Interview with President Wavel Ramkalawan |21 April 2023

President Ramkalawan: “It will be an honour to serve my country for another term”

‘It will be an honour to serve my country for another term’

Now that the quarterly Presidential press conference held live at State House has been cancelled, President Wavel Ramkalawan had an interview with Seychelles NATION this week to talk about the current state of affairs. He also shared that one mandate is not enough to complete the job he has started and “if the people of Seychelles wants me to present myself as the presidential candidate in the next election and I get elected, it will be an honour to serve my country”.

Seychelles NATION: Why have you changed the format of the press conference?

President Ramkalawan: I felt that during those press conferences, we dealt with the issues superficially. I decided it will be more respectful to the media houses if the journalists are allowed to ask their questions; do follow ups and go in-depth on a subject, instead of rushing.

The live press conferences were also too long. With the current format, a person who reads the paper, will do so at his or her own pace. A person following it on television can watch a 45-minute programme instead of a three-hour one.

However, there will be occasions where I will still hold press conferences.

Seychelles NATION: Has there been an update regarding the case of the alleged missing drug consignment and deported Iranians?

President Ramkalawan: All seized drugs are accounted for, including some found in the last Iranian boat that was seized, where they were trying to throw a tonne of drugs overboard. Around three kilos were spotted floating. This case is already before court.

There is another case involving a group of 11 Iranians arrested for human trafficking. Seychelles Coast Guard was assisted by the Indians and the French navy in this operation, which led to the release of our Seychellois. The Iranians were charged with drug and human trafficking. They were connected to three Seychellois who had already pleaded guilty and jailed for drugs and human trafficking.

Another incident involving an Iranian boat occurred outside Seychelles waters. So, we could not prosecute them despite arresting them with a tonne of drugs as it was outside our jurisdiction.

We had to release them after they had pleaded guilty, because we do not want to hold Iranians in our prisons. It was because of the presence of Iranians in Seychelles prisons last year which allowed them to establish a strong network, leading to our major drug issue, and with one of them heading the drug ring.

We have deported all Iranians, with the assistance of their ambassador, based in Madagascar.

Seychelles NATION: In February 2022, Seychelles and the World Health Organisation joined a two-year budget programme for R13,398,000. Any update on that?

President Ramkalawan: With the WHO, we have an ongoing programme that covers training for specialisations. There are also professional consultants, as well as a WHO resident coordinator.

The program is a solid one that is monitored properly as we need to uphold WHO’s standard at all times.

Seychelles NATION: There have been complaints from the public that the conditions at the hospital are worsening; what is happening?

President Ramkalawan: We took over the hospital from a previous administration and inherited a building where the different sections/wards were not functioning properly. There was a lack of bedsheets because these were stolen by staff and patients. Today as we speak, this has been resolved.

We have a maintenance contract to renovate casualty, maternity and the operating theatres, so as to raise their standard.

More than 80% of Seychellois treated or admitted at the hospital, return home safe and well, and this also applies to patients of the Intensive Care Unit.

We are still sending more than 200 patients overseas for treatment. Today, we have three oxygen machines. There is a new medical school so that students can have a permanent place, and free the building over at North East Point. We also have a new hospital being built on La Digue.

We plan to rebuild the Baie Lazare clinic and modernise it.

We also need to relook at the services being offered. In 2022, over 40,000 people used casualty. And this year, 3,000 people have used the facility for the month of January alone. The public need to be educated about the service. However, there are little things we need to avoid internally, that may sometimes frustrate people.

I had a chance to follow a presentation on the state of our health, which will be presented to the cabinet, and subsequently to the National Assembly.

It is not acceptable for a 24-year-old to die of HIV in today’s society. Obesity is another concern, affecting 40% of our children and 64% of our women. Of course all of these will have an impact on the health system.

Seychelles NATION: Unfortunately, in the recent A-Level results, there was a massive deterioration compared to 2020, where there was a 100% pass. The comment is that Seychelles’ education has failed. What do you think?

President Ramkalawan: Teachers cannot perform miracles if parents are not interested in their children’s education or if they are exposed to a bad environment. This is what people need to understand: No miracles will be performed for your job, your education or your health. You are the one who has to put in the effort.

The government has taken some of the social responsibilities by providing breakfast and lunch at schools, so they can focus in their studies.

A recent IECD report shows that girls are doing better than boys, even before they start school. Already there is an imbalance so we cannot blame it on the education sector, if this is observed even before they go to school. Parents of children from both private and public schools need to show an interest in their studies.

The government may invest billions in this sector, but you need to know how to use it properly.

Another phenomenon that we need to look at, is that our group of high achievers continues to increase. I have been hosting them for the past two years and there is a clear indication that the numbers keep rising. We also see individuals who are excelling on an international stage. There are some who do extremely well despite the difficulties. Morals and teachings need to be taught.

Seychelles NATION: Do you think their environment plays a role?

President Ramkalawan: I am sure it does. We do not live in a bubble; all that we do around us has an impact. This is the reason why alcohol has a huge impact on families. A child growing up around alcohol and whose father allows him or her to light up their cigarette, is more likely to get addicted to tobacco.

Even research shows that too much screen time for children has a negative impact on their development. Unfortunately, it is easier for parents to switch on the television screen instead of spending time with their children.

Seychelles NATION: You handed the recent TRNUC report to the National Assembly without any comments. Will you give your reaction?

President Ramkalawan: I did not make any comments because I had not read the report yet. But it was my choice to make it public immediately after, even though I have a month under the law, to do so. I wanted to show that I did not influence it in any way. I did not want to comment until the National Assembly has had a chance to debate on the TRNUC report.

However, I will make a few comments. First of all, I would like to say thank you to all the victims who were courageous enough to step forward and tell their own personal atrocities, to the public. We all remember the story of Brian Victor and how he had to survive. A lot of tears were shed over that story. Thank you to the victims because this is what should never happen in Seychelles. This is also a lesson for me as the President; to never give illegal orders and for people to lose their lives. I will take the democratic route, where the freedom of speech allows the population to express themselves freely.

On the other hand, what I discovered was an eye-opener. I know that in 1977-1983, we were a one party state. I do not support it, I condemn it. However, in 1993, we had a new democratic constitution, where we had a charter of human rights, and the establishment of institutions such as Ombudsman, PSAB, and the police force, to protect the Seychellois people. I am therefore upset when I see instances after 1993, where the Commissioner of Police is named among the perpetrators, and I hear about deaths that were not investigated, such as Damendra Euletin, Ricky Hermitte, and others. This indicates that those in power at the time disregarded that same Constitution they signed. Let us not forget that it was under the new constitution that I was also beaten on October 3. So 93 percent of the report’s content stresses me but I will have a chance to comment further.

I am confident to say that in today’s society, the constitution is being respected. There are no reports of anyone disappearing or beaten during the past two years. And any incident of a person mishandled by the police, have been dealt with. Today’s military actions do not resemble any previous cases.

The people are free to express themselves and I am happy to see that organisations such as the Office of the Ombudsman, is lodging a case before the Court of Appeal, for the first time. The Bar Association is also bringing a case to court for the first time, since the law was established.

I am happy to see that there is progress because in the past I was the one lodging all my cases before court.

Seychelles NATION:  How is the ongoing preparations for the Indian Ocean Islands Game and what caused the delay?

President Ramkalawan: When the new administration took over, we visited all the sports facilities, together with the former chief executive, and found them to be in a deplorable state. We could not get an international match as all the sports facilities had some major issues, which are now being fixed, such as the tracks and field at Stad Linite. I get annoyed when I see the state of those facilities.

Even the stadium on La Digue could not be maintained properly as the former government never signed a lease with FIFA. The organisation usually asks for a 25-year lease to fix and maintain a stadium, and Seychelles signed such an agreement with the organisation recently, during its president’s visit.

The government’s interest and all that is happening ensured that Seychelles got the bid to organise the World Beach Soccer tournament.

Our youths are also getting ready for the Indian Ocean Islands Games and I am hopeful we will do well, similar to the last ‘Francophonie’ games and other tournaments.

Seychelles NATION: June, 2023 will be exactly two years since the Plantation Club Hotel report was handed over to you and you were supposed to announce the necessary action to be taken. Why have you been silent about this?

President Ramkalawan: Yes, I remained silent about it since the chairman of the Commission of Enquiry never presented the report to me officially but opted to talk to the press.  As Head of State, I have a clear principle; a report should be submitted officially following all necessary procedures; just like the TRNUC and IDC’s Sea Horse reports were submitted and made public.

In the case of the Plantation Club report, I saw something posted on social media. I believe that when former President Faure established the commission, the goal was to have the final report presented to the President. When this does not happen, I do not have anything to comment on.

Seychelles NATION: What is Seychelles’ position vis-à-vis the ongoing geopolitical fights?

President Ramkalawan: As a member of the African Union, we are saddened to hear about what is happening in Sudan and Seychelles position is clear. All stakeholders should be involved in the discussion and we support AU’s and UN’s position to sort out the issue.

With regard to the Ukraine-Russia war, Seychelles expressed its position clearly at the United Nations. We are against the war and it needs to stop. We have to find stability as it has an impact on prices of commodities, fertilisers, transportation and others. Seychelles always supports peaceful agreements and remains as a non-aligned country.

Seychelles NATION: It is apparent that all emergency houses are full. What measures are being taken by the government to remedy this situation?

President Ramkalawan: Once again the solution goes back to the families. If someone is already living in an overcrowded house, better planning is needed instead of adding on new members.

Housing problem will not be resolved by just building new houses. It is a personal responsibility and families should find ways to support each other.

We do have a lot of people submitting applications, as well as ongoing projects. However, we also encourage them to work, so they can easily access loans through their own contribution, to build their house.

For those already contributing towards a home, the government has increased the threshold from R14,000 to R19,000, so that more people can have access to the part rental facility. The sum they can access has also increased. We encourage people to do regular contributions so that the government can also undertake new housing projects.

I am calling on those who are renting out their houses to reconsider the price range.

Seychelles NATION: The recent dog baiting incident has affected Seychelles’ reputation worldwide. There are remarks that the government has failed! Your comments.

President Ramkalawan: Stray dog is a community problem. Where do they come from? It is a problem created by Seychellois. How many were presented with a dog as a gift but could not take care of it. People who do not sterilise their dogs are also responsible for strays. There should be an educational programme about the matter and I would encourage all organisations concerned with animal welfare to join us for same.

We have to change our attitude towards animals. They are not a mere Christmas gift, to be discarded soon after. Let us be frank; stray dogs are a nuisance and cause accidents. Both tourists and locals have been bitten or disturbed by strays.

Unfortunately there were some malicious posts on social media, discrediting Seychelles’ reputation. We need to remove stray dogs from our streets; they are not an attraction. Things went wrong recently but we now need to see the way forward.

Seychelles NATION: Seychelles Coast Guard recently collected 114 fishing aggregating devices (FADs) dropped at sea by foreign vessels. Shouldn’t Seychelles hold those vessels accountable and get them to contribute towards the clean-up exercise?

President Ramkalawan: This mission is sponsored by the European Union. Moving forward, we are considering installing an alarm system in all the FADs, which would notify the authorities, whenever they approach an island, leading to the necessary actions. There is an ongoing conversation about how to reduce FADs in our seas. An interesting story is that Saya de Malha, the vessel involved in the clean-up mission, used to be a fishing vessel dropping FADs at sea. Its mission changed when the Spanish gifted us the boat.

Seychelles NATION: With the revision of the electoral boundaries, political parties have made the claim that it was done for nefarious intentions. What is your reaction?

President Ramkalawan: I find it strange, because politicians that approved the Constitution and who sat on the Constitutional Commission (SPFF and Democratic Party) said there must be the change. They agreed on the size of the constituencies. I was not part of that commission and it is sad when people try to make us believe that something was happening for the first time.

The changes are being carried out by the Electoral Commission. Voters’ registration has nothing to do with the government. Such declarations show the weakness of the opposition.

Seychelles NATION: Are you happy with your party?

President Ramkalawan: Right now I am happy with the work LDS is doing and we have raised the bar in the National Assembly. Since the beginning of the year, the members of the National Assembly are talking about issues that are on our agenda. We said we will ‘met larzan dan pos Seselwa’ and we are doing it. As a government we are doing two things; we are reducing the price of services such as electricity, fuel etc; offering breakfast to children and also increasing your salary by adding your allowance, allowing you to have access to more facilities. Seychelles has been able to maintain its Fitch rating and its political stability. The country is considered as a liberal democracy in Africa, and worldwide we are well known for being peaceful and safe. Together let us build this country!

Seychelles NATION: Will you be a Presidential candidate in 2025?

President Ramkalawan:  2025 will be an interesting year. We will have the ‘Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l'Océan Indien’ games, the World Beach Soccer tournament and the election between July and September 2025. The question is whether Wavel Ramkalawan will be a candidate? I will immediately say that one mandate is not enough to complete the job. If the people of Seychelles wants me to present myself as the presidential candidate in the next election and I get elected, it will be an honour to serve my country for another term.

Interview conducted by Sunny Esparon and Vidya Gappy

Photos: Joena Meme