United Nations Security Council Resolution 496

United Nations Security Council resolution 496, adopted unanimously on 15 December 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 25 November 1981.

UN Security Council
Resolution 496
Seychelles
Date15 December 1981
Meeting no.2,314
CodeS/RES/496 (Document)
SubjectSeychelles
Voting summary
  • 15 voted for
  • None voted against
  • None abstained
ResultAdopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members
Non-permanent members

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 31 January 1982.

Approximately 40 mercenaries were caught with weapons at Seychelles International Airport and the coup failed.[1] 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".[2] The country later called for a civil aviation boycott of South Africa in response,[3] 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.[4]

A report on the events was examined in Resolution 507 (1982).

See also

References
  1. Scarr, Deryck (2000). Seychelles since 1770: history of a slave and post-slavery society. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-85065-363-9.
  2. AFP (16 December 1981). "UN team for Seychelles". The Age. Australia.
  3. Associated Press (19 December 1981). "Seychelles Newspaper Asks Air Boycott on South Africa". The New York Times.
  4. United Press International (19 December 1981). "South Africa says it may try released mercenaries". The Afro-American.
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