Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Reunion has made little inroads in boosting regional trade.
D'Offfay however points to a few projects, such as environment and combating coastal erosion where the COI has made a telling contribution. He says he will work for the COI with the same vigour as in Paris and in Victoria.
However, his successor has still to be named. Government's big problem is the shortage of suitable candidates. After Barry Faure was posted to Brussels and Claude Morel to take over from D"Offay in Paris, there are few left with diplomatic background and sound knowledge of foreign affairs.
Two years ago, Sylvestre Radegonde, who took the stand at SNP rallies in support of Wavel Ramkalawan - in return for the tourism portfolio it was said, dropping Alain St Ange in the process - was given the boot and has since taken up employment in UK. He was seen in Victoria some weeks ago, fuelling rumours of reinstatement, no one locally doubts his ability to perform and deliver. In actual fact, he would be a valuable asset to this Administration. However, many believes that such a gesture is beyond the small mindedness of the SPPF. Radegonde, it seems, has joined the likes of Emmanuel Faure and Bertrand Rasool who were known to be rather blunt in conversation, something which does not pay in the SPPF system of “See no evil - Hear no evil - Speak no evil”, and it is aptly called the SHS system.
