Seychelles is now at its most dangerous cross-roads of its entire history. In the last few months after the Presidential election of 31st July, 2006, we have seen more violence than ever before in our very short existence. Although not proven yet, there are speculations that some of the violence at least, seems to be either State sponsored or the State has chosen to turn a blind eye. As far as we know no formal investigation or inquiry into these alleged unlawful killings had taken place. State House has its own security and intelligence network which is feared in the Country and are known to be ruthless in their dealings against the so called “enemies of the State.” This group is also known to have access to and are using the latest in electronic technology for their so called intelligence work. They are mandated to spy on the nationals, listen to phone conversations and intimidate at will, especially supporters of opposition parties. In the private sector we have the SPSS, Special Patrol Security Service, a private security firm with close ties with the ruling party, with a licence to meet out punishment (brutal) to opposition supporters which they have done on numerous occasions.
Assassination Attempts:
It is not a secret that on the 3rd October, 2006, outside the National Assembly there was a direct attempt by security forces to assassinate the leader of the opposition, Wavel Ramkalawan and another prominent SNP leader Mr. Jean Francois Ferrari. Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan the elected leader of the opposition and presidential candidate at the last election won 46% of the popular vote after the SNP and DP join forces in a political alliance designed to capitulate the SPPF. Mr. Jean Francois Ferrari is a well known and popular political icon in
Most recent Murders and Killings:
Only two weeks ago Ricky Hermitte, 27, a driver (private hire operator) of Roche Caiman, known for his opposition to the ruling party was lured to Sans Soucis where he was brutally attacked by unidentified individuals using machetes. He died of his injuries before reaching the hospital. Barely a day or two after the assassination of Hermitte another young man, George Aglae, 29, of La Louise (known to be a friend of Hermitte) was found dead in the stream that runs behind the Central Post Office in Victoria. The explanation given by the police is hard to believe because water running through that stream is hardly enough to drown a chicken, let alone a healthy young man with the physical strength of Aglae. Last month (14/10/06) a young girl, Audrey Banane of Les Mammelles, 14, was also found dead in a tin shack at Mont Fleuri from multiple stab wounds, the circumstances surrounding that particular killing is also very suspicious. In the last few months others have been found dead around the country in suspicious circumstances. The police, it seems, is unable to offer credible explanation for these deaths. Are we becoming the highest murder rate per capita in the world as well?
An Atmosphere of Fear:
These incidents have now created an atmosphere of fear and desperation about the country. The leaflet in circulation from the ‘Red Devils’ a group associating themselves with the ruling party (SPPF) is not helping the situation as the Commissioner of police has not address it as he did the leaflet from ‘The Brotherhood’. In that leaflet the ‘Red Devils’ are threatening to kill people indiscriminately and has threatened to descend upon political activities by the opposition in Victoria, armed with batons and machetes. According to the leaflet put out by ‘Demon Rouz’ (Red Devils) “They (the opposition) will be hit by a red ‘tsunami’, in red masks, coming down towards them with machetes and sticks, no-one will be able to hold us back.” Friends of opposition leaders, people not even in the frontline of politics like Anthony Juliette, John Lablache, Fred Payet a body guard and Doreen Eden, a mere supporter, have had a death sentence put over their heads.
State Sponsored Violence:
In the run-up to the presidential election (31st July, 2006) and just after the results were known (01st August, 2006), elements from a private security firm (SPSS) went on the rampage, beating everyone they met and whom they suspected of not supporting the SPPF. Several people, thought to be more than twenty in numbers, attended the casualty department at the
Furthermore, during the election time the ruling party organised groups of ten to twenty women wearing SPPF t-shirts and caps - armed with umbrellas who roamed the streets of
Apart from the physical violence, the right to employment, a house from government, a loan and to do business in
The International Community Must Act Now:
The
The state of fear that is engulfing our paradise islands is promising to get worse because the people in charge of providing protection for the population are themselves condoning and almost encouraging the perpetrators of the violence. The International Community looking in on this situation must now act to prevent
Ralph Volcere – Managing Editor, Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly
