Interview with outgoing President, Mr James A. Michel |08 October 2016

‘I fought for fairness, justice and democracy’

Seychelles NATION: How can you summarise your contributions to Seychelles over the last 12 years as the country’s President?

President Michel:  Seychelles has changed considerably. The economy has been modernised and improved. Because of the growth and creation of more wealth, we today have over 400 million dollars in foreign exchange reserve. I leave behind an amount of financial security for our future. We have promoted entrepreneurship. More Seychellois now are owners of their businesses, especially in the tourism sector and small and medium enterprises. I made it easier for people to own their own homes, through discount schemes. There have been various revisions of salary and wage for workers, and increased benefits for pensioners and the most vulnerable in our society. Figures are facts, and facts are the truth. I can also say that we succeeded in defending our islands and people from piracy. The fight against social ills, such as drug abuse, is starting to bear fruit although much remains to be done.  Overall, I took Seychelles from the level of development of 2004, which was already high, and built on it. The facts are there for all to see.

Seychelles NATION: How would you like the people of Seychelles to remember you when you step down as President?

President Michel: As someone who fought for fairness, justice and democracy. As a leader who gave 50 years of his life to the service of the nation. For the freedom and common wellbeing of our people. Someone who will never give up the fight for the progress of our people, who believes in giving individuals the space for their empowerment and development.    

Seychelles NATION: The opposition has been saying that you just gave in as you could not take on the new challenge of working with an opposition-led National Assembly. What are your thoughts?

President Michel: I am not one who will ask that the goal posts be moved every time things are not in one’s favour. Our Constitution requires that there shall be a President of Seychelles, and separately, there shall be a National Assembly of Seychelles. We are not a parliamentary system of government. Therefore, the Constitution allowed for this situation to happen. A similar system exists in the United States of America, where presently the President comes from the Democratic Party and the Congress is controlled by the Republican Party. In my state-of-the-Nation address I announced that the constitution would be amended to limit the terms a President could serve to two. The amendment was done in April this year. I am walking my talk and after 12 years in power I am leading by example by handing over the reins of power to the Vice-President. Maybe it would have been legally correct for me to continue in the post, and still the people would have to wait for another four years to go to the polls. The same number of years with Mr Danny Faure as the next President. I think there is now a better opportunity to work together, more than ever before, to put the interest of the country first. The people voted for us to work together in their interest.

Seychelles NATION: Your successor, Vice-President Danny Faure, will have the task of taking Seychelles to the next level. How confident are you in his abilities to do that?

President Michel:  Mr Faure has been my Vice-President since July 2010. Together we have won two elections. He has experience in government, after serving in various capacities, including working with the youth, and as a minister in the key portfolios of education and finance. He is hardworking, competent and most importantly represents the post-independence generation of leaders. Therefore, as the new President of a modern era he will be in the position to strengthen national unity.   

Seychelles NATION: Why do you think Parti Lepep has lost some of its supporters, especially in some strongholds like Anse Aux Pins, Baie Lazare and Grand Anse Praslin?

President Michel: According to our own calculations we have lost about 10% support. We fought many opponents who later joined forces against Parti Lepep. Among the opponents were people who were part of the Parti Lepep leadership before. They used the experience of our party and their contacts in our structure to get to our supporters. There are other reasons but we are in the process of reorganising Parti Lepep. We will emerge stronger. Parti Lepep faced three other candidates in Anse aux Pins. I always say it is important we remain connected with the people. Meanwhile our analysis of the results continues. 

Seychelles NATION: Despite the many opportunities in many sectors created by this government for the people of Seychelles, why is it that some people say they are bitter with the system?

President Michel: We live in a democratic and free society. There have always been people who are against the system. For various reasons. We need more time to eliminate social ills, for example. As we develop economically, people develop new aspirations. That is why Parti Lepep is a party of change, in order to remain relevant. I am satisfied my government created many opportunities, in many sectors, for the people of Seychelles. The big challenge ahead is to empower our Seychellois to avail of the abundance of opportunities Parti Lepep has created for them.  

Seychelles NATION: Do you think the government has delivered to the people’s expectations over the last five years or so?

President Michel:  Expectations are high. As a leader I, too, always set the bar high. The economic, employment opportunities are many. We now have to import labour, yet we have Seychellois who are unemployed because of the ravages of social ills. We should always strive to improve service delivery.  This nation would do much better if only more of us could agree to work together to face the challenges, for the continued development of this gem of a country we call Seychelles.     

Seychelles NATION: What are your plans for the future? Are you still to be involved with Seychelles politics?

President Michel:  I am in good health and full of energy. I will continue to work for the wellbeing of the Seychellois, in any capacity I can. I will continue to promote the cause of small island states. I expect to continue my leadership role in climate change sensitisation worldwide. I will continue to give my full support to the development of the Blue economy concept which my government institutionalised. However, I will not be in the way of the new administration. The Blue economy is now an institution. I have experience to share.

Writing has always been my passion. My retirement from the post of President of the Republic of Seychelles also gives me the time to reorganise the Parti Lepep, revitalise and modernise it. We all have to give the support and help Mr Faure in his functions as President of Seychelles.  

Seychelles NATION: Politics in Seychelles has changed over the years. Do you think it has changed for good or bad?

President Michel: Seychelles’ democracy is evolving. The same is happening in other countries. Political parties have to adapt to remain relevant. Our country will do with less bickering, less racism, less personal attacks. We need to focus on real issues affecting all of us. Our institutions certainly deserve more respect, especially from the people who desperately want to take charge of the same establishments. Time will tell if politics in Seychelles has changed for good or bad.  

Seychelles NATION: After being so active during the 39 years of your life spent as a minister, vice-president and president how do you expect to settle down?

President Michel: I have prepared myself for retirement. My plans are laid out. I will devote more of my time to my family and people close to me.

Thank you, Mr President.