Origins of The Diaspora
There was a modest Seychellois community in Kenya, Tanganika, Uganda, Zanzibar, Congo and Rhodesia who were compelled to leave after independence of those countries. They migrated mostly to Britain, Canada and Australia.
Seychelles nationals migrated to Britain under a special colonial work quota agreement because of the economic situation in Seychelles; many worked in catering, hotels and hospitals. A large number went to Italy. At this time, a program was set up to recruit young Seychellois for the British Army.
Another significant migration of Seychelles people to Europe was after the coup-d'etat on 5 June 1977, when many families fled the Seychelles and go into exile across the European Union mostly in Britain, France, the Netherlands and Germany. This continued until 1991 when a multi-party government returned to Seychelles.
A significant number of students who came to Europe to study do not want to return to Seychelles when they complete their studies, having found employment and made their homes in the EU.
As a result of the tourism industry, many Seychelles nationals have married EU nationals and have come to live in the EU.
In spite of political and economic change many young Seychelles nationals choose to migrate to the EU for economic reasons.
It is estimated Seychellois residing in the EU number 17,000 – 21,000. The communities are in Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Britain, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, and also some of the new member states of the EU. Switzerland also has a Seychellois community.
They also have a pan-European organisation, through which their affairs are looked after by leading families and unofficially elected representatives. They have a portal where some information and history can be researched.
Under the Treaty of Rome, they lobbied with important support from president François Mitterrand, and other European heads of state, that they be given the rights to be responsible for their French, European archaic, heritage and other rights due under the EU Human Rights Charter.
They have contributed very importantly that political and democratic change came to Seychelles under a joint exile] return program started in 1986/7 started under the Seychelles International Repatriation Onward Program, which included most of the exiled political faction.
They continue to play an important role in supporting democracy and economic progress in Seychelles. They are very active in the EU promoting their history, culture and community needs. They have made many efforts to acquire voting rights like Mauritius nationals – this has not happened. They also support a political party of their choosing and fly to Seychelles for important election.
Under the Schengen agreement, Seychelles nationals do not require visas to visit or enter the EU and are allowed to remain up to six months. It is yet to become official.
Read more about this topic: Seychelles Community In EU
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