Seychelles National Day Used As Platform For Lies

Dr. James A Michel.

Like many Seychellois, we all listen in on the President’s National Day Speech. Each year, this mid year declaration, gives us an insight into what the man at State House is pondering, and what he is not pondering; what is genuine, and what is not. Just as he relishes the moment to bullshit a nation, I relish the moment to dot the I’s and cross the t’s, because it is always a jackpot of lies. Here it goes, but let’s start with a truth first.

In 1992 Our Reserves Was $35Million

This is true. But behind this truth Mr. President, is the lie. Who was the Minister of Finance: James Michel. That is you, or is it someone else? How many years did you make the people of Seychelles suffer under ridiculous policies that made us poor as individuals, and poor as a country, when given a small population, vast potential in fisheries and tourism, after 35 years, we are still hearing from you the same message we heard 35 years ago: “we need foreign autocrat investment o develop Seychelles”.

Today Our Reserves Are $340 Million Congratulations!

What Mr. President does not tell the people of Seychelles, is that the Seychelles has never started repayment of debts which caused her to go BANKRUPT officially under his watch. Debt repayment was suppose to start in 2013 and his government asked creditors for a grace to start repayment in 2015. Hence, they money to repay debt has accumulated in reserves today, but that will be wiped out with accrued interest payments for nonpayment, and balloon payments in 2015. This means the reserves though there, our debts are increasing ever more so.

To achieve this reserve, the GOS clipped the real value of the US Dollar and Euro since last year and dragged these currencies to below 25% of their market price.  In effect,  they gave the government an opportunity to buy real money at a 25% discount to build the reserve they claim they have. Basically they stole 85 Million Dollars from the private sector, money Tourism and Fisheries could have used to put into circulation, upgrade facilities, equipment, and make industries more competitive.

Now, on the back drop of the lights glitter, and fancy parade, Mr. President comes out and says he will make interest on loans more affordable to fool the business community and the Public that he is pro Seychellois business. Programs that create substitution for unemployment is not a business opportunity Mr. President, it is called expensive babysitting. Entrepreneurs are not legislated, they are unique individuals, with unique stamina, energy, ideas and know how. This is where government needs to put money: “education to spark creativity and business acumen, not education to create file clerks and paper pushers”.

Mr. President Says Foreign Investors Are Needed

On this issue, Mr. President, loses his cohesion as a leader completely. He attacks his people, insults them, belittles them lectures them as if we are all Five (5) year old children and he is a great wise, leader that never drove Seychelles into bankruptcy. No person who has ever driven a country into bankruptcy has ever spoken to his people like that except for President Robert Mugabe.

Mr. President, we are not anti -foreigner, we are pro -Seychellois.

Around Seychelles we can see all the projects you approve for foreigners, but see little approved for Seychellois. When foreigners get their projects approved, they your government is soft on them, lenient, and they enter the market for peanuts. When Seychellois get a project, they suffer, year in and year out for approval, your government squeezes them, every step of the way until their will, their stamina , is sapped. You have it all wrong.

President James Michel Offshore Account in British Virgin Island

In any country, a balance must be struck. But your very admission that there are no programs for Seychellois, shows that you have a problem with your economic development scheme. The problem is that it is focused primarily on seeking out autocrat investors from UAE to do all your investing because they are your close friends first, and investors second. When they get offended they will pull out you say. Well Mr. President, this is the exact reason why responsible leaders do not bank their national economy on autocrats.

You say these Autocrats have dollars and invest around the world. Yes, but each country they invest in do not rely on them to make their national economy run. Seychelles is special, it is also small, it is beautiful, and you should know she is the apple of the Autocrats eye. As President, you are tasked with finding responsible secure investments for Seychelles, not fly by nights, which you yourself admit, are very sensitive.

Surprise :Raise Salaries So People Clap Hands

At the end of the speech a desperate call for increase of salaries came from the man who since 2004 had increased salaries by 3% only under the name of “Social Justice” in this time, inflation compounded 58% over the heads of Seychellois, who he said are well off today.

Bring salaries to 2004 level offset against INFLATION Mr. President: INCREASE SALARIES BY 58% to pay for your failures. Then we will see if IMF collects you themselves.

Seselwa Unite!

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Written by Christopher Gill, Leader of Seychelles Freedom Party.