Seychelles Democracy Goes Into Over Drive!

On October 16th, 2016, James Michel resigned as President of Republic of Seychelles, after just being elected by 183 votes in a highly controversial election campaign, which faced judicial review of the Courts of Seychelles. Many concluded, it was the Constitutional Court of three Justices that gave Mr. Michel his mandate, not the People. No time to count hairs, a victory is a victory. A mandate however you slice it, is a mandate.

Enter President Danny Faure
As James Michel stepped aside to allow a younger, more energetic, Vice President to deal with the harangue mess left behind, Seychelles met a key moment with history. President Faure inherited a National Assembly whose majority control was in the hands of the Opposition LDS. His break away Minister Patrick Pillay, along with Simon De Commarmond, Noelie Alexander and others, had dealt a decisive blow to James a Michel politically. Losing control of the National Assembly, is political meltdown for a Executive Branch. As Danny Faure was asked by James Michel to go see what he can do with IMF to sort out our national bankruptcy, he now faced political bankruptcy and he turned to Danny Faure to navigate through the mess.

Danny Faure Man of The Hour

Faure left nothing to doubt and he left no stone unturned to refocus the Nation, on genuine unity, genuine Nation building. In his initiation all speech, he challenged his own parties style, of defiance, and made a first ever, Public Apology to The Nation for any wrong, any victimization his party may have caused along the way. The position was a stark contrast to James Michel last speech: " regrets.......I have none", my favorite song: " I Did It My Way".  In a phrase, Michel's posture is perhaps been his worse enemy all along. With arrogance of that level, who can be blame for exposing Michel on digital media, to the point, his confidant Lise Bastienne said: " .......they assassinated his character on Facebook". Facebook can work that way only if there is material.

No doubt, the apology was a historical step. President Faure went further to shore up the bleeding in his party, and perhaps the Nation. Politically, a very astute person, since when he was very young, President Faure made his own appeal for genuine National Reconciliation. We must let it out he said. The country must deal with victimization, and we must cry if we must, but we must also move on as a country, and as one people. ( The words are of course the easy part. The challenge comes in the walk).

In any case, Faure was the man of the hour, as he appealed for a new way forward. While his appeal is cast in circumstance of internal implosion, Le Pep could not have a better man in its ICU room. While Patrick Pillay, Speaker of the National Assembly attended the transfer of power ceremony as any dignified Public Servant should, Wavel Ramkalawan, Leader of Opposition was absent. He was waiting in Absentia to become President, and then at that ceremony, he would wish that President Danny Faure will demonstrate Savoir Vivre culture, decency, so attend.

Faure Meets and Addresses The National Assembly
President Faure did a meet and greet of the National Assembly, invoked provisions of the Constitution to deliver a speech before parliament to spread his message of Unity, National Reconciliation, and the need to work together. While the casting of the times required such a move, it could not have come from a better person to do it, for Le Pep and yes, for the LDS Opposition. Can you imagine Joel Morgan being given this task? He would never bother to even take your phone call.

President Faure was no fool to invoke this section of the constitution. In attendance, he invited the Seychelles Inter Faith Committee to attend his address. If Ramkalawan resorts to bullying, which is his nature and with a majority in parliament, it is easy to bully, the Inter Faith Committee will be there to remind Father Ramkalwan, that he is a Priest, and he must walk in Jesus foot steps, not John Holmes.

As can be entrusted, Speaker Pillay was there, to keep order, keep everyone on the path of national unity and focus on what is right for our people and our country.

Seeds For Unity Sowed

The seeds of unity have been sowed by President Danny Faure. Given our history, given our circumstance, it is indeed a monumental effort and ambition. The soil will be turned in the National Assembly, we should welcome this. Turned soil allows for oxygen to reach roots, and make plants stronger. There will be dry seasons, there will be rainy seasons. The seeds will become plants. From plants we will bear fruit of what really has been sown.

For today, we must embrace each other, one and all, for we are Seychellois, and on this path of National unity, the President has spoken, we all must now adjust our dance steps to his, or face the Inter Faith Committee for trespass of the will of God that we should live in Peace.

Honorable Mentions For The Week

Flory Larue- gave a serious challenge to President Faure. Remove. Zomn Lib from town and drop the name Revolution Avenue

Wavel Woodcock- Highlight the plight of a Praslin under the oppression of two large companies.

Bernard George's- told Le Pep LDS wants power , wants State House. ( Some things in life, are better left unmentioned). Faure will probably PARDON him and get more political mileage out of it.

Trust me folks, it's better to work together, then to fight together. Please lead by example, the Nation is watching you.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellios!