United Nations Security Council Resolution 496
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
496, adopted unanimously on December 15, 1981, after hearing representations from the Seychelles
, the Council condemned the recent coup
attempt in the country by foreign mercenaries
, including Mike Hoare
, allegedly backed by South Africa
, and the subsequent hijacking of an Air India
plane, on November 25, 1981.
The resolution went on to establish a commission, with the assistance of the Secretary-General, to investigate the events and to report back by no later than January 31, 1982.
Approximately 40 mercenaries were caught with weapons at Seychelles International Airport
and the coup failed. The representative of the Seychelles, Glovanella Gonthier, told the Council that there was "every reason to believe that South Africa might have been involved in the aggression". The country later called for a civil aviation boycott of South Africa in response, but South Africa denied involvement and said it would try some of the 39 mercenaries who had landed in the country aboard the hijacked Air India flight.
A report on the events was examined in Resolution 507
(1982).
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...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
496, adopted unanimously on December 15, 1981, after hearing representations from 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....
, the Council condemned the recent coup
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
attempt in the country by foreign mercenaries
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
, including Mike Hoare
Mike Hoare
Thomas Michael Hoare is an Irish mercenary leader known for military activities in Africa and his failed attempt to conduct a coup d'état in the Seychelles.-Early life and military career:...
, allegedly backed by South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and the subsequent hijacking of an Air India
Air India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is part of the government of India owned Air India Limited . The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Its corporate office is located at the Air India Building at Nariman...
plane, on November 25, 1981.
The resolution went on to establish a commission, with the assistance of the Secretary-General, to investigate the events and to report back by no later than January 31, 1982.
Approximately 40 mercenaries were caught with weapons at Seychelles International Airport
Seychelles International Airport
Seychelles International Airport or Aéroport de La Pointe la Rue as it is known locally is located on the island of Mahé, Seychelles near the capital city of Victoria...
and the coup failed. The representative of the Seychelles, Glovanella Gonthier, told the Council that there was "every reason to believe that South Africa might have been involved in the aggression". The country later called for a civil aviation boycott of South Africa in response, but South Africa denied involvement and said it would try some of the 39 mercenaries who had landed in the country aboard the hijacked Air India flight.
A report on the events was examined in Resolution 507
United Nations Security Council Resolution 507
United Nations Security Council Resolution 496, adopted unanimously on May 28, 1982, after examing a report by the Security Council Commission on the Seychelles adopted in Resolution 496 , the Council expressed its concern at the November 1981 coup attempt in the Seychelles by foreign mercenaries,...
(1982).
See also
- History of SeychellesHistory of SeychellesThe recorded history of Seychelles dates back to the 17th century. The islands were appropriated and settled by France in the 18th century. African slaves were brought to the island, and the characteristic Seychellois Creole language developed. Britain took possession of the islands in the early...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 401 to 500 (1976 – 1982)
- The Seychelles affair