Point 1: The very existence of this committee acknowledges the fact that the Government recognizes that there is a problem of division in the country. A problem which must be cured if we are to face the present period of economic difficulties as a united nation.
Point 2: Question which must be first determined is what lies behind the division within the Nation?
Point 3: Division came about upon the emergence of popular politics and the birth of partisan politics at the time when the Constitutional advancement of the country, then a British colony, was an issue.
Point 4: The result of the aggressiveness of bi-partisan politics saw a nation that was almost half and half divided, prevailing in an atmosphere of polarization and tension as we approached independence.
Point 5: For this reason, DP and SPUP, constituted a coalition government to lead the country to independence and beyond in an atmosphere of fraternal harmony.
Point 6: There is no doubt that the coalition period was characterized by positive inward investments and a cool down of inter-party hostilities. We saw political leaders of all political persuasions socializing together in a fraternal atmosphere with the result of the emergence of a high level of harmony among the grassroots of all political persuasions.
Point 7: Unfortunately Mr. F.A Rene, motivated by personal ambition and a hunger for power, engineered a coup d’etat on 5th June 1977 for which he ultimately acknowledged credit .
Point 8: Following the coup, history records that the legal constitution of Seychelles to which Mr. Rene had sworn allegiance, was dictatorially abrogated. Instead we saw the emergence of a one party state and talk of ‘La Revolution’.
Point 9: Could this coup d’etat be in any way justified or was it an act of utter treason?
Point 10: It must be recognized that any attempt to resolve this question through bi-partisan debate and discussions, on the prevailing atmosphere of manipulation, has the potential of creating more division and more bitterness within our society.
Point 11: Should the President of the Republic, therefore, appoint a ‘Truth and Justice Commission’ headed by some international statesmen to resolve the issues? (After all, the President only recently appointed a judge from Ireland to investigate the case of an assault on the Leader of Opposition and another member of the National Assembly within the precinct of the National Assembly in the aftermath of the last Presidential elections.)
Point 12: Or, in the alternative, should not the President commit himself heart and soul to the process of National Reconciliation in a manner which will leave a question of the coup d’etat to be a matter for debate and discussion by history?
Point 13: If the President is to go along the route of National Reconciliation, then he must demonstrate his commitment to it be following early concrete actions – (i) The dismantling of ‘Zonm Lib’ and the end of the policy of laying flowers to its memory every 5th June.
In the same spirit as above, new names should be given to (i) Revolution Avenue (ii) 5th June Avenue and (iii) Francis Rachel Street.
N.B.: There are many who believe that in the spirit of grandeur d’esprit, Zonm Lib should be replaced by a statue of the late Gerard Hoareau, who was assassinated in London in cold blood, and who is regarded today as a silent national hero. Since this may not be politically acceptable, as a gesture of compromise, ‘Zonm Lib’ should be replaced by a monument in honour of National Unity and renaming the place where ‘Zonm Lib’ stands today to “La Place de la Reconciliation Nationale.”
One should also consider a commitment to the President of the Republic that if he succeeds to bring forth a Government of National Unity’ then considerations would be given to naming the place where ‘Zonm Lib’ stands today, “La Place du President James Michel.”
Point 14: What revolution?
The so called Rene Revolution should be accepted to have backfired resulting into a lot of prejudices against the well being of the people of Seychelles. Those who wish to argue otherwise should tell us where is NYS? Where is SMB? Where is the Young Pioneers? Where is the militia? Where is the Hotel ownership by government? Where is the Youth League? Where is farming cooperatives? History records the fact that the revolution has been an abysmal failure and has caused thousands of Seychellois to seek political refugee status in other countries.
With respect to housing projects for those who did not have a house, this may appear as a ‘gift’ which resulted from the so-called revolution. This would have been laudable if the cost of these projects had been met by money coming to the State as a result of a successful economic policy. But at the moment we know that all these projects were the result of excessive and reckless borrowing, sometimes tinted with corruption, to the extent that the country is now bankrupt and has been obliged to engage the IMF.
Point 15: Engaging the IMF in practice would mean that the people have a lot of bitter pills to swallow and that in view of the fragility of our economy that all people of Seychelles should “Koste Ansanm” as one nation. If this is to materialize, it is incumbent that all our political players should work together with not only their minds, but also with their hearts and soul to put into place on an urgent basis a ‘Government of National Unity’.
Point 16: Any political player who is not ready to work within the framework would show that he or she is more interested in individual power and glory rather than the well being of the nation. When we see what is going on today in nearby Kenya and Madagascar, we are bound to accept the fact that the moment has come for a ‘Government of National Unity’ in our beloved Seychelles.
This is the only way ahead if we want to face the future in an atmosphere of fraternal social cohesion and enduring political stability.
N.B. The above were key points made and elaborated upon by Founding President James R. Mancham on Friday 24th April 2009 in an address he delivered to the “Koste Seselwa” committee to an invitation he had received to address them at their meeting on the aforesaid date at State House under the chairmanship of Vice President Joseph Belmont duly appointed by the Head of State, President James Alix Michel.
Rising Tide received a copy via email which was sent to all interested Seychellois. Our copy was forwarded to us from one of those contacts.
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