26th June 2007
Dear Editor Ralph Volcère,
You called me to ask whether, as the founding father of our Nation, I would contribute some comments on the occasion of the 31st Anniversary of our
However, thank you for the opportunity. Even in this year 2007 when the talk from State House is about “one country, one people” – Mr. Ibrahim Afif – the Chief Executive Officer of our only TV and Radio network, will not dare to give to the founding President of the Republic the opportunity to address his people on such an historic occasion. Yet, Mr. Afif has been busy over recent weeks putting maximum efforts in disseminating the propaganda of his bosses about our past and future.
On the 5th of June 2007, Mr. F.A. René spoke about the role he played in the Coup d’Etat of 1977. Oblivious to the fact that speaking over Radio Seychelles just after the Coup, the same Mr. René went out of his way to explain that he had nothing to do with the organization of the event which was the result of a conspiracy of a few people who were fed-up with James Mancham and his Government and that these people had called on him to take up the Presidency.
The reasons given for the dissatisfactions were:–
Mr. Mancham was spending a lot of time outside
The second reason was that Mr. Mancham had become an international playboy. Well, let us be reminded of what our mutual friend Maitre James Ernest Thomas, a former Attorney General said about that. “How stupid of Albert to call Jimmy an international playboy, when he himself is known and acknowledged to be playing in the chicken yards.”
The third reason was that I was selling all the lands to Arabs. And the fourth reason was that I wanted to be a President for life. Well, let us leave these two allegations for the appreciation and comments of reasonable thinking people. But Albert you call yourself a “liberator.” How could you call yourself a “liberator” in 1977 of a people who had become free under your Prime Minister-ship in 1976?
Surely you are not suggesting that you liberated them from a man so committed to peace that he decided to make you Prime Minister in order to achieve reconciliation in the country after
Of course, you are not an entirely evil person – but Ti-Frans those housing developments which materialized in the Third Republic after I had introduced the climate of reconciliation in the country, following my return from exile, could have materialized within the framework of our coalition Government where besides being Prime Minister, you also held the portfolio of Minister of Land and Housing Development.
I do think it was insensitive and scandalous for the SPPF to revive negative emotions in the country by making a big do around the 30th Anniversary of the Coup d’Etat and around the metallic monument, which was named “Zonm Lib.” The Opposition could easily next year attract a similar crowd dressed in black to observe the “Day of Infamy.”
Whilst former President René stole the show on the 5th of June 2007 – President James Alix Michel made sure that he dominated the celebrations of the National Day on the 18th of June. As if recognizing and accepting that the 18th of June National Day was a day of compromise, President Michel spoke in the spirit of national unity.
“The 18th of June is a date on our calendar when we gather together to celebrate our country, cradle of our identity as a Nation, the land of our ancestors, these small Islands which are our ‘motherland’ our ‘country.’ It is a reminder that we indeed share one
The elections are now over and it is time for us to move on and work in national unity for the national benefit. Our different political opinions should now serve as constructive criticism for the betterment of our country. Above all, let us use our debates to promote progressing unity…..
Our country is increasingly open to influence to all corners of the world. These can bring a lot of benefit but also challenges. Together, we can protect ourselves from those bad influences and where appropriate, benefit from global trends….
Dear people of
Now, on the 29th of June 2007, and the 31st anniversary of the day
Well, President James Alix Michel has four more long years to go as the President of the Nation. Why not therefore provide him with all the support to become a great President of all Seychellois rather than just a President for SPPF supporters? However, President Michel will not achieve this position unless the President of the SPPF, Mr. France Albert René, allows him the latitudes to do so.
In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to Albert to let James becomes his own boss and to join me in becoming another Ambassador for Peace in the country.
All of us working together can certainly secure a better future for the country with a higher level of fraternal harmony. Would it not be a matter of great national impact if SBC TV could launch a series of honest and transparent round table discussions featuring President Michel, myself, former President René, Vice President Belmont, Leader of Opposition, Wavel Ramkalawan, DP Leader
(i) National Reconciliation and the unity of our people.
(ii) Making sure that Seychellois do not become second class citizens in their own country.
(iii) The preservation of the beauty and natural heritage of our fragile islands.
(iv) Keeping the Seychellois happy and smiling.
(v) Evolving a code of ethics - ‘savoir faire’, ‘savoir vivre’ and ‘social responsibility’ commensurate with a proud Nation.
(vi) Finding a solution to the forex problem.
(vii) Winning the war against drugs and alcoholism.
(viii) Aspiring to a higher level of spiritual awareness and fulfillment.
To achieve unity in
We must go through a period of Reversal and Restoration and address whatever caused the other to feel hurt and violated. We must be open to efforts to reconcile and seek to correct injustices.
In order to achieve unity in the country, we must go through a period of Reconciliation and Renewal with readiness – (i) to give up claim for retaliation, (ii) to forgive and be opened to receive forgiveness, (iii) to resolve to help the other to change and (iv) to foster goodwill.
This of course will require attitudes of humility, generosity and service. We can of course find comfort and encouragement in the words of some famous personalities who have impacted human life.
• “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be son of your Father in Heaven…” Jesus Christ (Mathew 5.44-46)
• “When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won.” Mahatma Gandhi
• “We never get rid of an enemy by meeting hate with hate; we get rid of an enemy by getting rid of enmity.” Dr. Martin Luther-King (Jr.)
With these words to reflect and ponder upon, I send all my good wishes to all the people of
James R. Mancham