Reactions to President Ramkalawan’s State-of-the-Nation address |24 February 2024
After President Wavel Ramkalawan's State-Of-The-Nation address on Thursday evening, Seychelles NATION sought the views of opposition parties, namely the Seychelles United Movement and Seychelles National Alliance Party, as well as people from different areas, for their opinions.
Seychelles National Alliance Party (SNAP)
SNAP party Leader Vincent Padayachy welcomed President Ramkalawan's announcement regarding an 11th Constitutional amendment. He endorsed the amendments aimed at establishing fixed election dates and removing presidential immunity provisions.
"I think this is right,” Mr Padayachy stated, adding that the amendments are long overdue.
Mr Padayachy emphasised the importance of updating the Constitution to establish clear election dates, citing concerns about rumours surrounding election timing.
However, Mr Padayachy also expressed dissatisfaction with the Sona, proposing that President Ramkalawan misled the nation regarding economic performance and the tourism industry. He contested the president's assertion of positive economic performance in 2023, particularly in tourism, citing a significant drop in arrivals during the peak season.
Despite President Ramkalawan's claim of increased visitor numbers in 2023, Mr Padayachy deemed the statistics as misleading and not reflective of the actual situation.
“The president said that last year we performed well in terms of tourism, but this is not our observation,” Mr Padayachy stated.
Furthermore, Mr Padayachy criticised the timing of President Ramkalawan's apology to victims of the 1977 coup d’Etat, suggesting it should have come sooner after the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission’s (TRNUC) report. The TRNUC report was presented to President Ramkalawan in March 2023.
Moreover, Mr Padayachy highlighted challenges in the business environment, saying that it favours foreigners over Seychellois entrepreneurs. He called for greater control of the economy by Seychellois.
In concluding, Mr Padayachy also doubted the government's commitment to citizen consultation, advocating for extensive consultations before decision-making.
SUM party leader Marco Francis
Seychelles United Movement (SUM) leader Marco Francis expressed gratitude to President Ramkalawan for delivering a non-insulting address, but criticised the lack of consultation on constitutional amendments.
Mr Francis noted that he disagreed with the president's announcement that the Constitutional amendments will be tabled to the National Assembly soon, calling for broader consultation with the nation.
“The Constitution concerns all Seychellois, but there has not been any consultation with the nation, '' Mr Francis pointed out.
Regarding the president’s assertion that there is no victimisation and discrimination in Seychelles, Mr Francis pointed out that citizens still have a sense of fear based on their political beliefs.
In addition, Mr Francis criticised the government's handling of the cost of living, citing profits from state-owned companies such as the Seychelles Trading Corporation (STC) and the Seychelles Petroleum Company (Seypec).
He proposed eliminating bureaucratic hurdles for businesses to thrive
Mr Francis pointed out that in talking about the different sectors, President Ramkalawan should have addressed the measures taken by government to rectify the issue of unavailability of construction materials, arising from the CCCL explosives blast in December 2023. He highlighted that a number of small contractors risk going out of business, since they lack the financial resources to buy in bulk.
As for other sectors, he urged the government to address challenges in sectors such as agriculture and fisheries.
Moreover, Mr Francis questioned the adequacy of youth remuneration packages and noted the risk of youth turning to illegal activities due to dashed aspirations.
As for healthcare, he called for extensive healthcare reforms and emphasised the need for the government to lead by example in upholding the rule of law and fighting drug abuse.
In concluding, Mr Francis expressed disappointment in the lack of hope for prosperity conveyed in the Sona.
“I am disappointed as it goes to show that there is no hope of prosperity. For the Seychellois who listened to the Sona, they cannot say by this message that they can see prosperity on the horizon,” Mr Francis added.
Basil Hoareau – Attorney-at-law
“I welcome the proposal to amend the Constitution to set a fixed election date as I believe it would promote transparency. In the past there were allegations that the executive colluded with the electoral commission to set election dates in favour of a political party and having a fixed election date will do away with all those allegations.
“With regard to the proposed amendment to eliminate presidential immunity, I have always been of the view that Article 59 (2) of our Constitution is being misinterpreted, so far as criminal proceedings are concerned. I am of the opinion that Article 59 (2) does not grant any immunity to a former president in respect of criminal proceedings. However, any amendment which will remove any potential ambiguity regarding the issue of criminal proceedings, is to be welcomed.
“There was also a proposal from the National Assembly Speaker to consider increasing the number of proportionately elected members of the National Assembly which apparently arose during a national symposium hosted by the National Assembly last year.
“The reasons advanced by the Speaker with regard to the advantages of such a revision does not hold water. The principal advantage – which the Speaker did not mention – is that an increase in the number of proportionate members, can only take place by an amendment which will lower the percentage threshold, for a political party to be able to nominate a proportionately elected member.
“This would increase the possibility for smaller political parties to have representative in the National Assembly. So it would definitely be advantageous to of newly-formed political parties, as it would increase the possibility of such parties being represented in the National Assembly. In that sense it would advance our democracy as there would be more divergent views in our national assembly.”
Peter Sinon - Chairman of the Seychelles Small Hotels and Establishment Association
The chairman of the Seychelles Small Hotels and Establishment Association, Peter Sinon, said “although the association is very happy that the tourism department has recorded that more tourists are coming to Seychelles, in reality they are spending less due to the high cost of living and a lack of activities where they can spend money.”
He added that “due to acute bargaining, clients are paying than the original prices advertised.”
Mr Sinon added that an increase in utilities and commodities has hiked up their operation costs and to make matters worse, clients, especially returning clients to small establishments, tend to bargain more, leading to a loss in revenue for small operators.
The tourism entrepreneur said that “more should be done to ensure that tourists get the value for money that will in turn have them spend more money on other services in the country.”
He noted that “although more tourists are pouring in, on the other hand the small tourism establishments, are still experiencing problems with cancellations due to high cost of living in the country.”
“Apart from tackling the high cost of living, I think that instead of focusing on the number of tourists who disembark here, we should focus more on retention in terms of activities that will make them spend money while on their vacation.
“Compared to other destinations, we are a little bit dead when it comes to activities and entertainments. Without losing our dignity, we should do more to ensure their money remain in the country,” Mr Sinon said.
He added that “small hotels and established businesses should be more valued as they are the ones helping other people in the community to earn a living and they contribute directly into the economy compared to clients of five star hotels who remain within their comfort zone, without having to go outside to seek other services.”
Sybille Cardon – Chairperson of Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association
The Seychelles Hospitality and Tourism Association applauds and supports the president's comments made in his Sona, advocating unity of purpose, engagement and application across our nation and involving all economic and social sectors.
“SHTA has constantly promoted maximum synergy across our economic landscape – private and public – and with a specific reference to the tourism sector which drives our national economy. SHTA recognises that the fortunes of the sector and the nation are inextricably connected. If our country succeeds, so too does the tourism sector, and vice versa.
“SHTA feels that in order to achieve this holistic approach all stakeholders should engage in meaningful and productive dialogue whenever major strategic decisions which impact upon tourism are being considered.
“The private sector is best placed to identify and quantify shifts in the state of tourism business – both good and bad – and advise government accordingly and without bias or favour. We should be able to do so in the national interest and without our contribution being categorised and marginalised as 'criticism'.
“Finally, and within the spirit of the above, SHTA welcomes the forthcoming opportunity to contribute to the review of employment legislation – something which, in order to realise the president's objectives – must be driven by the needs of both private and public sectors.”
Laura Pillay / Patsy Canaya / Patrick Joubert