Seychelles Weekly

Michel announces new cabinet -- 3 new ministers and 3 new ambassadors -- a new Police Commissioner --Some top officials shuffled around -- PUC, SMB, SEnPA and SIM get new heads -- Michel is preparing to set up a new National Economic Council --August 10: New cabinet sworn in --

Will the SPPF ever know the meaning of Free and Fair?

Sir,

Do permit me some space in your esteemed newspaper to express my views on the Presidential Elections. read more

A government of the People – for the People – by the People of Seychelles

CEFRAD shares the pride of this nation following another peaceful and orderly election process. But as a movement for the promotion of respect for human dignity and freedoms, this NGO is somewhat perturbed by many instances where human dignity has been disregarded prior to election and on polling day. read more

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN?

The election result is known; democracy demands that we respect the people’s choice. James Alix Michel has already been sworn in as the new head of state along with Joseph Belmont as the vice-president. They will conduct the business of this country for another five years. This mandate has been won on the promise that they will treat everyone of us fairly and equally without favour or ill-will. read more

HOW THE SPPF WON?

It was always going to be difficult for the opposition considering what the ruling party had put in place during the last twenty-nine years of authoritarian rule. The very first weapon in their arsenal is none other than the District Administrator (DA), a full time employee of the Ministry of Local Government paid for by the taxpayers working as a full time activist for the ruling party. After fifteen years of multi-party politics the fusion of the party and the state is as strong as ever before. read more

James Michel claimed, after his electoral victory, that he won against combined but formidable adversaries. This is the standard hyperbole and rhetoric he is good at. Everyone knows that he was the formidable one, living not just no stone unturned, but also scruples – political or otherwise in his bid for power. 29 years ago he used an AK 47 in the dead of night. read more

After an election campaign lasting well over two years with unlimited funds, manpower and patronage of the state on his side, James Alix Michel barely scraped through with enough votes to become President of Seychelles under the current constitution. But, as the third President of the Third Republic, Michel inherits a

Seychelles

that was once a prosperous and viable economic entity but which, after 29 years of socialism, is now in serious decline despite the veneer of prosperity. read more

Commentary

Will Michel Live up to his Words?

During the Presidential Election that took place on the 28th, 29th and 30th of July 2006 in Seychelles, the ruling SPPF Party led by President James A. Michel edged the DP/SNP Alliance into first place with a score of 53.73%. The SPPF may have clung on to power yet again, but all indications are that Michel’s ‘victory’ may not have been a victory for the Seychelles. read more