Troukler

Is Seychelles a kleptocracry?

Corruption is about far more than an envelope filled with five hundred rupee notes in someone’s back pocket. At its most extreme whole economies are destroyed by its evil influence.  Oil rich Nigeria is a case in point, it is virtually impossible to live a normal life there without encountering corruption. As a result the economy is gravely affected, crime is rife, politics is a sick joke and at the top, people aren’t just skimming off enough to top up their inadequate salaries, they are literally stealing billions.

A lot of companies have been set-up to help achieve this.  This does not only mean that many companies are helping to line certain peoples’ pockets illegally but that often the wrong equipment is bought, (like the desalination plant) and many projects are undertaken, buildings are constructed for no better reason other than the politicians can get their kick backs. While the natural resources that could help a country drag itself out of poverty are being siphoned off into untraceable offshore bank accounts.

As a result the political processes become weakened and discredited, people then ask; what is the point in voting if the new leadership just wants to start ripping the country off again? Alternatively the population may turn to other political parties, who appear to offer easy and honest solutions to obvious problems that the established order has no interest in solving. This also creates the situation where the ruling party will do almost anything to hold on to power.

Fixing elections is the easy option when losing means an end to millions in bribes for corrupt officials, their family and supporters, and possible prosecution for corruption which could lead to prison.  This isn’t just a third world problem; although in places like the Congo, Argentina and Indonesia, to name just three kleptocracy can have devastating effects; it is happening in Europe and America as well.  Every time a politician is caught taking a bribe or paid for turning a blind eye or even accepts dubious political donations in exchange for influence a little bit of faith in democracy dies.  The use of state institutions for the benefit of a few individuals, with control over the country’s economic resources gives rise to the term kleptocracy.   How far Seychelles is from this state of affairs will be played out in the May 2007 elections.

Elections 2007:The Informal Referendum

The coming elections are being held under the guise of a request, by the SPPF, for a larger majority in the Assembly.  This in itself is a referendum in sheep’s clothing.  The SPPF were in majority, as has been the case for the last 30 years.  They are now requesting for a larger majority in the assembly to be able to work.  In reality they are requesting for power to change the constitution without putting the changes to test via a referendum.  In other words the SPPF are seeking greater power without the accompanying accountability and responsibility.  This is the death knell for democracy.  During the past 14 years of SPPF in power look at the number of committees appointed by the National Assembly.  None of these committees have ever delivered anything of substance.  The committees are nothing but disposal sites used to bury anything that is not in the governments favour. A Constitution should only be changed through frank, open and honest discussion with the people of Seychelles.  Any other way is devious and dishonest.  With the elections in May 2007 the nation will vote on the path we want for our nation’s future.  Are we prepared to let the SPPF play around with the Constitution without us having a say? Do we trust them that much?

SPPF i lalang

An 1991 SPPF ti retourn miltiparti dan Sesel apre bokou presyon sorti a letranze kot bann pei ek lorganizasyon demokratik.  Sa bann lorganizasyon ti santi ki lademokrasi ki meyer pou Sesel.  Me ozordi SPPF per konfiz lepep seselwa zot pe dir ki lopozisyon pe vin fer dezord dan pei e dan lasanble ouswa pe vin ranpli zot pos - ouswa met lobstak dan zot larout – SPPF i lalang.  Si SPPF i vwar ki lopozisyon i en lobstak pou zot, i senp zot pa ti a zanmen aksepte pou retourn en sistenm miltiparti - zot ti a kit zot sistenm parti inik e diktater e ozordi dan sesel ti pou napa en lopozisyon pou lager pou lazistis.  SPPF pe zis konfiz seselwa avek tou sa bann mansonz ek bat latet.

April 27, 2007
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles