Parti Lepep presidential candidate James Michel |01 December 2015

‘People appreciate the big turnaround in our national economy’
 
Seychelles NATION: Why do you think the people should vote for you as President of Seychelles?

James Michel: I have delivered on the promises I made to the people from the first day I took office in 2004. The list is long. People, especially the thriving business community, appreciate the big turnaround in our national economy. A performing economy provides the resources we need for development. I have preserved the socio-economic gains we fought so hard to achieve. There is foreign exchange for all our transactions with the outside world. I have proven that I can sail the ship of state in very difficult times. This has made me an experienced leader, who is also responsible, realistic and hardworking.  The country has over 500 million dollars of reserve, which brings a greater sense of security to our future. I am now focusing on the promotion of the spirit of entrepreneurship, as we want our Seychellois to take greater ownership of our economy.

Seychelles has become a high-income country. We use the greater wealth to support higher wages, provide better services such as education and health, increase pensions, build more houses, and facilitate businesses. We have our University of Seychelles.  

People should also vote for me as president because I like to consult, listen, and include people from all backgrounds in the national affairs process. We know peace, stability and unity under my leadership. That is why my theme for this election is TOGETHER. We have always forged ahead together, because one person alone cannot develop a nation. I need the participation of all. I have the support of the people; they rally around my vision to realise our common goals for a better future. I thank them for their immense contribution towards building the New Seychelles. A vote for me is a vote for the continued wellbeing of our children, youth, workers, and the elderly. Together we progress.
           
Seychelles NATION: What is your definition of leadership? And what is your overarching purpose as a leader?

James Michel: To remain connected to those who have put their trust in you, to continue to earn their trust. The direction I want to take Seychelles is well defined. We are moving towards a brighter future. Leadership means bringing people together, motivating them, inspiring them and empowering them to contribute to achieving success for the nation. I won the two previous elections in difficult times because people put their trust in my leadership. Together we overcame the many challenges.

My overarching purpose as a leader is mobilising our nation, our resources, for the common good of all our people, and that when I leave office Seychelles will be a much better place than when I assumed the presidency.

 Seychelles NATION: Are we better off now than we were four years ago?

James Michel: A lot better. People confirm it. Progress is everywhere. The ease of access to foreign exchange in the banks. Increasing reserves. Doubling of minimum wage. New houses. A university to democratise degree-level education. Modern health diagnostic facilities. Favourable credit terms to help the development of small and medium enterprises. The economy is more solid and resilient, hence our promotion to the list of high-income countries. Employment opportunities abound. Seychelles is embracing renewable energy on a bigger scale. The Blue Economy offers plenty of new openings for Seychellois-owned businesses.

We’ve attained most, if not all, of the United Nations millennium development goals.  Our nation is more united today, in spite of our diversity. Politically we are more mature, which sustains our nation’s stability. There is a greater sense of social justice for all. We have the political will to build stronger state institutions, stronger communities, to tackle social ills. More people are participating in national affairs, which is good for our democracy and good governance. Seychelles is becoming islands of excellence, and is more visible on the international stage through our proactive diplomacy. After all the investments in infrastructure and social sectors, such as education, health and housing in the past four decades, we are now beginning to realise the full potential of a modern Seychelles.       

Seychelles NATION: In the past, how have you responded to, evaluated and learned from mistakes – your own and those of your team?

James Michel: Serious and responsible leaders start their political lives on a solid philosophy and a sound strategy to realise certain objectives. However, we do not have total control on the destiny of one’s country. We may have the best intentions today, but must be always prepared to adapt when circumstances change. I am proud that I belong to a party, a government, a team, that are able to adapt to the times. To have the wisdom to evaluate the evolution of events, in order to introduce timely changes.  The people appreciate when we come before them to explain difficulties we encounter. To involve them in the debate. They understand the need to adapt strategies. Change just for the sake of change is a monumental error.   
 
Seychelles NATION: What is your negotiating style, approach, philosophy?

James Michel: To give my all, to facilitate, to have courage, to inspire teamwork … in order to lead our people to the next development level. I listen a lot. I seek views from friends and opponents. My style is to avoid confrontation, but rather to promote harmony, to rid our society of rancour. The setting up of the National Consultative Forum attests to my belief that Seychellois can sit around the same table and talk, seek a better future for our people in spite of our diverse opinions. Whenever there is the need, I conduct dialogue sessions with the public in district meetings. I visit people at their homes and workplaces. I realise that we also have to reach out to others, especially people who feel aggrieved by past events. The erection of the Liberty Monument in Victoria last year is strengthening our resolve to create a new Seychelles that is united and at peace with itself. The interests of the nation, the wellbeing of the people, come before all else. In my negotiating style and approach I always consider the unity of our nation, our stability, a priority.  I have to facilitate the environment whereby we are able to talk and safeguard the wellbeing of our people.
          
Seychelles NATION: Tell us about a time when your judgment has been tested in crisis. And what do you want the people to appreciate about your judgment?

James Michel: The year 2004, when I assumed the presidency, our economy was on the verge of a precipice. I promised the people a modern economy. My team and I considered reform inevitable. It was a huge political risk. I was warned. In 2006 the people gave me the mandate to change the way we operated our economy. We undertook the drastic reform in 2008. In 2011 the people judged my action and approved of it.
 
I also have in mind our fight against piracy, the repatriation of our compatriots held hostage by Somali pirates as well as the grave incident in March 2010 when I gave the order to our navy to disable an Iranian vessel, captured by Somali pirates onto which six Seychellois fishermen had been transferred. My reasoning was that the survival instinct of the pirates would take precedence over everything else and that they would not have time to shoot our people as they had threatened to.  It was a calculated risk but the success of the operation proved me right. I want the people to appreciate that our country needs strong leaders, who have their interest at heart, who are responsible and realistic, and courageous enough to introduce changes and take decisions that will strengthen our resilience. We are a better country today. Thank you all for trusting my judgment.
     
Seychelles NATION: What are the keys to translating your vision for Seychelles’ future into action?

James Michel: Firstly, the vision has to be inspiring, and reflect the aspirations of the people. We always put people at the centre of development. To earn the trust of the people. Consultation is also very important. Unite the nation, rally them around the vision, make them feel they are part of it, make them feel they own it. My manifesto for the December presidential election, for example, is for all Seychellois. Every Seychellois sees himself or herself in it.  With the greater support of the people, with more resources, together we are translating the vision for Seychelles into a brighter future.
    
Seychelles NATION: Young people will be engaged in this election in greater numbers than ever before. How will you keep them engaged?

James Michel: The young people are an important support base. We are all happy when our students graduate from universities, and from our own higher-learning institutions, in greater numbers. I will pursue my vision of producing at least a graduate from each family. My greatest wish is to see all our young people avail of the abundance of opportunities of training, employment, business, arts and sports in the country. Their access to free education, free health service, to business openings, is guaranteed.

Meanwhile we have to continue involving all of them in the process of nation building, wealth creation, and problem solving. After all, they are the children of the modern Seychelles. They have the energy, the strong desire to make a difference. We continue to provide them with the opportunities and allow them to blossom. We will build a young generation that is more resilient to the temptations of antisocial behaviours. We have to engage them totally in the fight against drugs. I have always said our youth are the future. Their development will continue to receive my full attention. Their continued input is very important.

Seychelles NATION: What are the first three things you’re going to do to raise Seychelles’ confidence once you’re in office?

James Michel:  Continue to facilitate investment by our own Seychellois in all sectors of our economy. There are many openings for our educated and innovative population.  We need the wealth for our growing development.

Secondly, we have to improve the quality of or education, health and other public services.

Thirdly, we have to bring all our people together, and engage them fully in a major national effort to tackle the illicit drug problem and other social ills. In that particular context, the rehabilitation of those who have fallen victim to drugs and their re-insertion in society is of overwhelming importance.