Troukler

ALL SEYCHELLES SHOULD BE PROUD, SAYS PRESIDENT MICHEL

According to the Seychelles Nation of Friday 5th October, 2007, President Michel said that, “Every Seychellois who has their country at heart should be proud that Seychelles has been recognized at an international level as a leader in good governance”. Apparently President Michel was commenting on the recent news that Seychelles has been ranked as the second best governed country in Africa following a first comprehensive ranking of good governance in Africa.

Well - to tell the truth on this matter, the only people who are proud of this situation must be the few that still support mediocrity in the form of this SPPF Administration. We would have had good reason to be proud of this fact if Seychelles was being compared to countries where genuine democracy and good governance does really exist and prevail in the daily life of their citizens, countries like India, USA, Australia, the UK and Caribbean island states similar to Seychelles. As far as we are concerned it is a shameful exercise if not an insult to compare our country with the worse kind in the world (Africa) as far as good governance is concern.

Mo Ibrahim and his team of Havard academics must have their heads examined as it is feared that they could be suffering from some kind of mental illnesses. President Michel did not hesitate to jump onboard this bandwagon upon his return from France last week, Wednesday. Speaking to his preferred group of journalists upon his arrival Michel stated that, “Seychelles’ ranking as the second best governed country in Africa shows that the country’s institutions are good, strong and democratic and that the country has made much progress over the years”. It is important to note at this stage that even among the worse we could not come out on top. We came out second best, not a good thing to be overtly proud of, but not Michel, show him a straw and he will clutch it with both hands and feet.    

Admittedly, let us give credit where some credit is probably due, President Michel did give a hint that he was none too proud of this accolade from Mo Ibrahim, but to have expressed openly his displeasure would have meant questioning the legacy of his predecessor, this he could not risk doing. It would have kick-start the beginning of the end of his reign. “But this does not mean that everything is right and that we must rest on our laurels.” President Michel was quoted to have commented.

Despite all this façade by this Government in faking good governance, normality and progress in the economic life of the country. The true state of affairs has risen to the surface, it has started to consume the perpetrators just like water rising through a sinking ship, if they are not already, soon they will be up to their neck in murky water.