‘I’m happy with steps being taken to unite Seychelles as a country’ |14 April 2014

In my view President James Michel’s ten years in power signifies some important changes and improvement on a broad range of politics and policies that seek to put society on a more equitable and egalitarian path. I am also happy to note that a necessary first step has recently been taken in relation to the process of uniting Seychelles as a country. I hope that this process continues and becomes one which is transparent and inclusive of all Seychellois.

On economic principles/policies, and in an attempt to correct the past mistakes of his own party, Mr Michel also made some difficult choices in relation to economic policies which have helped to reduce poverty to a certain extent and which may have stopped us from becoming an indebted dysfunctional economy.  

However, it has to be made clear that the putting into practice of all those changes in politics and policies has proven to be quite difficult because of a lack of proper democratic laws and institutions and to a certain extent, the lack of proper governance structure in the country. The lack of those vital components has hampered the potential progress of our nation.

Today, equity in terms of opportunities and access to resources, and equality in terms of dignity and as citizens are also areas to be explored and improved. Indeed, Mr Michel now has the task of ensuring that the principle of dignity, non-discrimination, civil and political rights and inalienable rights as human beings, are truly the basis of all of our policies and laws.

It is therefore vital that he sincerely aims for a Seychelles that truly discovers the ethical premises of justice, freedom, rights and responsibility and ensures that they are translated into real life choices, institutionally and in policy contexts, for Seychelles and for all Seychellois.

David Pierre
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly