October 13, 2006

“The Brotherhood” – Are they for real or is this just another prank?

In an unprecedented move this week a group calling themselves “The Brotherhood” sent shock waves in the country when, in a chilling message reminiscent of international terrorist groups and broadcasted on SBC television, they threatened to target certain individuals in society which they claimed are the “pillars of dictatorship”.  The “Brotherhood” claim that their mission is “…to exterminate the pillars of dictatorship and corruption from our country”. They say that “membership of this project is now open to every young man and woman who feels betrayed by the SPPF abuse of our democratic rights”.

Whether “The Brotherhood” has been formed as a reaction to the incident which they have dubbed “Black October” is not clear. However, the question which remains unanswered is whether “The Brotherhood” is a serious organization with a mission or is this just another prank? The message which was accompanied by a picture of a rifle and printed on one A4 sheet seems to be a prank but the Commissioner of Police went on television to inform the public that the police are taking this matter seriously. Protection will be offered to the people mentioned as targets in the message, he said, although the form of protection was not revealed. Experts are yet to determine whether the message is genuine but one is strongly reminded of similar messages sent by terrorist groups around the world to announce their intention before they strike.  It is not clear whether “The Brotherhood” is a bunch of copycats but the implication of such a message being  propagated in the Country and abroad is enormous, especially to the economy of the country as tourists and even the US navy warships may be reluctant to come to our shores.

Although the group claimed that they are not affiliated to any political party the Commissioner of Police disputed that.  However, he was careful not to mention any political party on television.  If indeed the group is linked to a political party then parallel can be drawn with the IRA of Sein Fein movement of Northern Ireland or Fatah of PLO Movement in Palestine and even the ANC of South Africa which at one point in their turbulent history had armed wings which engaged in armed struggles alongside their political activities. The content of the communiqué is unprecedented in Seychelles and it remains to be seen whether future communiqués will be released.  The persons identified by names as targets in the pamphlet are said to be nervous and have expressed grave concern for their safety and security and that of their immediate family, friends and relatives. 

Seychelles is not known to be a breeding ground for terrorist. The Country has enjoyed relative peace, calm and tranquility since the end of the one-party state era until the incident of 3rd October 2006 at the National Assembly when the SNP leadership claimed they were violently attacked and assaulted by members of the Security Forces at a peaceful gathering.  Pictures of Jean-Francois Ferrari and Wavel Ramkalawan drenched in blood were displayed in the national media and made their way internationally via the Internet reaching the International Community at large.  Both Annette Georges and the Commissioner of Police were interviewed by BBC radio giving an international dimension to the local incident.  The BBC even carried a journalistic piece about the incident on their website which was published in Le nouveau Seychelles Weekly last week as the paper covered the incident extensively.

Whether “The Brotherhood” has been formed as a reaction to the incident which they have dubbed “Black October” is not clear. However, the question which remains unanswered is whether “The Brotherhood” is a serious organization with a mission or is this just another prank?

Copyright 2006: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles