Editorial

Editorial

Violence Breeds Violence

According to ‘The People’, the SPPF party rag, in this week’s issue, those behind the mercenary invasion of 25th November 1981, owe the people of Seychelles an apology. However, before that happens France Albert Rene has to apologise for the violent coup which ousted the legitimately and democratically elected government of James R. Mancham of which he formed part as Prime Minister.

Rene single-handedly was responsible for introducing violence to the peace loving people of these Islands. This was a treasonable act punishable by death under the laws of Seychelles at the time. Is it not opportune therefore for Rene to use the occasion of his 71st birthday to show genuine remorse by asking the people of Seychelles for forgiveness instead of advocating more violence?

Whereas ex-president Bill Clinton of the USA and Nelson Mandela of South Africa had spent their retirement years to start a foundation, Rene has used his time to instigate his erstwhile political opponents and detractors.

In his statement relayed by the state controlled broadcasting media on the occasion of his birthday, Albert Rene revealed his distorted notion of what democracy is. According to him, had there not been democracy in Seychelles as the opposition claims, no one would be walking freely in the streets. This reveals the state of mind of the former dictator – that if democracy had not existed, the opposition (meaning the leaders) would cease to exist. The opposition in Rene’s view is just a nuisance – that is tolerated only to give a semblance of democracy. He cannot bear to be criticised. The former president, by this kind of statement, keeps re-opening the wounds of our country’s violent past.

After all these years maybe now is finally the time for the Leader of the defunct one-party state regime borne out of the violent coup d’etat, to apologise to the people of Seychelles for this act of treason, the ripples of which are still being felt to this day and will continue to be felt until there is closure, which is only obtainable once he has apologised.

IS PUBLIC FUNDS BEING USED TO PAY FOR THE BIRTHDAY BASH OF ALBERT RENE?

As Rene threw a lavish birthday bash on the well trimmed lawns of State House last week to celebrate his 71st birthday, many are asking whether this private birthday party is being financed by tax payers’ hard earned cash? Rene is no longer a high profile public figure having passed on power to President Michel. His private expenses are not and ought not to be budgeted for in the national budget of the Country. It is strange therefore that Rene continues to enjoy the perks of a privileged life bestowed only on the most important of public figures in the Country in the same way that he did when he was Head of State. It is not surprising therefore that he was full of praise for President Michel since Michel continues to indulge his whims and fancies.

Surprisingly enough, Rene also uses these rare public occasions to spout scorn and poison at all and asunder who dare to oppose the SPPF elites in any manner, shape or form. The SPPF party has always been known as an elitist party with a small group of leaders enjoying all the perks, priviledges and prestige of absolute power whereas the grass roots is expected to do the donkey work. The SPPF has been effective and successful in making the masses believe that they are best suited to represent them and that they have the best interest of the workers at heart. Nothing can be further from the truth as the SPUP and then SPPF have continously used the people to first get power and then remain in power at all cost. One day when the workers realise that their interest is not always best served by the elitist SPPF government, and that they are being used to keep a rotten regime in power at great cost to the country only then will they be able to shed the shackles of mental slavery.