Seychelles President James Michel calls Presidential Election

Cabinet approves new legislation

01-March-2016
The Cabinet met in an extra-ordinary session yesterday morning to discuss and approve draft legislation concerning four important measures announced by President James Michel in his State of the nation address on February 16.

The first of these concerned amendments to Articles 52, 52A, and 66A of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles limiting to two the number of full terms that a President or Vice-President may serve.

Cabinet approved legislation amending the Constitutional Appointees Emoluments Act that would require ministers and members of the legislature, to have reached the retirement age of 63 years before being eligible for any pension specified in the Act.

Cabinet also approved the Anti-Corruption Bill 2016 which would establish an Anti-Corruption Commission, provide for its functions and powers, and create a means by which the commission can investigate, detect and prevent corrupt practices. The Bill also provided protection for whistleblowers, as well as for actions taken in good faith.

The Cabinet also approved two amendments to the Penal Code. The first of these would decriminalise homosexuality, bringing Seychelles in proper conformity with its international obligations under United Nations Declaration of Human Rights which require that there be protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The second amendment to the Penal Code was to provide for the criminalisation of fraud undertaken through new technology concepts, such as the cloning of ATM (Automated Transaction Machine) cards, stealing electronic identities of card users, or acquiring equipment or facilities for committing such fraud.

The President emphasised the importance of the rule of law in Seychelles, and that laws be fair and conform to the wishes of the people, and that they be strengthened and properly enforced.
The legislation will be brought before the National Assembly soon.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=248587

A new political movement regrouping four opposition political parties has lodged its official papers at the Electoral Commission (EC) this afternoon.

The political party named ‘Linyon Sanzman’ will regroup representatives from the Seychelles National Party (SNP), Lalyans Seselwa (LS), the Seychelles Party for Social Justice & Democracy (SPSD) and the independent candidate, Philippe Boullé.
The Chairperson of the EC, Hendrick Gappy says the five commissioners will meet soon to decide on the fate of the new party.
Linyon Sanzman is represented by the Roger Mancienne as Leader, Clifford Andre as Secretary General and Roy Fonseka as Treasurer.

Source Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/189753581088957/photos/a.190167844380864.48522.189753581088957/1044848238912816/?type=3&theater

CEPS : bonne gouvernance et société civile ?

10-March-2016



Dans la continuité de son plan stratégique 2014-2017, l’ONG Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (CEPS) a entamé une série de formations à destination des acteurs de la société civile pour 2016.
Dans le souci de créer une intelligence collective, cette première session a abordé le thème de la gouvernance, au travers de son principe, des fonctions clés de l’organisation civile et des bonnes pratiques. Tout ceci, dans le but de les amener à plus de transparence, à renforcer les capacités et les pratiques managériales existantes.
Pendant deux jours, le jeudi 3 et le vendredi 4 mars, les 12 organisations présentes, ainsi que le personnel de CEPS, ont pu échanger et apprendre ensemble. Dans la salle de formation de CEPS, à Orion Mall, Victoria, la consultante Mme Barbara Carolus-André a partagé, de manière créative, interactive et professionnelle, son expérience et ses connaissances. M. Marcel Rosalie, nouveau directeur général de CEPS depuis le mardi 1er mars 2016, faisait partie des formés. Selon lui, nous ne finissons jamais d’apprendre.
Mme Monica Servina, responsable de la commission pour l’égalité des genres et la gouvernance à CEPS, a lancé, avec intérêt cette session et a profité pour continuer à améliorer ses connaissances et partager sa longue expérience au sujet de la gouvernance. « Nous sommes là pour vous aider personnellement, pour aider votre association, ce qui fait avancer CEPS et par conséquence les Seychelles. La plateforme CEPS s’est mise en place en novembre 2014, mais nous existions depuis bien longtemps avec Liaison Unit for NGOs (LUNGOS). Nous avons atteint une certaine maturité pour devenir un acteur central afin de fédérer toutes les associations et ONG aux Seychelles. Nous voulons porter cette voix de la société civile au plus haut niveau aux Seychelles », a-t-elle indiqué.
La plateforme CEPS a deux objectifs principaux. Le premier est d’être l’acteur majeur représentant les organisations de la société civile aux Seychelles. Faire de la promotion active de la société civile, un pilier fort du développement national et international des Seychelles, est le second. L’atteinte de ces objectifs passe par un programme de formation ciblé, d’où cette session au sujet de la bonne gouvernance.
Mme Barbara Carolus-André a donné un certain nombre d’indications sur la définition de la bonne gouvernance. Entre autres, celle-ci consiste à se concentrer sur l’objectif de l’organisation afin d’offrir un bon service aux citoyens et aux utilisateurs. Aussi, que la bonne gouvernance est une valeur qui passe par le comportement de ses dirigeants, de ses membres et de ses volontaires. Cela veut dire, également, savoir se tenir informé, prendre des décisions claires et gérer les risques au niveau de l’organisation.
Ce programme de formation 2016 a été financé en partie par les contributions fiscales des entreprises comme Throwbathy Store, Kerai Construction et Winma Trading. CEPS tient á remercier ces entreprises partenaires qui investissent pour le développement de la société civile aux Seychelles.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=248674

Six African states go to polls
African Union hopes transparency and peace will prevail during elections in Niger, Congo, Benin, Cape Verde and Zanzibar; and referendum in Senegal

http://aa.com.tr/en/world/six-african-states-go-to-polls/540807

Prison inmate Robert Banane dies

21-March-2016
Admitted to hospital on Friday, inmate Robert Banane succumbed to his injuries and died on Saturday.
Prison superintendent Maxime Tirant told Seychelles NATION that Mr Banane was among the inmates who threw projectiles at police officers from the roof of the Montagne Posée prison and he later fell to the ground.
Mr Tirant added that Mr Banane sustained injuries in his abdomen and the prison division is waiting for the result of the postmortem to know the exact cause of death.
Meanwhile President James Michel has expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of Mr Banane.
Superintendant Tirant explained that the incident started on Thursday March 17 when three inmates of the secured incarceration unit (SIU) forced their way out of the prison but were stopped as they were trying to jump over the fence.
“Although the three were brought back into the prison itself, they refused along with all the other inmates in the high security facility unit to get into their cells and the situation persisted until the next day, Friday March 18. As the situation had boiled over, the police were called in on Friday afternoon to help diffuse it and some inmates climbed onto the roof of the prison and threw broken concrete slabs at the officers who used tear gas and non-lethal weapon. The deceased was on the roof of the prison and he fell. He sustained injuries in his abdomen, but it is not clear what caused the injuries. He was brought to the Seychelles Hospital but died on Saturday,” said Mr Tirant.
Asked how the situation was at the prison on Saturday, Superintendent Tirant said “it was stable and the three inmates of the secured incarceration unit had already gone back to their cells”.
He added that security was on high alert.
An investigation to determine what exactly happened has already started.
Seychelles NATION learned that Mr Banane had been sentenced to two months imprisonment for the non-payment of a fine and was to be released soon.

Source Nation

Petisyon kont rezilta eleksyon:

29-March-2016
Verdikt le 31 Me
Se Mardi le 31 Me 9er bomaten ki Lakour Konstitisyonnel pou rann zizman dan zafer petisyon kont rezilta eleksyon prezidansyel ki ti fer an Desanm 2015.
Dan sa petisyon, kandida perdan Wavel Ramkalawan pe konteste rezilta eleksyon lo de baz – konmkwa ki kandida gannyan James Michel pa ti ganny plis ki 50% vot dan 2enm tour pour fer li ganny deklare prezidan e ki ti annan iregilarite dan prosedir eleksyon.
Se prezidan sa lakour, Sef Ziz Mathilda Twomey ki ti donn sa dat zizman yer bomaten, apre ki li ek son de koleg – Ziz McKee e Akiiki Kiiza – ti’n ekout dernyen prezantasyon bann avoka. Azoute avek zot depozisyon an ekri, zot ti’n ganny sakenn 15 minit pour adres Lakour.
Apard Prezidan Michel, Msye Ramkalawan in dan sa zafer osi pourswiv Biro Prokirer Zeneral ek Komisyonner Eleksyon.
Le trwa avoka ki pe siksesivman reprezant sa trwa parti – Basil Hoareau, Samantha Aglae ek Prokirer Zeneral Rony Govinden – in dir ki napa levidans pour siport sa 15 lenstans iregilarite ki zot koleg Bernard Georges in anmennen an faver Msye Ramkalawan. Sa i prensipalman ki serten voter ti’n vann zot kart idantite, lank ek spray ki ti met lo ledwa pa ti bon, dan serten distrik lakantite voter pa ti koresponn avek lakantite papye vote e non dimoun lo rezis voter, Lazans Proteksyon Sosyal (ASP) ti donn larzan san zistifikasyon, distribisyon larzan lo zil Perseverance, travayer Indian Ocean Tuna (IOT) ek serten solda ek ansennyan ti ganny entimide pour vot pour Msye Michel akoz zot ti ganny dir ki otreman zot pa pou resevwar zot saler apartir lafen dimwan Fevriye e osi lentimidasyon dan serten distrik.
Msye Georges in osi prezant lezot ka lenflians parey menas pour Etihad aret vin Sesel e pardon san zistifikasyon pour en prizonyen.
Dan zot lesey pour kas sa bann largiman, bann avoka ladefans in donn legzanp parey kot si en msye ti pe asiz devan dan linogirasyon prezidan, sa pa ase pour prouve ki i ti’n aste kart idantite. Ni lefe ki ansyen prezidan Albert Rene ti’n telefonn lider Lalyans Seselwa Patrick Pillay, ki ti alye Msye Ramkalawan dan 2enm tour. Osi, zis en temwen ki ti’n dir lank ek spray ki ti mark ledwa pa ti bon e ti efas fasilman, alor ki pour zot sa de komodite i sorti kot en fourniser sir. Dan ka ki petisyonner in dir ki ASP ti ekrir dimoun pour demann zot pour vin sers larzan, zot dir ki napa okenn let ki’n prezante an kour konman levidans.
Zot in plito soulinyen ki dan en ka sivil parey petisyon kont rezilta eleksyon, fodre annan «levidans pozitiv san okenn dout» e «non pa persepsyon». Zot in donk ensiste ki eleksyon in deroul dapre lalwa e ki i’n napa move lentansyon de lapar personn, e napa laprev ki bann azan konsernen in ganny demande pour azir an faver repondan. Si in annan fot zot dir, sa se bann erer imen ki pa’n ganny fer par ekspre e ki dapre zot, pa’n ase pour afekte rezilta eleksyon.
Le trwa avoka in azoute ki ti annan sifizaman mezir anplas pour asire ki eleksyon i valid. Par egzanp, en mark kot non en dimoun ler son non i ganny kriye pour li pa vot de fwa. Apard lefe ki rezilta ti pre, zot dir napa tandans ki montre iregilarite e ki sa pa ase pour ki vot i rekonte.
Msye Georges in reponn ki i pa depan lo petisyonner pour prouv son ka, me ki i plito depan lo lakour pour deside. Dan sa ka, i dir, i annan sifizaman lensertitid pour lakour desid lo la.
In azoute ki i annan diferan distrik parey Anse Aux Pins, Cascade ek Zil Pros kot bann iregilarite in kapab sanz rezilta eleksyon.
«Laprev bann pratik ilegal tousel i sifizan. Laprev en pratik ilegal dan limenm i ase pour prouve ki rezilta eleksyon pa kredib,» Msye Georges in dir.
Pour esey prouv zot ka, tou le de kote in sit lezot kontestasyon rezilta eleksyon ki’n arive dan bann pei Commonwealth. Sa in enkli kont Rajiv Ghandhi an Lenn, Anerood Jugnauth Moris ek Uhuru Kenyatta Kenya.
Sef Ziz Twomey, ki’n dir ki sa zafer pou mark listwar zidisyer Sesel, ti regilyerman enteronp bann avoka pour poz kestyon e fer serten remark. Par egzanp, ki petisyonner ti annan zis de semenn pour fayle son ka e ki i ti napa akse avek serten levidans e si ou aste kart idantite en dimoun, sa i anpes li vote. Eski sa i kapab donn en lendikasyon lo verdikt ki lakour i kapab delivre ? Lepep Seselwa pou reste enpasyan ziska le 31 Me pour konnen.
Antretan, avoka tou le de parti in eksprim zot konfidans dan en rezilta dan faver zot kliyan. Zot in osi azoute ki zot krwar ki nenport ki verdikt pou kre en presedans e sanz lafason ki eleksyon i organize Sesel dan lavenir.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=248886

Statement on President James Michel’s first 100 days of his last mandate

30-March-2016
President fulfill pledges to better people’s lives

The first 100 days of President James Michel’s third and final five-year mandate have put to the test our determination and courage to accomplish what is better for our people, Vice-President Danny Faure told the National Assembly yesterday.
It is to be recalled that after he was sworn in as President following his victory in last December’s election, Mr Michel committed his government to deliver on different measures during the first 100 days of his mandate.
Now that the 100 days have elapsed, Vice-President Faure, in a statement to the National Assembly, outlined the actions taken or being taken in line with President Michel’s commitment as follows:
• A special court is to be set up to try and deal specifically with drug and drug-related cases;
• Laws will be amended accordingly to allow the Judiciary discretion to sentence anybody arrested in possession of drugs;
• Laws will be amended to allow for drug addicts to be treated and rehabilitated under medically supervised programmes.
Vice-President Faure informed Assembly members that during its session on March 23 the Cabinet of Ministers considered a modern and very comprehensive Bill which will establish the legal framework within which the above mentioned actions will be carried out.
The Misuse of Drugs Bill 2016 which was published in the Official Gazette of March 24, will soon be presented for National Assembly consideration and approval.
Other actions Vice-President Faure announced included a proposal to put in place a regional structure within the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) for intelligence gathering, coordination and operation against organised drug trafficking networks.
“The proposal was taken up and discussed during the IOC’s 31st Foreign Affairs Ministers’ council meeting held on February 26 in La Réunion,” Vice-President Faure said.
On the audit of all ministries and departments, Vice-President Faure said this has been completed and action taken to address shortcomings will start as from next month.
On the question of payment of gratuity and compensation to former SPDF members, 710 such members have already been paid their gratuity while 98 cases which involve the heirs of those members are being reviewed before being processed for payment.
With regard to payment of compensation, Vice-President Faure said the SPDF is in the process of finalising the necessary documents in preparation to make the payments expected on April 18.
To date 196 out of 202 former Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) servicemen have been paid their ex-gratia payment.
Vice-President Faure pointed out that in addition to the 202 ex-servicemen, there are other cases which have been registered for consideration by the Ministry responsible for Finance.
While increases in gratuity in the public service has already come into effect, ‘My First Job Scheme’ started at the end of February and already 18 companies in the private sector have been refunded for enrolling 71 young cadres under the programme.
Housing allowance for university graduates has increased from R3,000 to R4,000 monthly and the duration of payment has been extended from three to five years and these are in effect since January. As of March 28, 132 graduates are benefitting.
Allowance for Seychellois students in private post-secondary establishments has also come into effect.
Laptop scheme has since January this year been extended to S4 students and to date 92 students have seized the opportunity to obtain a laptop.
Free specialised medical care for Seychellois referred to Seychelles Hospital by private clinics has also come into effect and a lot of people are benefitting.
With regard to renewable energy democratisation scheme launched earlier this year, already PV panels have been installed on 15 homes.
Other actions taken include:
• 13th month salary for public sector employees has been completed;
• Home improvement loan scheme for pensioners which government is subsidizing at a 25% rate has been finalised and will be administered by the Housing Finance Company (HFC);
• Maximum salary to qualify for a HFC loan has increased to R30,000 per month and this is also in effect as well as the maximum salary to qualify for a Home Improvement Loan (HIL) which has increased to R15,000. The maximum housing loan has also increased to reach R850,000.
• Increase in pensioners’ pension will as from end of April increase from R3,600 to R5,050 in line with increase in the national minimum wage.
Vice-President Faure stressed that President Michel has kept his promise and the government, through its hard work has delivered on those commitments to better the lives of our people.
“The 100 days have put to the test our determination and courage to accomplish what is better for our people,” Vice-President Faure told the Assembly.
Following Vice-President Faure’s statement, Assembly members sought clarification on numerous issues related to different aspects of the different measures.
The leader of government business Marie-Antoinette Rose for instance wanted to know what the government is doing to ensure there are mechanisms in place for effective realisation of the different measures and programmes announced by the President so that when accessing them people are properly guided and not made to go round and round resulting in more frustration rather than the solution they are seeking.
Vice-President Faure said the government is concerned by the matter as public satisfaction is crucial in determining if a programme is effective.
He said a lot of work is being done to ensure that ministries, departments and agencies responsible to carry out the different programmes have in place the necessary mechanisms to guide, inform and educate the public on the programmes available to them and the easiest way to access them.
He called on all concerned to come up with effective public information and education campaigns.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=248908

President and Vice-President’s term of office limited to two

06-April-2016
The President and Vice-President of Seychelles will now be allowed to serve only two five-year terms in office.
This follows the approval by the National Assembly of an amendment to the Constitution.

The amendment, the 7th made to the Constitution of Seychelles since it came into force in 1993, was presented in a Bill tabled before the Assembly in its session yesterday morning by Vice-President Danny Faure. It was unanimously approved by the House.
The Bill seeks to amend Article 52(2), 52A (2), 66A (7) and 12 of the Constitution in order to limit the term of office of the President and Vice-President of the republic.

In his presentation on the amendment Vice-President Danny Faure drew members’ attention to Article 91(1) of the Constitution of Seychelles which clearly defines circumstances for alteration to the Constitution while Article 91 (2) explains the mechanism through which amendments to other Articles of the document could be carried out.

Vice-President Faure stressed that it is in line with the above that government is proposing the amendment to the Constitution.
He explained that limiting the term of office of the President and Vice-President reflects the continuous changing geopolitical situation of the world which calls for small Seychelles to also make the appropriate and necessary changes as we continue to improve our democracy and consolidate our national institutions.

“The government firmly believes the time has come to carry out these important changes,” Vice-President Faure stated.
He noted that altering a Constitution is very serious and done only after serious consideration, noting that to date the National Assembly has approved only six amendments to the Constitution. The 1st Assembly approved four constitutional amendments, the 2nd Assembly one, the 3rd Assembly did not approve any, the 4th Assembly approved the 6th and today the 5th Assembly had the honour to debate, consider and approve the 7th constitutional amendment to limit the term of office for the President and Vice-President.

Members who presented arguments on the amendment were also of the view that the timing is appropriate and Seychelles needs to move with the changes thus allowing young intellectuals aspiring to one day lead this country in the office of President and Vice-President to have hope.

Elected member for English River, Kevin Vidot, believes it is a good move as it will prevent abuse of power, monopoly, corruption and is showing that our democracy is active, alive and vibrant.

For the leader of the opposition in the Assembly, David Pierre, the amendment is simple but a meaningful one.
The leader of government business, Marie Antoinette Rose, noted that while in many countries amendments to the constitution are proposed to prolong the term of office of presidents on the eve of election, Seychelles is doing the contrary.

“This shows the level of maturity of our democracy,” she said, adding that the geopolitical situation of the world today demands that we meet international norms and allow our democracy space to further develop.

Source Seychelles Nation

«Napa lentansyon malisye deryer Linyon Sanzman,» Martin Aglaé i dir

07-April-2016

Motivasyon Linyon Sanzman, en nouvo parti politik ki’n anrezistre, se pour travay avek lezot parti lopozisyon pour retir Parti Lepep o pouvwar.
Se lider sa parti Martin Aglae ki’n dir sa pandan en konferans de pres yer bomaten.
Msye Aglae in azoute ki kontrerman a sa ki serten dimoun i kwar, desizyon pour anrezistre sa parti anba sa non pa’n ganny pran avek en lentansyon malisye kont lezot lider lopozisyon ki ti zwenn avek dirizan SNP (Seychelles National Party) Wavel Ramkalawan, pour konteste dezyenm tour eleksyon prezidansyel an Desanm lannen pase. Sa ti Msye Patrick Pillay (Lalyans Seselwa), Madanm Alexia Amesbury (Parti Seselwa pour Lazistis Sosyal ek Lademokrasi – SPSJD) e kandida endepandan Philippe Boullé.
Msye Aglae in plito dir ki i annan lentansyon pour ralye lezot parti lopozisyon anba sa platform Linyon Sanzman ki li i dirize.
In azoute ki desizyon sa parti pa malisye akoz dapre li sa lot Linyon Sanzman i ilegal akoz i pa’n anrezistre ofisyelman.
Me in kanmenm konteste leadership SNP anba Msye Wavel Ramkalawan, ki i dir pa anvi tir Parti Lepep o pouvwar. I’n plito fer resorti ki i pa pou aksepte sa politisyen dan sa nouvo Linyon Sanzman. Sa menm si en zournalis ti fer li rapel ki lider SNP ti ganny preski 50% vot dan dernyen eleksyon.
Lo kestyon si lezot parti lopozisyon pou rekonnet oubyen afilye zot avek sa Linyon Sanzman, Msye Aglae in dir ki son parti i an se moman an konsiltasyon ek negosiasyon avek omwen en lot parti politik.
Menm si in limenm ganny akize konman pa stab dan politik akoz in sanz parti plizyer fwa, i azoute ki i kwar ki i annan sa lafors e abilite pour diriz en linyon lopozisyon. Sa i menm si i limenm fer rapel ki i ti ganny zis 73 vot kan i ti debout konman kandida Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) pour bann zil pros dan en eleksyon lezislativ.
Menm si i osi dakor ki i annan en konfizyon parmi piblik lo lekel vre Linyon Sanzman, Msye Aglae i ensiste ki se pa li ki’n kre sa konfizyon, akoz parey i ankor repete, sa lot pa’n anrezistre e i dapre li ilegal.
Msye Aglae in osi deklare ki i pe an se moman finans Linyon Sanzman limenm, e ki konpare avek sa ki serten pe spekile, sa parti pa pe fonksyonn anba lenflians okenn lot parti politik.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=248992

ARID election observers on international mission

07-April-2016
Three election observers from the Association for Rights, Information and Democracy (ARID) will leave the country this week to observe elections in the region.
Jules Hoareau will be deployed in Tchad to observe the presidential election to be held on April 10. He will form part of the African Union (AU) observer mission in Tchad. Catherine Belmont will be part of the AU election observer mission in Djibouti while Santana Adrienne will also join the AU election observer mission in Equatorial Guinea for the presidential election.
In February this year three election observers from ARID formed part of election observer missions in Uganda, Comoros and Niger.

Source Seychelles Nation

Facebook Comment - It is not his fault - the racism in Seychelles politic - he ought to have come forward much earlier - we went Berlin for the Presidential all those who know and the invitation/why. ( Remember the article about the quiet white person and the withe male who stripped in Amsterdam - we have pictures - those in Holland who will have a great laugh and this super fudge) Mr Aglae read this morning news one of those involved in the Bruxelles/Paris incident worked as a cleaner at the EU building - Ask of the several bus companies who do the London Continent - the dynamic buzz last year and that SIROP program. What it take to make a successful get together. Bunch of Mungu - not you Mr Agale. Teh support of the Market, the media , the government and citizens of EU and they knew/know about the situation in that Seychelles and the Indian ocean and the Gulf Region. Those who forget the news state of finance of SNCF - why the bus is suddenly popular - because we travel back and forth on it and the buzz on those bus about our workings - the Markets, the politic and load of other craps. The scandal of Panama papers. That poor white person who got into trouble for stripping at the big Amsterdam station should be given a nice break. Mr Agale tell "that keker" next to your right the AU office in Bruxelles end their love. The German know and have known about - that was before that mega exile/refugee cackup in Germany.

https://eudevdays.eu/.../african-union-permanent-mission...

Much ado about Wavel

The leader of the newly registered political party, ‘Linyon Sanzman’ , Martin Aglae says his party is ready to work with all opposition leaders, except Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party.

Martin Aglae (middle) accompanied by his Vice President Dave Jeanne and Secretary Shirley Auguste

Rumours have been rife since early last month when it emerged that a new party has registered as ‘Linyon Sanzman’, especially after it was revealed that it had nothing to do with the original political grouping which emerged after the first round of the presidential election in December last year and which campaigned for the presidential runoff under the banner of 'Linyon Sanzman’ or Union for Change.

The identities of those behind the ‘Linyon Sanzman’ were revealed late on Tuesday evening in a statement sent to state media from the Electoral Commission. The statement, which was not communicated to TODAY, revealed the person behind the party was Martin Aglae.

Mr Aglae has been associated with a number of opposition parties in the past namely, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), where he stood as a candidate for the La Digue constituency in 2011, with Seselwa United Party (SUP), the Seychelles National Party and recently the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy (SPSD). His reasons for leaving all four parties were that their leaders were out only to promote, attain and defend their own personal interests and care for nobody else. In December 2015, he openly expressed his support for the Parti Lepep candidate in the second round of the Presidential election.

The support for Parti Lepep appears to have been short lived as he announced in a press conference yesterday that he was the president of the new political party ‘Linyon Sanzman’ and his main objective was to remove Parti Lepep from power. Mr Aglae’s main focus, however, was not about his party’s plan to replace the current government but rather about removing Wavel Ramkalawan at the helm of the SNP. He said his party was ready to work with all the opposition leaders who contested the presidential election “but I will work with the SNP only if the party carries out a restructuring and remove Wavel Ramkalawan as its leader”.

http://seychellesweekly.com/2016/April%204,%202016/headline1_is_this_real_linyon.html

Dapre lalwa, Komisyon Eleksyon ti oblize anrezistre Linyon Sanzman

09-April-2016
Dapre lalwa eleksyon, Komisyon Eleksyon ti oblize anrezistre Linyon Sanzman parey in fer li, akoz se Msye Martin Aglae ki ti premye pour fer laplikasyon pour anrezistre sa parti politik.
Sa i menm si sa lalyans bann parti lopozisyon ki ti siport kandida Wavel Ramkalawan dan dezyenm tour eleksyon prezidansyel an Desanm, ti fer li anba sa non.
Se konseye legal Komisyon Eleksyon Samantha Aglaé ki ti donn sa klarifikasyon, apre ki lanrezistreman sa nouvo parti politik ti’n sanble anmenn serten konfizyon. Sa avoka ti pe koz avek lapres yer apremidi kot biro Komisyon Elektoral dan batiman Bibliotek Nasyonal, dan prezans tyermenn sa komisyon Hendrick Gappy.
«Biro eleksyon in bezwen aksepte sa ki’n soumet son laplikasyon avan. Vi ki Lalyans Seselwa ti reponn a tou kriter pour anrezistre en parti politik, biro Komisyon Eleksyon ti aksepte son laplikasyon,» i ti dir.
I ti azoute ki avan sa komisyon ti fer sa, i ti rod konfirmasyon avek biro Rezistrar Zeneral ki okenn lot dimoun pa ti’n anrezistre sa non, e ti osi demann konsey avek Prokirer Zeneral.
Avoka Aglae ti eksplike ki sa group ki ti premye pour servi non Linyon ti soumet zot laplikasyon menm zour, le 10 Mars 2016, atraver zot reprezantan Roger Mancienne. Me, ki zot ti fer li apremidi, konpare a Msye Aglae ki ti depoz son form bomaten. Sa i menm si i dir ki Msye Mancienne ti’n pran form laplikasyon depi an Zanvye sa lannen.
Manmzel Aglae i dir ki menm si Komisyon Eleksyon pa ti pou kapab anpes Msye Aglae anrezistre Linyon Sanzman, i ti par kourtwazi enform Msye Mancienne ki en lot group dimoun ti annan lentansyon anrezistre en parti politik anba sa non. I azoute ki avan menm ki komisyon ti’n pran en desizyon, Msye Mancienne ti fer laplikasyon pour anrezistre son parti anba en lot non, ‘Linyon 2015’. Me Komisyon Elektoral ti refiz sa «akoz sa non ti tro pre avek Linyon Sanzman e ti pou kapab anmenn serten konfizyon».
Finalman, Komisyon Eleksyon i dir ki i ti aksepte non Linyon Demokratik Seselwa ki’n depi Zedi anrezistre konman en nouvo parti politik.
Apard son tyermenn Roger Mancienne, sekreter zeneral Linyon Demokratik Seselwa i Clifford Andre e son trezorye i Roy Fonseka.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249022

Government sets priorities for next three months

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249024

Panique aux Seychelles à l’approche de l’ouragan « Démocratie » (1)
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09 avr 2016james michel, Seychelles par Christophe RIGAUD
L’archipel de l’océan indien n’est pas seulement la destination huppée des touristes occidentaux et des voyages de noces. Afrikarabia vous propose de regarder derrière son décor de plages et de cocotiers de mer, avec un grand reportage de notre envoyé spécial Jean-François Dupaquier. Premier article consacré à la violence politique aux Seychelles depuis l’indépendance.

Seychelles port copie
Le port de Victoria et en médaillon, le leader de l’opposition Wavel Ramkalawan, matraqué par la police devant l’Assemblée nationale des Seychelles © JF. Dupaquier

L’hebdomadaire Le Seychellois Hebdo titre en première page de son édition du 18 mars 2016 : « Is the victimisation axe starting to fall ? » (est-ce que la hache de la victimisation commence à tomber ? »). « Victimisation » est un terme anglais dont le créole seychellois fait un usage particulier. Il dit l’entrée de la personne dans l’ère de la sanction, de la punition, de l’exclusion. En cause ici, la démission forcée du numéro deux de la police, Godfra Hermitte, un haut fonctionnaire qui jusqu’ici en imposait. Devant la pesante propagande des médias d’Etat, les Seychellois qui bénéficient d’une connexion internet font plutôt confiance aux réseaux sociaux.

Ne pas trop en dire

Hermitte a annoncé lui-même sa mésaventure sur sa page Facebook. Son alternative était une rétrogradation comme chef de la prison Montagne Posée [la principale prison des Seychelles], ou le grand départ. Sur Facebook, le haut policier attribue vaguement son infortune à « l’administration Michel » histoire de ne pas s’en prendre trop directement à l’actuel président de la République James-Alix Michel . Ni de s’étendre sur les raisons de son limogeage. Le numéro 2 de la police est bien placé pour savoir que sa liberté d’expression est récente, et qu’il ne doit pas trop en dire. Il y a quelques années, le moindre écart de langage lui aurait coûté beaucoup plus cher.

« James Michel voit venir la fin de son système »

Après la longue dictature du président France-Albert René et de son parti unique le SPPF (« Seychelles People Progressive Front »), les Seychellois reçoivent avec une prudence teintée de crainte toute information politique inattendue. Jean-François Ferrari, 56 ans, un homme de belle prestance, nous reçoit dans son bureau qui jouxte le jardin botanique de Victoria, la capitale des Seychelles. Cet ancien journaliste, cadre du Parti National Seychellois – principal parti d’opposition -, commente l’affaire Godfra Hermitte : « A peine réélu au prix de nombreuses fraudes, le président James Michel commence à se débarrasser de tous les officiels suspectés d’avoir des liens avec l’opposition. Il voit venir la fin de son système ».

Quarante ans sans alternance politique !

Le Seychellois Hebdo tient la liste de ces « victimisés ». Premier par ordre chronologique, Timothé Sinon, chef exécutif (Chief Executive officer, CEO) de la Property Managemeng Company (PMC) un organisme d’État qui joue un rôle stratégique pour l’assise clientéliste du régime. A suivi Roselyne Houareau, patronne de l’agence de développement national humain (ANHRD), virée du jour au lendemain. « A qui le tour », demande l’hebdomadaire.

A l’origine de ce mini-tsunami dans le micro Etat des Seychelles, la laborieuse réélection de James Alix Michel le 19 décembre dernier. A Victoria, il n’y a jamais eu d’alternance politique démocratique depuis l’instauration de la République le jour de l’indépendance, le 29 juin 1976 – presque quarante ans –. Le premier président James Mancham, et avec lui la démocratie, n’ont pas fait long feu.

Londres concède l’indépendance en 1976

Plus qu’un président, Mancham était un play boy. Lorsqu’il ne se trouvait pas en visite d’Etat à l’étranger, il sillonnait les rues de Victoria dans sa Rolls décapotable en collectionneur d’aventures féminines. Les Seychelloises adoraient cet enjôleur. Il avait fondé en 1964 le Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) qui caracolait en tête des scrutins locaux concédés par Londres, et ça suffisait à sa gloire. James Mancham ne voulait pas de problèmes. Il affichait sa loyauté à la Grande Bretagne. Il avait fallu la hargne de l’avocat France-Albert René, fondateur d’un parti rival, le Seychelles People’s United Parti (SPUP), pour que James Mancham réclame l’indépendance du bout des lèvres. Londres l’avait accordée en 1976. Il était temps.

Un admirateur de Kim Il sung aux commandes

Mancham se retrouve président de la République le jour de l’indépendance octroyée par la Grande Bretagne, le 28 juin 1976.

La colonie des Seychelles devient le 36e membre du Commonwealth et Paris inscrit d’office la nouvelle République aux sommets de la Francophonie (environ 30 % des Seychellois parlent français, leg de la colonisation française achevée en 1814).

James Mancham est partageur : il confie le poste de Premier ministre à l’avocat France-Albert René. Ce dernier est également un coureur de jupons invétéré, mais surtout un ambitieux en politique. L’archipel des Seychelles semble minuscule, avec ses 62 000 habitants répartis sur 115 îles et îlots. Mais il offre des sites paradisiaques pour les touristes et dispose d’une zone maritime exclusive très poissonneuse de plus d’un million de kilomètres carrés. Pendant que James Mancham batifole, son premier ministre, complote. France-Albert René s’empare du pouvoir par la force. Le 5 juin 1977 est une date noire pour les Seychellois, un peuple convivial et légèrement indolent. Incrédules, ils voient s’instaurer une démocratie populaire sous les cocotiers de mer.

France-Albert René admire Fidel Castro, Julius Nyerere et plus que quiconque Kim Il sung, le « Grand leader » nord coréen « Professeur de l’Humanité toute entière », « Chef bien-aimé », etc. Vite, il adore plastronner parmi les leaders des pays de la « ligne de front » contre l’impérialisme. Comme Kim Il sung, France-Albert René se voit bien en « Président éternel » des Seychelles et s’en donne les moyens. Le Seychelles People’s United Parti devient parti unique. Le régime se revendique marxiste, révolutionnaire et « non-aligné ». Transports collectifs et hôtels sont nationalisés. Une « armée populaire de sécurité » est mise en place avec des experts militaires venus de la « république socialiste sœur » de Tanzanie, tandis que Cuba dépêche médecins et spécialistes en « renseignement ».

Service national de pionniers

Comme en Corée du Nord, France-Albert René instaure un « Service national » de pionniers qu’il ne manque pas de faire visiter aux chefs d’Etat de passage. «Plusieurs grandes propriétés sont confisquées, ainsi que des maisons des opposants, raconte Jean-François Ferrari. Par la suite, personne ne devait avoir plus qu’une maison – sauf bien sûr quelques amis proches. Les îles de l’archipel qui ne sont pas habitées de façon permanente se retrouvent nationalisées, tout comme les transports publics et un certain nombre d’hôtels de luxe. Toujours au nom de la lutte anticolonialiste et nationaliste. France-Albert René se voulait un modèle parmi les « libérateurs », un modèle qui lui vaudrait une place dans l’histoire. »

Les touristes sont sacrés, pas les libertés publiques…

En 1977 le tourisme explose. Grâce à l’aéroport international de Mahé (cadeau de Londres en 1971), l’archipel accueille plus de cinquante mille touristes. Les Occidentaux qui se dorent sur les plages ignorent presque tout de la réalité politique et sociale des Seychelles. Mamelle de l’Etat, le touriste est sacré. Les Tontons Macoutes de tonton René ont ordre de ne pas les ennuyer.

L’envers du décor paradisiaque, du sable interminablement ratissé et du personnel aux petits soins, ce sont des suspects arrêtés, souvent torturés, parfois victimes d’assassinats « scénarisés » ou de « disparitions », destinés à provoquer la terreur muette de la population. A sa façon, le régime copie en carton-pâte la farce démocratique qui se joue derrière le rideau de fer et la Constitution de l’Union des Républiques Socialistes Soviétique, « la plus démocratique du monde » selon Joseph Staline et ses thuriféraires.

France-Albert René visite plusieurs fois la République Populaire Démocratique de Corée et prend des notes. Promulguée en 1979, la Constitution de la désormais « République socialiste souveraine des Seychelles » (RSSS) ne limite pas le nombre de mandats du président. L’opposition durablement « victimisée », le candidat unique France Albert René est plébiscité pour un quinquennat en 1979, un autre en 1984, puis en 1989, en 1993, en 1998… Et puis encore en septembre 2001, dans le cadre d’une bizarre élection présidentielle anticipée.

Mises en garde internationales

Le premier ministre britannique met sérieusement en garde le gouvernement seychellois contre une dérive qui pourrait le conduire à l’étatisation complète de l’économie et surtout à placer l’île entre les mains de réseaux financiers mafieux. « Le président était quand même malin et pragmatique. Il a compris qu’il risquait d’aller trop loin et de se mettre définitivement à dos la communauté internationale », commente Roger Mancienne, un « opposant historique » à la dictature. On parle à ce moment-là de « vent du changement ». Certains auteurs français de guides touristiques y voient l’influence du discours de la Baule, prononcé par François Mitterrand au sommet des chefs d’État africain en juillet 1990, où il annonçait que l’aide de la France serait subordonnée à l’ouverture d’un processus de démocratisation et de fin du régime de parti unique. En réalité, le rôle de la France est faible aux Seychelles. L’archipel figure dans les zones d’influence de la Grande-Bretagne. Et bien avant François Mitterrand, les Britanniques s’étaient montrés très critiques sur la dérive autoritaire des potentats africains.

L’inoxydable binôme René/Michel

France-Albert René, tout comme son homme lige, James-Alix Michel, doit finalement tenir compte de la quasi faillite économique du régime. « Les Seychellois ne sont pas les esclaves des touristes », avait proclamé martialement France-Albert René dans une de ses improvisations lyriques. Aussitôt, c’est la grève du zèle dans les hôtels. Le tourisme bat de l’aile. Titillé par les bailleurs de fonds, France Albert René s’est donné le luxe d’annoncer le retour du multipartisme en 1991 mais les bonnes vieilles méthodes d’intimidation, de clientélisme, de débauchage et de corruption continuent de faire merveille. A chaque élection législative, l’ex-parti unique SPPF ramasse la mise.

C’est un ennemi inattendu qui a finalement raison de l’inusable admirateur de Kim Il sung . La santé déclinante du « roi René » l’oblige à démissionner le 14 avril 2004. Mais tout est prévu. La réforme constitutionnelle de juin 1993 stipule qu’après trente mois d’exercice le président peut, pour toute raison, transférer son mandat à son vice-président.

France-Albert René fait cadeau à James-Alix Michel de son mandat présidentiel

Au fil des années, le vieux potentat a fait fuir à peu près tous les hommes de valeur qui l’entouraient, à commencer par Maxime Ferrari, ministre du Plan et des relations extérieures, qui lui remit sa lettre de démission le 15 juin 1984. Ce n’est pas un hasard si France Albert René a jeté son dévolu comme vice-président sur l’opportuniste James Alix Michel. Ce dernier a participé à toutes les intrigues, tous les mauvais coups, tous les revirements du despote. Mais il a aussi appris toutes les méthodes de clientélisme et de fraude électorale qui ont accompagné le « retour au pluralisme » en 1992.

De l’époque de la dictature communisante, les Seychelles ont conservé une politique sociale apparemment très avancée : éducation gratuite, même si elle n’est pas toujours de qualité, soins de santé également gratuits. L’évolution libérale plus récente y a ajouté une solide couche de clientélisme. L’État favorise l’accession à la propriété individuelle par des prêts bonifiés de l’ordre de 5 % (les taux des prêts bancaires habituels varient entre 10 et 11 %). Il n’est pas rare que le président téléphone personnellement à un chef de famille pour le féliciter d’avoir obtenu un prêt bonifié : « Allo, c’est pour te dire que tu vas avoir ta maison. J’espère que tu es content ».

De dictateur-terreur à dictateur-corrupteur

Ces méthodes, dans un archipel où tout le monde se connaît, ne sont pas inefficaces. A la présidentielle de juillet 2006, James Alix Michel est élu dès le premier tour avec 53,7%, des suffrages contre 45,7 % pour le leader de l’opposition, Wavel Ramkalawan. Des cartes électorales ont été achetées, des personnes ont bénéficié d’allocations sociales inexplicablement majorées avant le scrutin, des consignes de vote ont été données à des militaires, etc. Des trucages qui se répéteront aux scrutions suivants avec d’autant plus d’ampleur que Wavel Ramkalawan devient de plus en plus populaire.

Roger Mancienne soupire à la litanie des pratiques transmises par France-Albert René à James-Alix Michel. À 68 ans, Mancienne est considéré comme la mémoire vivante de la vie politique seychelloise, avec un parcours emblématique des cadres politiques et intellectuels condamnés à l’exil ou à la soumission au régime. Après des études aux Etats-Unis, il obtient un poste d’enseignant à Victoria puis de cadre au ministère de l’Education. Avant l’indépendance, il milite au syndicat enseignant mais se retrouve très vite après le coup d’Etat en désaccord avec le nouveau régime. Ce qui lui vaut « seulement » un emprisonnement de cinq semaines après le coup d’état de 1977. « France-Albert René se méfiait de beaucoup de monde ».

Relâché, on lui a fait comprendre qu’il aurait intérêt à se tenir tranquille. « J’ai pensé à un certain moment à m’expatrier, comme tant d’autres. J’ai préféré rester et le harcèlement n’a pas cessé, menaces par téléphone, policiers en faction devant ma maison, surveillance à tout moment, pas de travail bien sûr, etc. ». Cela ne l’a pas empêcher d’être l’un des fondateurs du principal parti d’opposition démocratique, le SNP.

La communauté internationale passe l’éponge sur l’incurie du régime

La passation de pouvoir de France-Albert René à son homme lige James-Alix Michel n’a guère fait évoluer les pratiques du régime. En 2006, à peine « légitimé » par un scrutin aussi truqué que les précédents, Michel fait matraquer ses opposants sur les marches de l’assemblée nationale, envoyant Wavel Ramkalawan et Jean-François Ferrari à l’hôpital.

En octobre 2008, atteinte de plein fouet par la crise financière internationale, la République des Seychelles est au bord de la faillite, incapable d’assurer le service de la dette qui s’élève alors à 800 millions de dollars – soit 175 % du PIB. Elle doit dévaluer de moitié la Roupie. En outre, la crise financière mondiale fait chuter le nombre de touristes, principale source de devises du pays.

L’année suivante, le Club de Paris et la République des Seychelles conviennent d’une annulation nominale de 45 % du stock de dette en échange d’un programme d’ajustement structurel contrôlé par le Fonds monétaire international (FMI).

La ligne rouge de « l’Etat-voyou »

Aux Seychelles, le Soleil a un double effet. Tandis que les corps rosâtres noircissent sous les rayons de l’astre diurne, l’argent noir, lui, blanchit à l’ombre des banques. On doit à la presse indépendante seychelloise la révélation d’un certain nombre de scandales qui, sans elle, seraient restés inconnus. Les Seychelles ont failli devenir à la fin du régime de France-Albert René une des principales plaques tournantes mondiales du blanchiment d’argent. Il a fallu l’intervention du Fonds monétaire international et d’autres institutions mondiales pour que le régime comprenne qu’il devrait modérer les appétits des grands réseaux financiers mafieux. Sans vraiment vouloir régler le problème (nous y reviendrons). Car les Occidentaux manifestent une certaine pusillanimité à l’égard du régime ex-marxiste, dont la conversion à la démocratie est en partie de façade. Les Britanniques pratiquent le « wait and see ». Washington a obtenu l’implication des Seychelles dans le réseau de bases aériennes secrètes en Afrique des Etats-Unis. Ces bases aériennes permettent aux renseignements américains de surveiller secrètement Al-Qaida et d’autres groupuscules terroristes ou rebelles depuis 2007. Une connivence rendue plus visible en 2011, lorsqu’un drone américain s’est écrasé lors d’un atterrissage raté sur l’aéroport international de Mahé.

Le double jeu inconséquent de Paris

Du côté de l’ambassade de France, c’est le double discours habituel. A Victoria, un registre a été ouvert en solidarité avec les journalistes de Charlie exterminés en janvier 2015, mais l’ambassadeur se refuse à soutenir les journalistes seychellois harcelés par le régime.
Roger Mancienne se montre circonspect face au mépris de l’ambassadeur pour toute l’opposition politique : « Les Français croient pouvoir ramener les Seychelles dans l’espace francophone. Ils ont peut-être espéré que leur soutien à la dictature leur vaudrait ce genre de récompense. Or il s’agit d’une ambition peu réalisable. Le français a de moins en moins de place dans les écoles, même si tous ceux qui parlent créole apprennent assez facilement le français. L’anglais est le créole resteront les langues nationales les plus couramment utilisées. La langue française peut tenir son rang grâce à la culture, mais je ne la vois pas s’imposer de nouveau. »

Des Seychellois excédés

À Victoria, c’est la question sociale qui commence à agiter les esprits. Et qui explique le « tsunami politique » de décembre dernier. Pour la première fois depuis l’indépendance, le président sortant, candidat de « Lepep » (« Le peuple », en créole, dernier nom de l’ex-parti unique), est mis en ballottage au premier tour avec 47,76 % des voix. Et au second tour, réélu avec seulement 193 voix devant son adversaire Wavel Ramkalawan, chef du Parti national. Ce dernier a immédiatement demandé un recomptage des voix, puis saisi la Cour constitutionnelle sur de nombreux cas d’irrégularités dans le scrutin. Celle-ci se prononcera le 31 mai.

Les élections législatives sont prévues avant la fin 2016. Pour le quarantième anniversaire de leur indépendance, les Seychellois entrevoient enfin une alternance démocratique.



Jean-François DUPAQUIER



Prochain article : une présidentielle truquée devant la Cour constitutionnelle des Seychelles


http://afrikarabia.com/wordpress/panique-aux-seychelles-a-lapproche-de-louragan-democratie-1/

LDS pe finaliz son lalis kandida pour eleksyon Lasanble Nasyonal

13-April-2016

Linyon Demokratik Seselwa pe finaliz son lalis kandida pour prosen eleksyon Lasanble Nasyonal.
Sa trwa parti politik ki’n regroupe pour form sa linyon – Parti Nasyonal Seselwa (SNP), Lalyans Seselwa (LS), Parti Seselwa pour Lazistis Sosyal ek Demokrasi (SPSJD) – ensi ki kandida endepandan dan dernyen eleksyon prezidansyel Philippe Boulle, pe an se moman diskite pour kapab swazir meyer kandida pour sak distrik.
Se dirizan sa nouvo parti politik Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) Roger Mancienne ki ti fer sa deklarasyon letan i ti pe koz avek lapres kot biro SNP Arpent Vert yer bomaten.
Osi prezan dan sa konferans de pres ti sekreter LDS Clifford André ek son trezorye Roy Fonseka.
Nou a rapel ki sa trwa parti ki’n form LDS ti zwenn avek Msye Boullé pour ralye deryer kandida perdan Wavel Ramkalawan dan dezyenm tour eleksyon prezidansyel ki ti fer an Desanm lannen pase. Zot ti fer sa anba en lot platform apele Linyon Sanzman.
«Ler i annan kat parti ki enplike, ou ekspekte ki i kapab pran letan pour diskite e idantifye le meyer kandida ki pou reprezant nou,» Msye Mancienne ti fer resorti.
I ti kanmenm azoute ki sa parti i santi ki i pou annan ase letan pour prepar li e fer kanpanny pour eleksyon Lasanble Nasyonal ki pou fer plitar sa lannen.
Menm si i ti ankor ensiste ki Msye Martin Aglaé in anrezistre en parti politik anba sa non Linyon Sanzman pour kre konfizyon dan lespri Seselwa, Msye Mancienne i reste konfyan ki sa konfizyon pa pou aparet lo papye vote. Sa i akoz lo papye vote i annan non bann kandida e kouler osi ki senbol zot parti.
«I annan ase diferans lo papye vote pour asire ki voter i swazir son kandida ki i anvi,» i ti dir.
Sepandan, in osi dir ki sa parti pou antreprann diskisyon avek Komisyon Eleksyon pour revwar serten regilasyon ek prosesis eleksyon pour asire ki zot an konformite avek lalwa. Sa i konsern par egzanp sitiasyon Zil Persévérance konman en nouvo distrik elektoral.
LDS ti osi profit sa konferans de pres pour donn bann grann liny filozofi sa parti. Sa son bann lider i dir i par egzanp bon gouvernans avek bon travay bann minister e kontrol lo depans gouvernman, lalit kont trafik drog ek en bon servis piblik.
Msye Mancienne in osi eksprim lentansyon sa trwa parti politik ki form lalyans LDS pour vin en sel parti plitar.
In osi dir ki menm si lapartenans non Linyon Sanzman i kapab ganny konteste an kour, sa groupman parti politik ki i dirize pa pou servi sa non ankor.
«Nou’n anrezistre Linyon Demokratik Seselwa pour nou al an avan,» i ti konklir.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249058

President Michel’s 12th year in the highest office

15-April-2016
Yesterday marked the 12th anniversary of Seychelles President James A. Michel’s rise to power and he marked the occasion by spending the afternoon with the youths of Seychelles as they celebrated their academic achievements.
President Michel attended the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) graduation ceremony at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles yesterday and presented Michelle Pool with the President’s Cup.
Mr Michel first became President on April 14, 2004 after taking over the reign from his predecessor France Albert Rene. Mr Rene stepped down to hand control of Seychelles over to Mr Michel.
Mr Michel served out the remainder of Mr Rene’s term and won the Presidential elections held on July 28-30, 2006. He took 53.7% of the vote and was sworn in for his new term on August 1, 2006.
In May 2011, Mr Michel won re-election to serve the highest office, receiving 55.4% of the votes. He was sworn in for his second term of office on May 24, 2011.
Mr Michel won the second round of the presidential election on December 18, 2015 to be re-elected for a third and final five-year presidential term.
The Parti Lepep leader polled a total 31,512 or 50.15% of the popular vote to beat Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles National Party (SNP) who got 31,319 or 49.85%. The margin of victory was 193 votes.
This was the first time in the history of Seychelles that a president was elected into office after a run-off.
After none of the six candidates got the required 50 percent plus one votes that was needed for an outright majority during the first round of voting from December 3-5, a second round was needed to decide between the two highest vote getters
Mr Michel got 47.76% in the first round and Mr Ramkalawan 35.33%.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249090

Gearing up for elections
Elections for the National Assembly are due to take place before the year is over. The current national assembly was elected in 2011 and the Seychelles constitution stipulates that new polls must be held any time between July and September this year.
The Seychelles constitution makes provisions for elections between the beginning of the fifty-seventh month and at the end of the fifty-ninth month of a session of the National Assembly. Since the last assembly was sworn in on 1 October 2011, this will fall between July and September this year. However, the Constitution also makes provision for dissolution before the term is completed.
Political parties, meanwhile, are busy behind the scene, finalising details, such as the list of candidates to stand in all twenty five districts of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. There is the question of Perseverance that has not been resolved so far. In October 2011, the assembly approved a proposal to turn it into the 26th district. However, there has been no formal announcement s far on the issue from the relevant authorities.
At its 29th congress in June last year, the ruling Parti Lepep approved a list of candidates for the coming parliamentary elections for all twenty five districts. Fourteen of them were new faces. However, speculation is rife particularly on social media that the list may not have been final and definitive. It has been suggested, but as yet unproven, that the party may be considering replacing the original list of candidates with a new one consisting of what has been dubbed as “the party’s heavyweights,” a term used to define veteran politicians who are experienced and are presently occupying important positions in Seychelles and elsewhere. There are rumours that former ministers, ambassadors and even former members of parliament are being brought in to contest the election.
Meanwhile, negotiations have been taking place since the Presidential election in December amongst the leaders of the parties that make up the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) – a coalition made up of the Seychelles National Party (SNP), Lalyans Seselwa (LS) of Patrick Pillay, the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy (SPSD) led by lawyer Alexia Amesbury and the independent candidate in the last election, Philippe Boulle. There has been no word so far from the group on the outcome of the negotiations but TODAY has learned that they have agreed on their list of candidates who will be representing the union under the new political which was registered on Thursday this week.
At present, the Seychelles National Assembly consists of 32 members of which 25 are directly elected and seven are proportionally elected. However this will change to 26 directly elected members if Perseverance becomes an electoral district prior to the elections.
In the last election in 2011, the ruling Parti Lepep won all 25 districts following the decision by the main opposition party to boycott the poll. However, the leader of the Popular Democratic Movement, David Pierre managed to get a proportional seat after a lengthy court battle.

https://www.facebook.com/todayinsey/posts/982339435137200:0

Mike Chadstone‎ to One Seychelles
6 hrs ·
In exactly 44 days, the Constitutional Court will be handing down its verdict on the 2015 presidential election case. We are all prepared and happy to welcome the decision, however I just want to throw in a little spanner in the works so that we can start thinking about a few modalities that our wonderful constitution does not cater for.
In the event that the courts finds the election was not free and fair and that it null and void the results and call for new elections. I suppose this will end the current president's term and hang the government.
a. Who takes over the presidency and government during this period between the court results and the results of the new elections. (That is 90 days of campaigning according to the constitution - unless the electoral commission uses its powers to shortens the campaigning period)?
b. Who has the power to appoint the new caretaker government?
In the likely event that PL decides to appeal the court ruling, which court will listen to the appeal? (That will mean that the caretaker government will be in power for much longer than 90 days if an appeal is lodged). Will the appeals court be ruled by the same judges? (In believing that this case was heard by the highest in our judicial system) Will lower judges than our Chief Justice give a different ruling than the original highest one currently in our constitutional court case?
c. Why doesn't our constitution make provision for the handing of power from one group to another democratically? (Was that a genuine mistake made by the drafters of the constitution or was it omitted on purpose to create confusion and chaos?
Please lets debate....What are your views?

Increase in social security cheques

21-April-2016


Social security cheques have risen by 40%, that is R1,450 each month to R5,050 for all retired workers in Seychelles.
Just under 10,000 pensioners will see the bump in their cheques starting today.
Speaking to Seychelles NATION, Agency for Social Protection (ASP) chief executive Marcus Simeon said “in total just under 10,000 pensioners are benefiting from this increase of R1,450 in their benefit,” adding that “a total of 2,600 are being paid this benefit directly with the Seychelles Pension Fund lumped together with their contributory pension.”
Mr Simeon explained that the rest is being paid directly by the ASP.
As for those whose funds are transferred in their bank accounts, they have already received their increased dues since Tuesday while those being paid by cash will receive theirs today and tomorrow for districts in south and west Mahe.
President James Michel announced in his State-of-the-nation address that the social security/retirement pension would increase to R5,050 to match the minimum wage.
“This is very good news and I am very happy to receive the increase in my retirement pension,” said a 69-year-old lady Seychelles NATION spoke to.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249169

LDS proposes process for Perseverance to become an electoral area immediately

30-April-2016
Political parties of Linyon Demokratik Seselwa met representatives of the Electoral Commission yesterday to discuss the issue of declaring Perseverance an electoral area in time for the forthcoming National Assembly elections.
According to a press release from Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS), Electoral Commission chairman Hendricks Gappy and legal counsel Samantha Aglae, who represented the commission, said the meeting was to get the proposals of the parties on how this could be done in view of the time constraints imposed by the provisions of the Constitution and the Elections Act.
The release adds that the proposal to declare Perseverance an electoral area was contained in a Draft Order passed by the National Assembly in October 2015. The Draft Order needs to be approved by the President and gazetted. This has not yet been done.
Under article 116 (5) of the Constitution Perseverance will become an electoral area only at the dissolution of the present National Assembly for the next elections. The procedures for registration of voters under the Elections Act can take several weeks.
These provisions mean that they will not be registered in time to vote at the National Assembly elections.
The bloc of parties in Linyon Demokratik Seselwa has made proposals for legal amendments to overcome the present obstacles.
These are:
Article 116 (5) of the Constitution to be amended for Perseverance to become an electoral area immediately when the Order is gazetted, not waiting for the Assembly to be dissolved.
The Elections Act to be amended for residents of Perseverance to be registered based on the existing list of residents used in the 2015 elections.
The Linyon Demokratik Seselwa parties have said the legal steps to establish the electoral area can be concluded within a week, and registration of voters can be concluded in time for the Assembly elections.
What is required is for the National Assembly to be called into session to pass these amendments and for the President to approve the Order and have it published.
“The responsibility falls on James Michel to have these steps taken immediately. Not doing so will mean disenfranchising the residents of Perseverance by denying them the right to register in an electoral district in which they live and denying them the right to vote for a member of the National Assembly to represent their district,” write the release signed by Linyon Demokratik Seselwa chairman Roger Mancienne.
http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249270

Sunday, 1 May 2016

Rotten Onions LDS Inner Circle


Guys. This is not going to be an easy one. I am being asked to comment on a recording posted that I never heard. Like most people I never got to hear the recording posted, which apparently had to do with a dialogue of sorts I had with Martin Aglae.

I have 2 recording of Martin Aglae, the first from the 6th. April which was his Press Conference (and that was recorded by a number of people present) and the second on the 08th April, also at his office.
There were 3 people at the second meeting. Apart from Martin and myself there was also a certain Mr, Dave, Martin’s deputy. That second one was a dialogue mainly between Martin and myself.
Martin is an intelligent guy, which explains why he quickly made it up the ladders in quite a few different opposition parties and in such a short time. He must in a way or another have impressed the leaders of these various parties, or were they so desperate that they all had special passes to allow unvetted newcomers and unknowns into their inner circles.


http://seychellesrealitytoday.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/rotten-onions-lds-inner-circle.html

Putting an end to all this nonsense. IN THIS RECORDING YOU WILL HEAR WHO THE LAWYER THAT HELPED MARTIN AGLAE AND WHO WAS LEAKING INFORMATION TO HIM. Theres been a campaign by the rotten onion Viral Dhanjee, a SPPF spy for Albert Rene, to attempt to falsely discredit Alexia Amesbury , myself and others in SPSD, that we were behind Martin setting up the rogue party. All these lies and fabrication because “the ex Interpol wanted for kidnapping Dhanjee”, has a personal issue with Mrs Amesbury. A couple of loudmouths and fake profiles on facebook are being used to do his bidding. This meeting and recording was after Martin Aglae had unbeknownst to us had registered Linyon Sanzman . All this nonsense with Dhanjee is just creating division within the opposition and is playing right into Part lepeps hand; just like Dhanjee wants it. This is quote from Alexia Amesbury” He tried to get in with me but, for the fact that I was taking his cases I saw that he was up to no good so I "rudely" got rid of him". After I registered SPSD he told me that if I gave him around SCR 100,000 "campaign money" he would campaign for me in the North and the Party would win.” I don’t want to bore everyone with an hour of audio but these are the highlights from Martin Aglaes requested meeting with myself, Flory Larue and Andre Uzice. It was never the intention to put this out but now we have no other choice.

https://youtu.be/PmwENzYePt0

Jean N Payet La prezan zot in tande zot menm. I listen to this recording couples of times and was shock to hear the people in the room laughing instead of rebuking Aglae they are as guilty and traitor as Aglae power craving .
Mr Gapy should resign from his office because again this is a very clear example of the kind of joke that goes around in the election office e could not discern a fake party and did not even made any research he simply ASSUME all was ok.
Could it be the same kind of mistake which has cost us our clean victory on the election day? sleeping on the job and have no clue what was going on? Komplo 2016.

This situation when we look at the Panama - mega financial scandal - Fonseka and they are in the same building as the British High Commission - PM Blair, PM Brown, SFO, the CIA/FBI, Euro-pole have monitored the contents of my email box and the many across who can and have hacked my email - those from Africa, those and in Europe and elsewhere Mr Edmond you have won $10,000 millions or those with similar offer a supposed super rich have died be they in Africa or Europe we have $100 millions on a Bank account give is the detail etc and we will share with you 50/50, procurement scams and a very long list of scams - having written our role to give the world the WWW, across the world the criminal and Terrorist activities related/associated with politic and the big power involved - from that kind of setup the Police and experts have one advice report to the authorities and stay away do not reply or contact and communicate with the,. We jut trust somebody will invent something better/grander and more sophisticated this is freaking cheap. Like all the thieves who steal after others have planted you catch them and they will hurt you if they have a knife - the state of Farming and planting in that Seychelles - this is not being Racist. A spade is a spade - a crow bar is a crow bar and a hoe is a hoe. Those who will get very angry with our person - specially from Netherlands - Lord you are great /show us and the world more of your powers - our perception that we are gradually sliding into a Haiti Politic style in that Sechelles Seychelles, those Orchestrating them - - we have worked with Old man Duvalier, his son/Baby Doc and those form the French government/Masonic, intelligence Services, entities the many important impute we have made dome for Haiti including the Earthquake. There is a very great deal we are not saying with the situation in that Sechelles Seychelles. Those we have help put in power in Haiti and removed. We have not forgotten some of the posting on or Facebook that huge black female in Red with her bubs touching the ground and she is huge. We have the picture.

Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles Electoral Areas (Mahé and Praslin) Order, 2016

04-May-2016
The Office of the President has announced that Electoral Areas (Mahé and Praslin) Order, as approved by the National Assembly, has been published in the Official Gazette of Friday April 29, 2016.
In accordance with Article 116 (5) of the Constitution, the Order shall come into force upon the next dissolution of the National Assembly.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=249304

Freedom of expression stops where and when defamation begins

06-May-2016
On Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to follow the roundtable discussions which SBC hosted with Marceline Evenor as chairperson and a collection of ‘learned’ journalists and ‘selected’ local intellectuals as participants.
The whole debate was about journalists and their need for more and more and more information in order to deliver a higher level of more and more and more democratic journalism. At the end of the programme I was left wondering what I had learned from the debate.
It appears to me that we are today living in an age of ‘information abundance’ which often brings to the surface far too many people who are versed at the MNOP level without having first mastered the ABCD.
One of the unfortunate aspects of the electronic age is that we are being overburdened with a flow of information (some solicited and some not) and changing information at such a rate and speed that we are unable to properly digest what we are learning and finally end up more confused than ever before. Perhaps this is what, in the first place, brought about the saying that “Ignorance is bliss.”
As a matter of fact, against the background of my personal philosophical approach to life, I have stated that so long as I am on the running, the destination is out of mind. It is only when I stop and start thinking that I discover that for every question there could be a hundred answers, and for every answer a thousand questions.
I was amazed that the debate on the whole touched very little on the subject of ‘defamation.’ Today high level defamation, libel and sedition cases are sending signals to journalists, that writing critical journalism can cost millions of dollars or years in prison. In this way, we see countries reputed to be democratic using the subtle approach within the means of law to silence criticism. Currently there are two cases – one in Bangladesh and one in Timor-Leste – where two editors are being sued for articles they wrote about their respective Prime Ministers. Sadly, these experienced editors failed to appreciate that press freedom and freedom of expression should not be traded for ‘press irresponsibility’ and or ‘irresponsible expression of freedom.’
I am personally very much acquainted with the law of defamation and as a law student I learned that freedom of expression stops where and when defamation begins. In my career as a journalist with a legal background – I have succeeded to navigate through the pros and cons of the law of libel, slander and the whole spectrum of defamation, to find myself finally in a win-win situation.
As a matter of fact, here in Seychelles, I sued Mr F. A René for defaming me by declaring that I was responsible for the high cost of rice and finally obtained not only an apology but also a substantial sum as damages. That was in the early days of party politics in Seychelles.
Since I returned to Seychelles from exile in 1992, I have also sued and obtained substantial damages from the late Percy Ah-Mane who was the Editor of The Independent. Unfortunately, I was never able to recover a penny from Mr Ah-Mane because he pleaded bankruptcy and had no visible assets which I could run after. This appears to indicate that a bankrupt person is in a better position to defame others than somebody with visible assets and money.
My experience with the law of defamation has also seen me winning substantial damages in the United Kingdom against such newspapers like The Financial Times, The Spectator and others. I am glad and proud to say that over the years that I have been an active correspondent for Reuters, for the Associated Press and either Editor or Publisher of Seychelles Weekly, Seychelles Review and VIOAS (Voice of the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea) – I have never for once been sued for defamation.
Now to go back to the question of the urgent need for the journalists in Seychelles to have more and more information – it is ironical to think that the best selling newspaper in London for many years has been the Daily Mirror, which normally is short on information but big in sensational headlines. Thus, we see a majority of the people bypassing The Times, Daily Telegraph and other newspapers, with analytical articles and fully comprehensive editorials, to purchase their tabloid for their required daily information – this despite the fact that the United Kingdom is indeed the land of great literature and long democratic traditions.
Today in Seychelles, we are talking a lot about more and more information at a period of world history where many Nations are all too often being ruled by Sergeant Majors who took over power through military means and then promoted themselves to the rank of Field Marshal and Brigadier General before becoming President.
More important at this critical stage of world history, is for us to be concerned by the policy of misinformation and disinformation which, sadly, are becoming more and more acceptable practice within the framework of the governance of so-called democratic powers who are controlling world affairs and global governance. With such practice in place, who are we to adjudicate on the veracity and quality of any additional information we may get?
James R. Mancham

Finance, Trade and The Blue Economy Minister Jean-Paul Adam gives update on the ‘Panama Papers’

06-May-2016
Firm action against defaulters
Seychelles is exchanging information with other tax jurisdictions and an internal investigation is also ongoing since the country’s name has been linked to information contained in offshore financial services documents leaked from Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca.
Known as the 'Panama Papers' the leaked financial documents mention a number of countries around the world, including Seychelles.
In a press conference this week, Finance, Trade and The Blue Economy Minister Jean-Paul Adam said Seychelles has the right framework and is equipped to deal with the fallouts from the Mossack Fonseca allegations.
“The government has taken very seriously the concerns that have been raised, but we are reassured that our legal framework is strong enough to address these issues. Seychelles is a country that is largely compliant according to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) in terms of exchange of information for tax purposes. We are party to the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) on Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI). Through those agreements we are able to exchange tax information with all other parties to that same convention which includes over 70 countries worldwide and mostly members of the G20,” said Minister Adam.
By being largely compliant with the OECD standard and having gone through the phase 2 peer review of the OECD, Seychelles is ahead of many similar jurisdictions and as the minister pointed out “we can say with confidence that Seychelles has the legal framework to deal with these issues.”
Seychelles also has an anti-money laundering framework which is also in conformity with the best practices of the financial task force and also in conformity with the OECD best practices.
But this does not mean that “there is no action to be taken”.
“The FSA (Financial Services Authority) and the FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit) are currently doing a joint investigation in relation to the Mossack Fonseca leaks and also in relation to any other firms or corporate service providers that may have facilitated, if there were registration of companies that were not done in conformity with international best practice,” explained Minister Adam.
He noted that it is important that the FIU and FSA do undertake this investigation in a thorough manner and once they have completed it, they will report back with their findings and where necessary actions will be taken against any party or firm or cooperate service provider that has not acted in conformity with the law.
“We have the right framework and are equipped to deal with the fallouts from the Mossack Fonseca allegations. There is of course the reputational concern but it is important that we as Seychellois defend our financial service sector and where there are actions to be taken and where there are operators that are not acting in conformity we are determined to take action against those that are not operating correctly,” explained the minister.
Minister Adam said the FSA has already taken a number of offshore companies off its register for non-compliance over the last years and there is a possibility that some of these companies may appear in the leaked documents.
The offshore financial services sector contributes US $20 million yearly to the country’s economy through sale of licences but it is the lawyers and accountants who pocket the biggest chunk of the pie, and this could amount to 10 times what the government is collecting.
Seychelles' offshore financial services sector has grown over the years, from 650 international business companies in 1996 to 140,000 now. There are also about 1,000 registered trusts and over 300 foundations.
The ‘Panama Papers’ have been described as the biggest leak of private documents in history – nearly 40 years of records dating back from 1977 to 2015 featuring information about more than 210,000 companies in 21 offshore jurisdictions.
Nearly 2.6 terabytes worth of data amounting to 11.5 million files have been leaked from the database of Mossack Fonseca – one of the world’s biggest offshore law firms.

Source Seychelles Nation