THE answer to this perennial question lies with the gullible Mrs. Marie Louise Potter, the Leader of Government Business, who recently found herself in the unenviable position of having to take diametrically opposite orders from two Presidents. Immediately after President Michel was appointed President in 2004 by the erstwhile President Rene, many argued that Michel was only a lame duck President, taking orders directly from the former.
Others also argued that when Michel gets his own mandate from the people of
However, surprisingly, there was no drastic change in policy or the manner in which the business of government was conducted. If anything, by now it is becoming increasingly apparent that Michel is rapidly losing control over the affairs of the country.
A clear sign that all is not well between the two Presidents happened on Tuesday, 26th March 2007, when two separate motions brought by the SPPF to appoint former President Mancham and Mr. Sivasankaran (the Indian billionaire recently turned Seychellois) as ambassadors at large. Sivakaran was handpicked by President Michel for the job whereas Mancham was Ramkalawan's choice. Their mandate was to promote
Ramkalawan, who was informed of the state of affairs, apparently called President Michel to enquire. President Michel is alleged to have told Ramkalawan that he was completely in the dark about the issue and that he had specifically ordered Potter to present the motions. Potter was clearly taking concurrent and contradictory orders from both Presidents and cleverly decided to side with Rene over Michel. Potter, it is to be remembered, is simply a proportionally elected member of the National Assembly and as such Rene can pull her out at a whim. Potter did suffer this fate some time back when she was thrown in political wilderness only to be brought back several years later and promptly given a new lease of life in politics. As such she threads on very thin ice and has to perform the delicate task of pleasing two Presidents at the same time, a mammoth feat for anybody, let alone our very own Mrs. Potter.
Immediately prior to stepping down as President of the country Rene orchestrated yet another coup within his own party when he ordered a comprehensive review and amendment of the SPPF's constitution clearly concentrating absolute power in the hands of the President of the party rather than the President of the country. In one masterstroke, he then assumed the powerful post of leader of the party and overnight became the most powerful man in the country. Albert Rene is also the political maverick who masterminded four consecutive Presidential and general election victories for the SPPF after multi-party politics was re-introduced in
Although some have questioned his methods which borders on the dictatorial and some might even say controversial, it has proven quite effective and successful thus far. It is an open secret that René did not particularly like Ramkalawan and the two never saw eye to eye.
The same cannot be said about the fledgling relationship between Michel and Ramkalawan which seems to be getting warmer with each passing day, something which may very well upsets Rene. Ramkalawan has not helped matters as he has been telling everyone who cares to listen that President Michel will appoint a government of national unity after Rene passes away, appointing him as Vice President, which has further aggravated an already tense situation.
The SPPF stalwarts seem to be split within two camps at present, with some siding with Michel whilst others have opted for Rene. The power struggle within the SPPF party has left it vulnerable and divided. The opposition for its part is not faring any better as Ramkalawan has idiotically split the opposition to formally join the Michel's camp to spite Rene.
The reason why Rene decided to pull the rug from under President Michel's feet and embarrass him in the process is still a mystery and remains in the realm of speculation. What is clear, however, is that by canceling both the nominations of Mancham and Sivasankaran as roving ambassadors for and on behalf of the government of Seychelles, René has shown yet again that he is still the man in charge of the country. Lest President Michel forgets!