(Seychelles News Agency) - Colonel Clifford Roseline on Friday was appointed as the new Chief of the Seychelles People's Defence Forces (SPDF) following the retirement of Brigadier Leopold Payet, who had held the post for 11 years. 

The Commander-in-Chief of the SPDF, President Danny Faure, presented Roseline with his Instrument of Appointment at a ceremony at State House on Friday morning. Roseline has been appointed for a period of two years effective from January 1.

Colonel Roseline joined the SPDF in 1978 and until recently was the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, a position he was serving since August 2016. In his 30-year career in the military, Roseline served as Chief of Staff and the Chief Military Advisor to the former President of Seychelles. 

Brigadier Leopold Payet retires after 41 years in the military. He was appointed as the Chief of Defence Forces in 2007. Speaking to reporters after a farewell call to President Faure, Payet said “I have assured that during all these years I have worked with a conscience, guiding the officers under my command. I wish that my successor does better than I have done. He leads better than me and gives better examples than I did.”

Roseline succeeds Payet (above) who retires after 41 years in the military. (Jude Morel) Photo License: CC-BY

“I am happy of what the military has achieved and I am proud of what has been accomplished under my command and with guidance of three Commander-in-Chiefs which I have worked with,” said Payet, adding that he “hopes the new chief continues on to apply the same principles he has used during his tenure.”

It was in October this year that President Faure announced the retirement of Brigadier Payet. “I believe that it is truly a great honour to have a child of Seychelles who has given 41 years of service to the SPDF and service to their country,” said Faure.

“We must realise that before us, there were others, who worked hard for everything we have today and everything we are today. We owe them our respect. We cannot forget what they have done for us -- true servants -- that wear the SPDF uniform with pride,” added the President.

Faure said he hopes that “we are able to preserve Brigadier Payet’s fundamental values in SPDF, his discipline, commitment, and selfless service for his country.”