We remember with pride the heroism and sacrifice of Gerard Hoarau
By Lewis Betsy
The anniversary of the murder of my friend the freedom fighter Gerard Hoarau will fall on 29th November.
It is said that time can heal a hurt, but after 39 years I still feel a terrible sense of loss and injustice.
Gerard was shot dead outside his home in Edgware, North London, in 1985.
It was a political assassination. Gerard, a peaceful man who believed in democracy and liberty, was leading the anti-Government group Mouvement Pour la Resistance in exile.
A gunman put 34 bullets into his back at short range.
Yet four decades on, no one has been convicted of this cowardly crime. The killer remains loose.
We continue to honour Gerard because he inspired so many with his good ethics. He worked tirelessly with passion, showing courage, commitment and dedication.
Importantly, he advocated the truth.
Gerard’s love for his beloved Seychelles was immense and he pledged to restore freedom and real democracy to the people of our islands.
He was a unique gift sent from God to lead his people. I, for one, was inspired and will always love our beautiful Seychelles.
It is gratifying that at long last, greater recognition has been given to Gerard’s achievements and his heroism.
President Wavel Ramkalawan has spoken warmly of him. He said too that many Seychellois had been inspired by Gerard’s example.
With my wife Julie, I visited Gerard’s grave in the UK earlier this year and now we are in Seychelles we will proudly pay tribute to him again on the anniversary of his death.
There will be a Memorial Service at 10.30am on Saturday 7th December, at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral, Victoria. That date is Gerard’s birthday. He would have been 74.
We also honour all the heroes and freedom fighters who died in the struggle for freedom and democracy as well as those whose lives were blighted by the actions of the Rene regime and who suffered imprisonment and exile.
We remember them in all our prayers and know someday that we shall overcome.
They include:
- Hasan Ali Umarji
- Simon Denousse
- Mike Asher
- Michel Hoffman
- Franco Piovani
- Tony Elizabeth
- Jill Carpin
- Davidson Chang-Him
- Pat de Silva
- Alton Ah-Time
- Gilbert Morgan
- Jack Payet
- Evans Hoareau
- Mervin Asba
- Francis Monchouguy
- Claude Monaie
- Damandra Eulantin
- Andrew Pouponneau
- Ryan Lesperance
- Jean Guillaume
- Edmond (Eddy) Camille who also dedicated so much of his time and energy to the SNM
- Bernard Verlaque
- Owen Hoarau