By Mathew Servina
Centre For Rights & Development (CEFRAD)
We, The People of Seychelles, became a Sovereign Nation upon attaining National Independence on 29th June 1976. Coup d'etat 5th June 1997 brought into our lives a Second Republic; for 15 years that date was celebrated as National Day. With the adoption of a new Democratic Constitution, by over 60 percent of Seychellois voters on 18 June 1993, we began to live in Third Republic under our current Supreme Law which came into force on 21 June same year. Today some of us refer to June 18 as National Day, others as Anniversary of Third Republic.
This year we have started referring to 'Our Constitution: Voice of the Nation'. Same National Document which SOLEMNLY DECLARES 'our unswaying commitment during this our Third Republic', to
Maintain Seychelles as an independent state both politically and economically;
Safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Final expression of PREAMBLE: HEREBY adopt and confer upon yourselves this Constitution as the fundamental and Supreme Law of our Sovereign and Democratic Republic. It makes it very clear, if we truly want to live with national unity, harmony, peace and stability, we all have to show genuine respect for our National Sovereignty, which also includes our natural environment and citizens.
State media has principal responsibility to remind us all that National Day means 'the Day we became an Independent and Sovereign Nation'. That was on June 29, not June 5 or June 18. It has been incorrect for SBC and Seychelles NATION to advertise 18 June 2008 as 15th Anniversary of our National Day. Our reality is: June 29 this year shall be 32nd Anniversary of the Day we became a Sovereign Nation. Let us stop confusing our Nation, if we seriously want to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Independent State. If we truly love our so-called paradise, let us show respect not just with words and lyrics, but also with attitudes and actions that will enable us to effectively handle our realities and maintain our independence and sovereignty. This is essentially what true patriotism is about.