Seychelles Weekly

Sir - It is not going to be easy for Mr Michel to truly live up to being the President of all the people, for he has been complicit with his predecessor in dividing the people of Seychelles into political affiliations. During the one-party state, those of us who never supported the Seychelles People’s United Party (SPUP) and therefore opposed the coup d’état and the one-party system that was created, were considered enemies of the people, were discriminated against, harassed by agents of the party in power and even imprisoned without trial and sent into exile abroad. ... read more

News that the Chairman of the Constitutional Appointments Authority (CAA), the erstwhile France Gonsalves Bonte, has tendered his resignation to President James Michel recently surprised many this week. ... read more

The Appellant, Andy Mondon, was charged with the offence of Murder contrary to section 193 and punishable under section 194 of the Penal Code. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. He now appeals against both conviction and sentence. ... read more

When he learnt that the University has established the Annual Fund to improve Student Welfare, Teaching, Research, Environment and Facilities, Mr Bonte was interested to learn more about the areas where support was most urgently needed. He felt that he would like to give something back to the university by helping current and future students. ... read more

According to the Director of the Independent School, Mr. Zotique Pragassen, the students have once again managed to pleasantly surprise his establishment, with a 100% pass rate, 91.7% of all grades being credits or distinctions. ... read more

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joined an international chorus urging the government (of Somalia) to work with other groups and avoid revenge or triumphalism. The government should “engage in an inclusive political process including moderate Islamic Courts members, clan elders, religious leaders and civic community leaders,” Ban told a news conference. ... read more

The Aride Island Nature Reserve is now in the hands of the Island Conservation Society (ICS). This news was announced this week, Monday, by the State media after the signing of the agreement between Island Development Company (IDC) and the Island Conservation Society. ... read more

The World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, has chosen the Principal Secretary for Environment as a Young Global Leader. This adds to Dr. Payet’s many accolades. Lest we forget, the young and charismatic Dr. Rolph Payet is the youngest member of the Central Committee of the SPPF ruling party. ... read more

At a reception last Friday to mark the 58th Anniversary of India’s Republic Day, the Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles, H.E. Arun Kumar Goel, in his address at the Coral Strand Hotel remarked that India has never allowed a smaller country to feel small, and has always extended her arm of friendship to Seychelles, which continues to be one of its important partners. ... read more

The crowning of the best of the best among our athletes was done last Saturday, 27th January 2007, at SMB Hall, Roche Caiman. President Michel assisted in the presentation of the awards. Janet Thelermont walked away for the second consecutive year with the Sports Woman of the year, 2006, title. Georgie Cupidon managed to wrestle the Sports Man of the year award from the grip of Allan Julie who finished fifth in the men’s category. ... read more

Yves Maurel is Max Maurel’s son and has returned to the Seychelles after years of study abroad to “straighten out” his father’s estate. In his Will Max Maurel appointed Gerard Maurel as his executor almost eight years ago. According to Yves, to date practically nothing has been done. No account has yet been rendered of the estate. ... read more

16 year old Haajira Jumaye is a sparkly young lady who has just started her first year at the Polytechnic. Considering her age, she shouldn’t be there until next year. But that is not all. For Haajira is also very intelligent. She has to be to obtain 10 ‘O’ levels all with A’s. ... read more

In a recent issue of “The People” (Vol. 16 No. 2 dated 18 January 2007) certain members of the opposition were referred to as “lining their nests” in a front page article, entitled ‘SNP members pad their nests’. The article hinted at the misdemeanor being committed by the persons referred therein. This appears to be a move by the paper towards bringing to task persons who appear to be working against the principal of the offices that they hold. ... read more

A group of Seychellois fishermen have complained to this paper about current practices at SFA which are proving simply too hard to stomach. They say that the Managing Director of SFA, Mr. Rudolph Payet, is increasingly adopting a dictatorial style and making it difficult for them to earn a meager living. On their part, SFA has made it clear that they are simply implementing government policy. ... read more

This paper has received credible information that President Michel is under a lot of pressure to close down IDC altogether. If this is true, it would release considerable agricultural land on our outer islands for the commencement of intensive industrial farming and rearing of livestock; taking the pressures off Mahe and the other inner islands. ... read more

The population is incensed in the way SBC TV, Radio and the Seychelles Nation reported on the passing away of Mr. Philibert Loizeau on Wednesday morning at the Victoria Hospital. Mr. Loizeau was seventy-five years old. A former Cabinet Minister and Central Committee Member of the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF), he deserves better treatment from the people he served so diligently in helping them attain power. ... read more

An outbreak of bird flu has been reported in the UK and 160,000 turkeys have been slaughtered at a poultry farm --- Arab League diplomat sent to Iraq to pursuade Kurdish, Shiite and Sunni leaders to make peace has resigned after failure --- The last remaining white farmers in Zimbabwe resist government deadline for them to leave their land --- After Indonesian flood 20 died and 340,000 fled their homes --- Iran defied UN and will not suspend uranium enrichment program --- Two ministers in the PM cabinet asked Blair to stay on as prime minister --- In Japan the ruling block has suffered a setback at the poll --- 9 Chinese workers kidnapped from the offices of a Chinese oil firm in Nigeria have been released --- Downing Street warns of threats to national security from terrorism, disease, energy shortage and pandemics for Britain's next decade ---

Bruce Boniface now signed with Virgin Records.

Bruce Boniface

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