Much missed: Elvis Dias in younger days
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By Lewis Betsy  The scandal of what is happening with the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission is an outrageous insult to the people of Seychelles. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ramkalawan referred to the TRNUC, but he never offered anything serious or concrete concerning what would happen to the victims. I had previously warned that the Commission looked doomed to fail.  Yet it must not fail. The Government must not let the victims down. The truth is that the TRNUC has become a joke for the LDS Government. They are playing politics with it and applying a delaying tactics strategy with the victims.  The time has come to say enough is enough. My case number is No 2 and I am sure by now the Government must have had an idea where mine and all the many other cases were heading. It is not that difficult. We simply want justice and compensation for all the hurt we have suffered since 1977.  Naturally, we need answers to achieve closure.  In the meantime, we are forced to wait and trauma continues to impact families. Those that decided to stay in Seychelles have also suffered, but it was their choice not to bring their cases to the TRNUC.  It appears there is a blame culture going on: We are not children of Seychelles now because we brought our cases to the TRNUC. However, the suffering goes on for all.. For some victims it is too late. They have died with no answers forthcoming. So I ask: Where are the lists and names of the perpetrators? Why is the President keeping the lists from us? Is he protecting someone? Of the few perpetrators who came to the TRNUC, only five or six of them publicly said sorry for what they had done. And that was it. I note that many other known perpetrators are out and about in town, mixing freely with the public. It has become a sick joke and we, the victims, are suffering. The fact is I believe the TRNUC has become such a shambles that no one wants to deal with it. The LDS have the power they want and are cynically running the country without a care in the world. They have no sense of responsibility or duty. The LDS government is trying to wash its hands when it comes to paying the victims – though I see that they managed to find the money to pay all the Commissioners.  Yet who set up this scenario in the first place? It was Ramkalawan and former President Danny Faure. Timing is all, of course, and there are elections next year. We’ve got to watch it, or LDS might use the victims again to get another term in office. The more you think about the issue the more it makes you sick. How on Earth are we ever going to achieve unity in Seychelles when this situation persists?
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Hope: Lewis Betsy meets President Danny Faure at State House on 16th March 2017 to discuss unity.
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With the elections hotting up, I urge every Seychellois to vote… and honour those who have suffered for us

22nd September 2020

Contender: Alain St Ange for One Seychelles
Contender: Alain St Ange for One Seychelles

By Lewis Betsy

 

Seychelles is now truly in election mode with politics the main talking point everywhere you go.

As we have both the Presidential and National Assembly elections held simultaneously, this makes it a real opportunity for the people to actually get what they want… and, more importantly, need.

I hope this means every issue will be challenged and debated.

That is why we need to make sure everything is crystal clear.

Which means we must know exactly what we are being promised.

Which means the politicians are absolutely honest in what they say.

Which means that the politicians understand that when we give them our trust, they have to deliver.

This is the time for Seychelles to reach for the greatness that we are now surely due. With the 1977 coup, with the 1993 multi-party elections, and with the power change in the SNA in 2016, our nation changed each time.

That is why the elections this October can make the life of every Seychellois better by offering greater fairness and opportunity.

As for the candidates, I think most people know where they stand.

Contenders: Wavel Ramkalawan and Ahmed Afif  for Linyon Demokratik Seselwa
Contenders: Wavel Ramkalawan and Ahmed Afif for Linyon Demokratik Seselwa

Wavel Ramkalawan is going for his sixth attempt at the presidency, with Ahmed Afif as his running mate under the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa banner.

The “newcomer” on the block is the experienced politician Alain St Ange with his deputy Peter Sinon for One Seychelles.

They will take on the sitting President Danny Faure and his running mate Maurice Loustau-Lalanne for United Seychelles.

Faure inherited the Presidency “pas baton” from James Michel in 2016. Can he triumph and take the role through his own efforts this time?

Certainly this election will be unlike all others.

One contender who could have given it a different slant ridiculously fell at the first hurdle. 

Patrick Pillay, leader of Lalyans Seselwa, a former Speaker of the SNA and ex-Government minister, presented his papers at the last minute, but had his nomination rejected because “he did not meet the necessary legal requirements”.

How could such an veteran hand commit such a schoolboy error?

For all the campaigning and noise this man has made in the past it is a career tragedy.

It is also a genuine shock to those among us who thought he could present a serious challenge.

I gather he is still going to take the Electoral Commission to court, but whatever happens it is a reminder that behind all the shouting and campaigning, first you have to make sure your paperwork is in order.

I also noted that as enthusiastic crowds, supporting the US and LDS candidates, made their presence felt at the nomination, the three candidates spoke of the need for all Seychellois to be respected and appreciated. 

They clearly understood that the track record of some supporters has not been a civilised one.

Seychelles Life will be watching these developments very closely.

I had thought another outcome was possible, but with all speculation about a Third Force now gone, it makes Wavel Ramkalawan the clear favourite.

Contenders: Danny Faure and  Maurice Loustau-Lalanne for United Seychelles
Contenders: Danny Faure and Maurice Loustau-Lalanne for United Seychelles

I predict Danny Faure will be runner-up, leaving Alain St Ange to come out third.

However, the National Assembly elections will be a different ball game altogether and it is still early days to predict the outcome.

Seychelles has been through so much in the last 42 years under the SPPF, PL and now US. The results have been dreadful, for the people and the country.

I think the people of Seychelles have got a chance to reverse this mode and move our nation in a different direction.

There is one crucial thing that bothers me, though and I cannot stress it enough: It is vital that everyone votes, whatever their political persuasion. 

Democracy is difficult. In Seychelles, family, friends and colleagues have suffered and many died to ensure we have that right.

It is our moral duty to honour their sacrifices and in so doing make our country great again. 

I urge all my fellow Seychellois: Do not waste this priceless opportunity.

Lewis Betsy, Publisher, Seychelles Life
Lewis Betsy, Publisher, Seychelles Life

Latest News

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