Hey Minister, let’s use England as the Yardstick for reference to all our actions in Government, what do you say?

Troukler

Hey Minister, let’s use England as the Yardstick for reference to all our actions in Government, what do you say?

This challenge is to Minister Dugasse and the SPPF regime in general. It appears that whenever the SPPF regime wants to justify an action which gives them more control to suppress or reject a proposal from the opposition, they use the examples from the so called “countries which are models of democracy in the region and the rest of the world”. They will usually give examples from England, Mauritius, South Africa etc.

I am all in favour of taking good examples of democracy in action. We should do it on a continual basis but not on whims when it suits us. Only then will we mature as a nation. However, on the other hand when we do not want to implement something we call it the “Seychelles way”.

This challenge will therefore mark this government throughout its five-year term. We will monitor and report constantly the actions of this regime with reference to these “great democracies”. We shall look forward to the various issues such as; good governance, declaration of assets in the civil service, human rights, business practice etc.

With reference to the amendment of the broadcasting service bill, Minister Dugasse said that the refusal to provide the license has been taken “in the interest of the nation”. I could not agree more! What remains to be seen is if future actions of this government are taken in the same light. This piece will not debate whether a political or religious organization must be able to have a radio broadcasting license, this can be best served in another article.

With reference to the news article which appeared in the nation on Wednesday 4th October, it was quoted that Mr Patrick Herminie in his intervention on the above mentioned bill that “that this is not being practiced in the Commonwealth or even the whole Africa”. Good reference Honorable Herminie, we hope that you use the same high standards for other bills or proposals brought forth by the opposition and the people of Seychelles.

The people are watching!!!

James Michel let slip a chance to show true Statesmanship

Disappointment is not strong enough to express how I felt when listening to Mr Michel’s comments with reference to the brutality shown by the police towards the Leader of Opposition, Jean-Francois Ferrari and others.

Mr Michel had a great opportunity to show real “grandeur d’esprit” to unite the nation. Unfortunately he didn’t.

In other “great democracies such as England, South Africa and others”, the action of the police towards a respected member of the nation and such a small and peaceful gathering would have been condemned by the President, and/or requested a full investigation.

What does Mr Michel do? Cheap politicking! He added fuel to the fire saying “that no violence will be tolerated” and that the “SNP leadership is thirsty for power”.

Well Mr Michel, there was no violence whatsoever by the SNP or anyone for that matter. Violence and brutality was started by the behaviour of the SMU. What would he expect if the leaders of SPPF were beaten up without any justification?