Jérémie Bonnelame
Encyclopedia
Jérémie Émile Patrick Bonnelame (born October 24, 1938) is a Seychellois
political figure and diplomat. He was Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Commission
from 1993 to 1997, Minister of Foreign Affairs
from 1997 to 2005, and was the Permanent Representative of the Seychelles to the United Nations
from 2005 to 2007. Since 2007 he has been the Chairman of the Constitutional Appointment Authority (CAA).
Bonnelame was born on Mahé Island
in the Seychelles
. He worked as a teacher at the Modern Secondary School of Seychelles from 1967 to 1975, as well as Editor-in-Chief of L'Écho des Îles, a Catholic monthly. He was subsequently Director-General of Information from 1978 to 1979, then Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education from 1979 to 1980, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of External Relations from 1981 to 1983, and Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Information from 1983 to 1986.
He entered the government as Minister of Manpower in 1986, serving in that position until 1988; he was then Minister of Transport from 1988 to 1989 and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries from 1989 to 1993. He was not included in the government named on August 3, 1993 and was instead appointed as Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Commission in the same year. He remained in that post until he returned to the Seychellois government as Minister of Foreign Affairs in August 1997.
Bonnelame was replaced as Foreign Minister in February 2005 and was instead nominated as Permanent Representative of the Seychelles to the United Nations and Ambassador to a number of countries, including the United States, by President James Michel
. The National Assembly approved the nomination on March 1. Presenting the motion for its approval, Leader of Government Business Patrick Herminie
noted Bonnelame's extensive experience as a politician and diplomat; the opposition chose to abstain from the vote, acknowledging that Bonnelame was qualified for the post but questioning the selection of a man of Bonnelame's age, expressing the view that a younger person would be more suitable. Bonnelame presented his credentials as Permanent Representative on May 13, 2005; he also presented his credentials as Ambassador to the United States in May and presented his credentials as High Commissioner to Canada
on June 7.
In mid-2007, Bonnelame was appointed as Chairman of the Constitutional Appointment Authority (CAA); he was replaced by Ronald Jumeau
as Permanent Representative to the UN and as Ambassador to the US. In April 2008, Bonnelame was additionally appointed by President Michel as a member of a constitutional review commission.
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
political figure and diplomat. He was Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Commission
Indian Ocean Commission
The Indian Ocean Commission , known as the Commission de l'Océan Indien in French, is an intergovernmental organization that joins Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, France , and the Seychelles together to encourage cooperation. It was started in January 1984 under the General Victoria Agreement...
from 1993 to 1997, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Seychelles)
This page lists Foreign Ministers of Seychelles:* James Richard Mancham* Jacques Hodoul* Guy Sinon* Maxime Ferrari* France-Albert René* Danielle de St. Jorre* Jérémie Bonnelame* Patrick Pillay* James Michel* Jean-Paul Adam...
from 1997 to 2005, and was the Permanent Representative of the Seychelles to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
from 2005 to 2007. Since 2007 he has been the Chairman of the Constitutional Appointment Authority (CAA).
Bonnelame was born on Mahé Island
Mahé, Seychelles
Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles, lying in the north east of the nation. The population of Mahé is 80,000. It contains the capital city of Victoria and accommodates 90% of the country's total population...
in the Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
. He worked as a teacher at the Modern Secondary School of Seychelles from 1967 to 1975, as well as Editor-in-Chief of L'Écho des Îles, a Catholic monthly. He was subsequently Director-General of Information from 1978 to 1979, then Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education from 1979 to 1980, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of External Relations from 1981 to 1983, and Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Information from 1983 to 1986.
He entered the government as Minister of Manpower in 1986, serving in that position until 1988; he was then Minister of Transport from 1988 to 1989 and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries from 1989 to 1993. He was not included in the government named on August 3, 1993 and was instead appointed as Secretary-General of the Indian Ocean Commission in the same year. He remained in that post until he returned to the Seychellois government as Minister of Foreign Affairs in August 1997.
Bonnelame was replaced as Foreign Minister in February 2005 and was instead nominated as Permanent Representative of the Seychelles to the United Nations and Ambassador to a number of countries, including the United States, by President James Michel
James Michel
Colonel James Alix Michel is a Seychellois politician who has been President of Seychelles since April 16, 2004. He previously served as Vice-President under his predecessor, France-Albert René, from 1996 to 2004...
. The National Assembly approved the nomination on March 1. Presenting the motion for its approval, Leader of Government Business Patrick Herminie
Patrick Herminie
Patrick Herminie is the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, to which post he was elected on May 29. 2007. He is a member of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front, and was first elected to the Assembly in 1993.-References:*...
noted Bonnelame's extensive experience as a politician and diplomat; the opposition chose to abstain from the vote, acknowledging that Bonnelame was qualified for the post but questioning the selection of a man of Bonnelame's age, expressing the view that a younger person would be more suitable. Bonnelame presented his credentials as Permanent Representative on May 13, 2005; he also presented his credentials as Ambassador to the United States in May and presented his credentials as High Commissioner to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
on June 7.
In mid-2007, Bonnelame was appointed as Chairman of the Constitutional Appointment Authority (CAA); he was replaced by Ronald Jumeau
Ronald Jumeau
Ronald Jean Jumeau is a Seychellois political figure and diplomat. He held various ministerial positions in the government from 1998 to 2007 and has been Permanent Representative of the Seychelles to the United Nations and Ambassador to the United States since 2007.Jumeau was born in Dar es...
as Permanent Representative to the UN and as Ambassador to the US. In April 2008, Bonnelame was additionally appointed by President Michel as a member of a constitutional review commission.