U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Seychelles

The United States welcomes the Government of Seychelles to the UPR Working Group.

We note the recent presidential election, which led to an historic runoff, and welcomed the participation of both international and local election observers.  Nevertheless, we are concerned by reports that some opposition candidates were not able to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and association in the lead-up to the election.

We commend the Constitutional Court’s decision to strike down the Public Order Act as unconstitutional, thereby better protecting and promoting the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

We remain concerned about the ongoing problem of domestic violence despite laws that specify that rape, spousal rape, and domestic abuse are criminal offenses punishable by a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.

We recommend that the Government of Seychelles:

1. Fully investigate alleged election irregularities and ensure proper due process is followed in all court challenges.

2. Take measures to ensure that existing laws criminalizing rape and domestic violence are fully enforced, and cases are fully investigated and prosecuted consistent with these laws.

3.  Enforce Seychelles’ international human rights obligations and constitutional guarantees regarding the rights to freedom of religion, association and expression.

(end statement)

Source:https://geneva.usmission.gov/2016/01/26/u-s-statement-at-the-universal-periodic-review-of-seychelles/#.VqipUISePs5.mailto

Praslin Voices Out On Monopolies!

A meeting notice published in Seychelles Nation called on all boat owners to meet with top officials of the Government of Seychelles on Saturday. The meeting schedule for one hour, dragged on for Four (4) hours and debate serious extensive and addressed the key issue of MONOPOLISTIC PRACTICE in the Seychelles Tourism Industry on Praslin which is adversely affecting boat charters.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Alain De Commarmond of Ministry of Environment, Present were Mr. Patrick Andre principal Secretary for Land Transport, Mr. Flavien Joubert, Director of National Parks, Mr. Denousse from Ministry of Tourism, Annarita Hoarau from Seychelles Licensing Authority.

On the agenda was issues relating to Cruise Ship business, lack of meaningful participation of small businesses. All the business is controlled by Hunt Deltel, DMC who in turn feed cruise ship guests onto their own buses, cart them to their hotels for lunch, pack them up on their own boats for excursions. At times 300 guests are moved this way in a day, sometimes 700, leaving local businesses un touched not benefitting from the business Cruise Ships bring to Seychelles.

One boat charter operator said Praslin and La Digue were becoming a two company island.

Access To Islands

Boat operators expressed deep concern over Lack of access to the inner islands. The islands named specifically were1. Sisters Islands, 2. Felicite Island, 3. Fregate Anse Victoria.
Present was Christopher Gill who said that if access cannot be guaranteed by the owners of the islands, GOS must seriously consider using the Land Acquisition Act to acquire a reasonable demarcated area on these islands to give access to the Public. The Public, and Seychellois can no longer live in Seychelles as Second Class Citizens.

" Palau For Palauans" Not Seychelles Under Michel!

Another boat charter highlighted that the President of Palau has been successful with keeping business for his people. He has said: " Palau For Palauans" - " Islands For Islanders" . In Seychelles we need to do use same. This includes the boat charter business and dive centers.

One operator with a Master Diver Qualification, Mr, Nigel Hoarau, ex SDPF, ex head of national parks Praslin, said he has struggle for not less then Six (6) years for a license to provide dive a board for visitors. Numerous other Foreigner or Fabrike owned boats do the same. His request until now has been denied. A disgrace. It was pointed out that not a single dive center in Côte Dor is owned by a bona Fide Seychellois. All are owned by Fabrikes who obtained passports by ways and means only Mr. Focktave knows.

Limit Paxs / Crew

Boat operators said given the numerous reoccurring incidents of death , bodily harm on large catamarans, there is a urgent need by government to limit the number of pax per boat based on a crew to guest ratio of 1:5. This must be implemented urgently to insure safety in excursions, and curb abuse of market position by DMC.
It is noteworthy that not a single DMC was present for this meeting. But they were represented by the SHTA By Nathalie Dubission, a paid representative of SHTA. No other executive member was present.

Seychelles Faces Limbo

The recent Second Round Election results and the after math reactions of Wavel Ramkalawan have sent Seychelles into a state of LIMBO. LIMBO in its literal meaning comes from Catholic a Catholic Church Doctrine that describes a dead persons position which is neither heaven or hell, but on the edge of Hell. Read on.

Not Free, Fair, Credible Yet

The biggest contribution to this Limbo status is the lack of Local Observer group credibility stamp of approval and the same for International Observers like SADC and the Commonwealth. After Thirty (30) days, we are still waiting. However, be that as it may, the SADC Observers told us:" the destiny of the people of Seychelles rests with them only".

Petitions Filed

Within the Fourteen (14) day deadline, Wavel Ramkalawan as the Presidential candidate from the opposition filed three cases before the courts. Paper work, paper work. The Chief Justice Mathilda Twomey immediately announced, these cases will be given precedence, given their national importance ( fair enough) and they may take more then Three (3) months to hear. That is a long time. Given the national importance, why did they not change the schedule of the court to run until 7:30 pmeach day, and Saturday?

This matter will drag out, in use meantime, James Michel will become more and more inverted as he awaits his AAA rating from the Courts and of course, those silent international observers, waiting on the courts. Which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Good question.

Protest SBC
Ramkalawan took the protest to SBC while the Petitions were pending. He detoured the road to State House. Now SBC has a letter from him, which it must deliberate. In the meantime, it is business as usual for SBC. It seems, they too are in LIMBO.

Economy Facing Bad Start
2016 economy in Seychelles is off to a poor start. The lack of snow in Europe, has made our key market a competitor. Travelers are either staying home this January- February or heading to cheap, cheap Vietnam and Thailand, destinations we cannot even dream of competing against.
Pressure on our economy will start to surface by the end of the first quarter, while each night everyone reflects, who will be running the country next year this time.

A Tiny Nation Divided

The irony of the Seychelles LIMBO, is we are in fact near to the edge of hell, not because of the elections, but perhaps because of our attitude. While the country is badly and sorely divided in half, neither side can run the country on its own. But neither side is willing to accept this, and each side is foolishly digging in and drawing the margino lines. This posture will bring chaos to Seychelles.

Direct Cause and Effect

We are already losing a potential wave of Investors who have said, Seychelles is too high risk, given the political " LIMBO" she faces. With the lost of FDI, Liquidity in our system will persist, as already warned to be a problem by the World Bank. Central Bank will continue to issues bonds to raise Reserves. As repayment is due, it will remain as difficult to service External Debt as ever.  The Governor is playing Hocus Pocus with our Reserves. A bit of a Ponzi Scheme, she may end up being referred to as the Bernie Maddox of the Indian Ocean if she does not seriously sort her mess out. The pile is building up every day. Quote the World Bank, not me.

Dialogue Or Perish in Limbo

When an entire country is dragged into LIMBO you have problems.
There is no greater calling today, then to demonstrate maturity and seriousness in all affairs that concern our economy, under threat , and our politics, in bottleneck.
All parties must demonstrate sufficient maturity to dialogue. They must all find a way, and commit to dialogue. All sides must turn a page and start a new chapter for the betterment of Seychelles.
Put Seychelles First, and raise Sesel Pou Seselwa to new heights you never thought was possible!

......add a word to your dictionary you thought never existed: " Compromise".

Remember all parties, our Nation is not your personal living room, it is our home.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!!

The SBC Protest

The Union For Change organized a protest to SBC to protest the work of the journalist of the State Media controlled 100 % by no other then James Alix Michel. We have all seen the manifestation of controls over the years. As the second round elections got underway, the control by Michel became more obvious to the point that even a moron would be offended.
Many were.

Protest A Success In Numbers
The protest was a grand success in numbers. It was a delight to see Pat Pillay on the front lines, the true leader of the momentum and energy against Michel in Union. Ramkalawan delivered his letter as Defacto President- Leader. But his momentum is on credit from Pillay. Boulle was there slugging up Hermitage. On arrival at SBC PL ordered the gates closed. The protestors stood at the gates the rain held up. The journalist stood at SBC offices looking on. Some made it to the other side earlier to join the protest. Others did not.

Michel Can Claim Success
While James Michel does control SBC through a puppet Board and Puppet CEO, he can claim success for the protest by Union For Change. Give credit where credit is due. Bravo James Michel! The protest was peaceful from your side. You did not shoot or tear gas anyone. You did not order any one of your thugs to beat up on the protestors. No one was bludgeon with rubber bullets or tear gas. For this you can rightfully claim success for the Protest as Commander in Chief Pro Tempo Magnus- Non Credito.

SBC VS Protestors
I am surprise the leaders of Union for change do not see the journalist at SBC as themselves, perhaps  these journalist are worse off, we must pity them.

Under Communism, these journalist are perhaps the most controlled government employees in the country. Their pick up,from home is controlled. Their tea break is controlled. Their lunch is delivered in boxes daily. They are dropped off from work at odd hours. Picked up the next day. They are under paid. But given public housing allocation on rental basis only. They do not own land in their own country. Most do not own even a car . They have no fat cat pension for life. In a word, they live the existence of modern day slaves.

They in turn control the propaganda machine of James Michel. The journalist are like slaves. Ironically the protestors call upon slaves to implement more freedom of speech.

Ironically, Ramkalawan delivers a letter calling for more Freedom of Speech. Yet this is the same Ramkalawan that sued me over my Free Speech for SCR. 1,000,000.00. This is a disgrace in itself. He secured a SRC 200,000.00 judgment from a Fabrike Judge who thinks clergy in Seychelles do not have sex, and do not drink alcohol, and do not lie. We Seychellois know better.
Ramkalawan has no credibility to write to SBC when he himself does not tolerate alternate opposing views. What makes him better then Michel on this subject? He knows Pat Pillay and Philip Boulle, that is about it.

Wrong Battle Ground

A protest at SBC and a letter as if SBC can do something about what they report. They cannot. They are under orders. SBC will not fall as the Union leaders foolishly believe. It will dig in. Then the protest will have to back to SBC over, again and again. Michel will not fall as SBC falls. This is la la land. Wake up guys, you are overcome with euphoria of Facebook. Get real.

Why?
Because Ramkalawan wrote the wrong letter , and he went to the wrong gate.

Why?

God only knows!

At the gates of Heaven St. Peter will ask Ramkalawan: " Wavel, why did you go to the wrong gate?" Answer: Once you've seen a gate, you've seen them all. St. Peter then tosses the keys to the gates of Heaven- attached with the keys to the gates of State House of course beyond the steps of Heaven.

I rest my case.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Seychelles Supreme Court Quashes Praslin Land Use Plan

The dubious Baie St. Anne Land Use Plan passed they the National Assembly Three (3) years ago, has been Quashed in full by the Chief Justice of Seychelles Supreme Court Honorable Justice Mathilda Twomey in a landmark case Talma Vs. Minister of Land Use Planning ( Christian Lionnet).

The case held all Praslin landowners  waiting with baited breath for Two years since the Baie St. Anne Land Use Plan reduced vast properties to nothing but " Reserves" on private lands without Fair and Just Compensation by the Government of Seychelles numerous opponents to the government like the Gill Family, Verlaque Family, Talma Family , Lesperance family suffered.

In material part, the  Supreme Court in so far as all land use plans are concerned including Mahe , Praslin, La Digue, ruled across the Board-

1. All decisions relating to property rights under Article 26 of the Constitution of Seychelles at the administrative level must be: 1. Legal, 2. Reasonable, 3. Fair, 4. Rational, 5. Proportionate in decision, implementation, execution.

This means the MLUH cannot legally restrict use of property held by private persons unless these conditions have been met in full. Clearly this has not been the case with the Praslin Land Use Plan, going over the details is not imperative at this time.

Suffice to say, this Judgment now opens the door to a tumultuous amount of potential suits if the Minister of Lands does not respect the judgment of the Supreme Court of Seychelles. Property owners are now free to claim damages over the restrictions endured for Three (3) years.
2. The Supreme Court highlighted that Subsidiary  legislation that restrict constitutionally protected Property Rights, must be drafted with strict controls to not overstep on the property rights protected by the Constitution of Seychelles.

3. While Notice in the  gazette of the Praslin land Use Plan was published, the court found that no plan was ever made available to the Public for inspection.

The Judge said( she) : "has the distinct impression that the creation of the Plan was not in Good Faith and in the National Interest but rather by stealth and other motives."

"I am left with no doubt after reviewing the administrative files with the knowledge that not all the files were submitted to the Court ( by MLUH) after being so ordered. The court cases linked to this review (reveal) the Minister has indeed been unreasonable in his decisions."

4. Judge held that density restrictions were so arbitrary and prejudicial she said: " without a shadow of a doubt, the decision on density is not only arbitrary,but also preposterous" .

To properly make her point, Justice Twomey cites Justice Diplock's ruling on a similar case saying:

" So outrageous in its defiance of logic, or accepted moral standards, that no sensible person who had applied his mind, to the question could have arrived at this conclusion." ( Emphasis Provided)

Hence Justice Twomey concludes: the Ministers perusal of density requirements, the Land Use Plan was neither legal, Reasonable, Fair,Rational, or Proportionate.

5. Chief Justice orders the Praslin Land Use Plan  quashed and orders the MLUH to return back to the 1997 Land Use Policies in place, to approve development plans on Praslin, and all of Seychelles.

50 Meter Club Formed

Congratulations to the formation of the 50 Meter Club, baptized with 8 Bottles of Laurent Perrier on the day of this solemn judgment. Justice Twomey has removed the shackles off our feet and hands. Now, it is up to Minister of Lands to get back on track, make amends with the Public to serve them, not financially imprison them for motives the Chief Justice openly suspects is the driving force behind such ridiculous policies.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!i

May God Bless All Freedom loving Seychellois !

Twomey I Kosto!

Chief Justice Mathilda Twomey who is known to have her ears to the ground, reknowned for her courage and frankness has announced to the Seychelles public, her job is to administer Justice in the courts and she dismisses the threats, text of the Public to attempt to influence the outcome of cases....all cases, before the Courts.
Having work with Mathilda over the Constitution of the 3 rd Republic, I can assure you the Seychelles Public, Mathilda means business. Anyone who slanders her, does so at the risk of being proven wrong.
Her character is principled, steadfast, no nonsense. Her legal ability is on par with the best.

Seychelles can sleep well at night knowing Mathilda administers Justice in Paradise.

Mr. Michel was wise to appoint her, perhaps too wise for his own good; the appointment is for life, unlike the office of the President- which has term limits and subject to term elections that are Free, Fair, Credible.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom loving Seychellois!

The Time.....Was Stolen! - Seychelles Presidential Elections 2015

The SNP led by Wavel Ramkalawan ran in the Second Round run off Presidential Elections last month under the slogan: " The Time Is now".  At the count of the votes and declaration of the winner, Mr. James Michel, from ruling party PL. " The Time ......Was Stolen" according to Mr. Ramkalawan.

Time is the Most Precious Resource In The World

Time is the most precious resource in the World. More valuable then Gold, when you have it- it is sweeter then  honey , when you do not have it, it taste as bitter as vinegar to the tongue.

At the interim between time, flustered optimism can allow you think you have more time then you really do. I leave this point to self assessment of those who cannot take critique.

Thank You Mr. Gappy Great Job In Second Round"

The most appalling statement from Mr. Ramkalawan came after the announcement of the results of the Second Round. The statement was a gross abuse of our time, over 38 years under SPPF one party state, 22 years under SPPF PL since 1992. Mr. Ramkalawan said:" I would like to thank Mr. Gappy and his team for a job well done". Then he said: " this election was stolen", a blatant overt contradiction of what he had just said in what otherwise could have been a speech to move mountains. It moved nothing! If anything, it pleased the ears of PL as they held on with baited breath hoping Mr. Ramkalawan would not mention the fiasco at Anse Aux pins, and call on  Mr. Gappy to withdraw these results, do a recount at Anse Aux Pins and explain what happen there to the Public. He did not say a single word.

Perhaps this explains why the pulpits at Church this Sunday are empty and the Fidel are revolted and dejected. We are dejected! The People of Israel spent 40 years in the Dessert. How long are we Seychellois People to spend. What crime have committed to be condemned to such injustice. Is because we are simple fools or idiots? Are we too coward to embrace the challenges of Change. When we say " The Time Is Now" what does this mean?

The Oath, The Oath , The Oath

We all know as Mr. Michel reschedule the Oath from Monday to Sunday, Mr. Ramkalawan opted for a dejected rally at Fun Park , Anse Royale instead of a direct move to State House Avenue to protest what he refers to as " theft of the election of the Presidents Office". The argument is as follows why he did not move to state House Avenue: " Mr. Michel would have ordered the shooting and killing of his supporters".

This panic argument does not hold much water. Why? Here is why. Mr. Michel had just been crowned President in the morning, by Gappy. Mr. Ramkalawan had congratulated Mr. Gappy. There is no reason whatsoever for Mr. Michel to kill anyone at that point. He had recharged all his credibility to get through the week and organize at least the up coming holiday, to carry him into January since the first Observer Reports will take at least 45 days. Journalist left Seychelles without a story because Mr. Ramkalawan did not give them the story. Two from UK had enough time to visit me on Praslin to get the inside track on what the hell was going on Paradise.

Secondly, the time to move in protest was December 7 , 2015. This was the time. The Time was Now then, to take from Mr.  Ramkalawans slogan. This was it! Why? The entire international press corps was in Seychelles. Cameras would have followed Mr. Ramkalawan to State House. He had the attention of the world on  December 7, 2015- he blew it!

Thirdly, at that time, all the International Observers were still in Seychelles. James Michel would not dare touch a soul on this day. Ramkalawan blew it! Instead he went to  Fun Park yelled a little, his hair got a little more white, he got a little more frustrated, and he started to talk about Petitions and the National Assembly elections!

There you have it. Now you know why " The Time.......was Stolen" ! Let's stop bull shitting each other all of us and let's get serious about Nation building and restoring hope in the hearts and minds of our broken and dejected people.

We need God to place his healing hands over our broken and divided nation. We are divided into two. Which side you belong to no longer matters, how can we bridge the divide and bring our people together in reconciliation, not political hype is where we must focus .

When I say this, I am appealing to PL and Mr. Ramkalawan and company to find common ground, dialogue, bring the country together, find a way. Because neither PL or SNP can run Seychelles any longer on their own. I know that, you know that. Those who do not know this need to intellectually be honest with themselves.

Those Who Suffer- I know How It Feels!

Those who suffer must be heard. They must heal. Pl and SNP must not be so cruel to tie healing with change of regime as a precondition. We need to hear from the victims families. We need to hear from the killers, we need to hear everyone. Start the process of healing before the country breaks in two pieces, then twenty pieces. Too many suffer in silence in this country.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

Christopher Gill

Happy New Year All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

While Union For Change was filing its petition for recount of ballots, third round, etc.... Pl was busy in the first week of the year campaigning for the National Assembly elections in Six (6) months.

Strategy: Consolidate

PL does not yet have any report saying the Presidential
elections of 2015 were " Free, Fair, Credible". They know they will very likely
not ever get this stamp of approval either from SADC, the Commonwealth, or CDW the local observer group. PL will implement pragmatic approach which Ramkalawan is not even thinking of: 1. Run the clock, 2 delay the Court rulings/ appeal to death,3. Push National Assembly Elections with a President in waiting from the opposition, doing just that: wait!

Presidential Oath Blunder

Michel schedule in clandestine fashion,the Presidential oath ceremony at State House for Sunday, after election night, after Church.
Ramkalawan who claims the election of Michel is illegal, and knew the Oath was being taken at State House, organized a huge rally at Anse Royale Fun Park 16 kilometers away from where Michel was stealing the office of the President of Seychelles according to Mr. Ramkalawan.

Who in the World will come so close to a election victory, claim fraud and theft, then follow that up with a motorcade going in the opposite direction, to " Fun Park" Anse Royale? Answer: Wavel Ramkalawan.

Any other leader worth his weight in salt, I say salt, would line up his cadre of supporters before the gates of State House and deal with the matter.

Strategy: Lose By Court Process

Mr. Ramkalawan has added the strategy of filing Petitions before the court. We can all decide for ourselves how that will finish.
What Judge will dare unseat a sitting President? At the Supreme Court, no one; before the Constitutional court, maybe, maybe not. on Appeal? Forget about it.
The practical matter of it all is this: any judge that rules against a sitting resident in AFRICA on a case like this, usually ends up floating in a river, or hanging from a tree in the jungle. Ramkalawan condemns his supporters to now lose by Court process very likely. Don't get me wrong, I personally believe a Third Round should be agreed by both sides to settle the matter amicably. Michel would be a hero to agree to it.

Seychelles On Hell's Edge

We are on Hell's edge. The election results has made our social and economic future uncertain at best. The country now risk losing its democratic credentials after 20 years of effort from a failed generation of PL who were reluctant to adapt to change, and a failed opposition run mostly by Ramkalawan who professed division in the opposition, and deal making and breaking as a Modus Operandi to simply accomplish an mediocre opposition culture, to the pleasure of PL of course.
Business in 2016 will be tough. Politicians will adapt populist positions that are unsustainable and unrealistic to garner votes, at the expense of a recovering economy. The business community will pay the bill over the next three years. All follies have as price. This political folly will not be an exception, already, Minister of Finance says there is not enough money for the 13 month salary for 11 months work, since one months salary already goes to holiday pay, and mighty SEPEC use to ripping us off is giving its workers 14 month salary for 11 months work.

Where will all this hype end......in another national bankruptcy?

Seychellois prepare for the worse.......again!

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom loving Seychellois!