Troukler: Two faces, two expressions.

TROUKLER

TWO FACES, TWO EXPRESSIONS

Michel and Hu Jintao Pictures published in “The People” this week under the title “Cooperation build on a 30-year friendship” shows President Michel shaking hands with Hu Jintao in China in a photo opportunity whilst on state visit there.

Whilst Mr. Jintao looks relaxed and confident, our President Michel had a “constipated” look on his face as if he was suffering from some sort of ailment. It is not clear whether President Michel felt uncomfortable being photographed with a prominent Communist politician or whether he was genuinely not feeling well on the day. Either way, the question many are asking is why “The People” published this photograph which clearly shows the President in some discomfort.

This is certainly not the best picture taken by President Michel as his smile does not come across as natural and relaxed in the photograph. Maybe the photographer caught the President by surprise as he is clearly shown not to have been ready for the photograph. Since President Michel represents the whole of Seychelles on these visits overseas, the editor of “The People” should be more careful about what photograph it chooses to portray the President. This photograph can hardly be said to be flattering to our President nor does it do justice to his handsome features!

How far are we from achieving democracy?

The four pillars of democracy are generally known to be the rule of law, good governance, an independent judiciary and freedom of expression. It is now abundantly clear that we are as far away from achieving democracy as ever before in our history.

There has been a systematic assault by the SPPF government with the apparent collusion of the Judiciary to suppress democracy in Seychelles. Exaggerated and huge lawsuit is the preferred strategy adopted by the Government, Civil Servants, Ministers and Presidents as a weapon to gag the free press and render them voiceless. The Courts have not batted an eyelid in ordering the “Regar” newspaper to pay large sums of money to the claimants as a means to its closure. This hardly augurs well for our fledgling democracy and it clearly shows that our democratic institutions are not operating independently of each other. Collaboration and apparent collusion between the Government and the Judiciary to suppress democracy in Seychelles sends the wrong message to the international community.

Transparency and accountability are non-existent in our country. The SPPF Government has merely paid lip service to the ideals of democracy such as transparency, accountability, declaration of assets, an independent judiciary, good governance, the rule of law, freedom of expression and checks and balances. It is about time we wake up and smell the coffee!