En Moman Avek Prezidan - ‘I trust the people’s intelligence to make the right choice for our country’ |18 May 2015

President James Michel has said he trusts the intelligence of the people to make the right and good choice of leaders and politics for our country if they want peace and stability which are essential for continued economic development, growth and prosperity to prevail.

Speaking on Seychelles Broadcasting Television (SBC) TV in the En Moman Avek Prezidan interview last night, President Michel was referring to the recent political development whereby more new political parties have entered the political scene.

But President Michel said this is a sign that our democracy is in good health and during the 11 years he has been working together with the people, he has transformed the country, built a strong economy and consolidated democracy. A democracy which he says allows for more diverse political views and opinion through unity and stability.

“We have succeeded in carrying out the transformation and today we have a strong and robust and still developing economy which is benefitting all the people,” President Michel pointed out.
Mr Michel noted that as our democracy continues to develop and evolve and politically the country is stable, therefore the time is right for more people to come and join politics and want to become president.

“This is right, it brings more competition, more diversity and choice but in the end it is the people who will decide if they want the continued progress where peace and stability continue to reign in the country so that we can go on working and generating wealth for our people and families. As for me I trust the intelligence of the Seychellois people to make the right and good choice for our country,” Mr Michel said.

But the President has stressed that no one will make him change his determination and commitment to work for the wellbeing of all the people of Seychelles without exception, and that he will never work in the interest of any group of people.

“I am sure that the forthcoming elections will be interesting and where the people will show their wisdom. I am going to ask the people for another mandate which will be my last under the Constitution. This is because I need to complete all the work that I have been doing during the last 11 years. This I will accomplish during the next five years to ensure we have the Seychelles we all want for the future of our youths,” President Michel said.

Like everyone else President Michel said he listened with interest the interview of the recently registered new political party Lalyans Seselwa but when asked for his views, his only remark was that    people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. He added that he will make further comments during the forthcoming Parti Lepep congress next month.

But the President is of the view that the recent political development has somehow awaken the people and rekindle a strong kind of political fervour that he has not seen before in the history of Parti Lepep.

“I believe that after this election we will know the true strength of Parti Lepep,” President Michel remarked.
With regard to corruption which the different political parties have promised to tackle, President Michel said these allegations are only perceptions of corruption.

 “All the time people talk about corruption and today if someone wants to create a political party and carry out political propaganda it is enough to say you will fight corruption. But the government has stepped up its effort to eliminate perception of corruption and corruption itself wherever there may be,” President Michel said.

He added that perception of corruption exists but up until now no one has produced any tangible proof of corruption itself to allow for a prosecution. “But the government has put in place the Ethics Commission whereby all heads of government including myself as well as other civil servants must declare their assets. I would like to reiterate that the government is committed to continue to eliminate not only perception of corruption but corruption itself if there is any, when and where it exists provided there is tangible proof,” the President stressed.

Increasing retirement pensions, the different other benefits and addressing disparities in salaries which again are the main focus of the different political parties, President Michel said he explained those issues in his State-of-the-Nation address.

“Before 2009 the country’s economy was on the brink of bankruptcy due to the adverse effects of local as well as international factors impacting on us, but as a result of some brave decisions taken with support from the people we have succeeded in turning our economy around. But as a responsible leader, I have a duty and responsibility towards the people not to take any populist actions which would endanger our economy and make it impossible to sustain these pension and benefits,” President Michel stressed.

But Mr Michel reiterated that as the economy prospers and when the country can afford, the government will continue as per its commitment and promise to the people to progressively increase pensions, benefits and salaries.

“This is because as a responsible government we want to ensure continued prosperity for the people,” President Michel noted.