Seychelles Weekly

Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly has decided to serialise one of the most riveting and dramatic criminal trials of our times. This trial provides an in depth view of the way politics was being conducted in Seychelles in the 1970’s. Similarities between then and now are uncanny. It would also put our present political situation in a historical perspective. ... read more

The issue of dialogue between the political parties has become paramount especially now that individuals are taking it upon themselves to decide on how best to remedy recent conflict and/or disagreement between the party in power and the parties in opposition. The Commissioner of Police Mr. Gerard Waye-Hive will have a lot to answer to if this situation gets out of hand. ... read more

The composition of the board of directors of the Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB) was made public last week. According to a communiqué from State House, President Michel has reviewed the membership of the board of directors of SMB and has appointed Danny Faure, the Minister for Finance, confidant and protégé of Mr. Rene as its new chairperson for a period of three years. This appointment is a remarkable departure from past practices. .... read more

President James Michel visited housing and community projects in Glacis district on Saturday (14/10/06) as part of his programme to see ongoing projects in the districts while looking at potential ones that can be undertaken in the future. But the elected representative of the people for the district Honourable Regina Alcindor did not form part the President’s entourage as she was not invited. ... read more

Seychelles was represented at the Miss Intercontinental 2006, beauty pageant held in Nassau, the

Bahamas

from October 6-17, by Wendy Boniface the winner of the Miss Seychelles Islands 2006 Pageant, held at The Plantation Club Hotel on 29^th June this year. Wendy Boniface is 20yrs old and stands at 1.74 m with measurements of 88-60-90. ... read more

Brothers In Dictatorship

Sir, A few days ago, North Korea made headline news by declaring that it had, despite international protests and anger, exploded a nuclear bomb, thus gaining a place in the nuclear club against the resolution of the United Nations. Sometimes we forget the close links which France Albert Rene developed with North Korea generally and Kim II Sung in particular. ... read more

President Michel this week took the trouble to appeal for peace and calm last Tuesday as the National Assembly resumed its normal business. He also called for an Official Inquiry into the incident which fuelled violence in Victoria last Tuesday. The graphic pictures published in “Weekly” and “Regar” last week clearly depicted that the SNP leadership and supporters were the ones who were the victims of violence and police brutality. ... read more

The news that we have borrowed more money in foreign currency at very high interest rates compared to the so-called prime borrowers, is disconcerting. As has been pointed out in previous articles in this newspaper, our country needs additional foreign currency debts like a junkie needing an additional fix in a rehab. ... readmore

Part of the Minister of Finance, Mr Danny Faure’s statement to the National Assembly was to tell us that Mr Chang Leng, the Central Bank Governor, would announce new ways to calculate the exchange rate of the rupee in terms of the other international currencies. The same evening Mr Chang Leng was seen on SBC television telling us that the relative movement of the exchange rate of the rupee will from now on be influenced by only 3 currencies instead of 6 as previously. As is common with all such “new initiatives” it is intended to change nothing. ... read more

The Central Bank has issued new directives to banks on how to treat foreign exchange earnings coming into the banking system. The move follows the announcement by the Minister of Finance, Danny Faure, last week in the National Assembly that Government plans to liberalise the regulations controlling foreign exchange.The new directive orders the commercial banks to transfer 15% of all foreign exchange they receive to the account of the Central Bank. ... read more

Last week there were certain questions asked in the SPPF mouthpiece “The People” about the whereabouts of the Democratic Party leadership at the time of the Petition signing exercise at the National Assembly precincts. The Democratic Party’s unwavering commitment to peace, national reconciliation, democracy has not diminished over the years. We have consistently reiterated our policies and programme at every given opportunity. ... read more

The government has committed our country to a spate of new but very expensive borrowings from the international investment community once again. And once again the new loan will be used to repay a previous commercial loan that we are having a hard time repaying. This is what the new Minister of Finance, Mr Danny Faure told the National Assembly last week. It was apparent from Mr Faure’s demeanour on television that he was unsure of what he was getting us into. ... read more

Political tension in the country has risen to a level that is causing serious concerns to church leaders since the incident of 3rd October. Last week the bishops of the Catholic and Anglican churches issued a public statement calling for a dialogue between President Michel and the Opposition party, SNP. This week the Seychelles Evangelistic Alliance, a grouping of several evangelical churches issued their own statement urging restraint and dialogue. ... read more

Last week the commissioner of Police Mr Waye Hive gave widespread publicity on radio and television to a pamphlet which had been received by the local press via email. The pamphlet claimed “We are the Brotherhood against dictatorship formed 03 October, 2006”. That was the date riot police set upon the Leader of the Opposition and other members of the Seychelles National Party (SNP) who had gathered at a peaceful assembly in order to sign a petition. Last Sunday a new pamphlet started making the rounds across the island. This time not through the internet but by hand.The authors of the pamphlet, entitled “DEMON ROUZ” or RED DEVIL, claim they are supporters of the SPPF and that they are responding to what they term SNP supporters behind the BROTHERHOOD. ... read more

The Supreme Court presided over by Justice Duncan Gaswaga has delivered judgment in the case of The Republic v/s Cliff Emmanuel, Richard Freminot and Patrick Lime on the 18th October 2006. The three accused were originally charged with murder after Norah Antat, a 63 year old lady was found dead, tied and gagged. ... read more

Last week a young man daringly robbed a tourist in Market Street in broad daylight. The young man grabbed the tourist’s bag then ran towards the direction of Church Street where he was later arrested by the personnel of a private security firm. What was shocking about the incident was the fact that there was no policeman around even though the Central Police station was just a stone’s throw away. ... read more

The imposition of price control has unquestionably and single-handedly been responsible for killing the entrepreneurial and business spirit in Seychelles. Whilst all modern economies have allowed the free market and competition to dictate prices in the shops, Seychelles has stuck to the anachronistic price control mechanism, not as a means to keep prices of goods down, but to punish undesirable merchants who were considered not to be sympathetic to the SPPF cause. ... read more

US Secretary of State accuses North Korea of seeking to escalate tension over its nuclear bomb program --- US Secretary of State prods Russia on erosion of press freedom in that country --- Ugandan President travels to southern Sudan to bolster faltering talks between his government and LRA rebels --- Scientists have identified cells in the body that sends warning signals when TB is detected --- Georgia’s government is angry with Putin’s claim that Georgia is preparing for war in two provinces --- Horn of Africa’s troubles could make the region a major front in the war on terror --- Experts say sending very young children to nurseries could cause them emotional harm --- A new pamphlet by a group called DEMON ROUZ circulating in Seychelles threaten to kill SNP leaders in retaliation if SPPF members are killed --- Seychelles government sells international bonds to get forex to pay old debts --- DP says the party is still committed to peace and national reconciliation despite events of October 3rd --- Devaluation of the Seychelles Rupee appears to be on the way following Central Bank adoption of new currency basket formula ---