Letter to the Editor - President Michel and the two terms |30 September 2016

Politicians in the opposition are using President James Michel’s announcement to retire as another attempt to confuse their own supporters.

I think President Michel is leading by example.

He was re-elected for a third term in December 2015. The issue of number of terms a President can serve was part of the campaign debate in December. In April – months after the presidential elections – the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles was amended. According to the amendment the President can now only serve two five-year terms.

President Michel had already served two five-year terms, plus one-third of the mandate he inherited from President France Albert Rene. He has served a total of 12 years and six months.

It was clear to me – and I suppose to all other political observers, too – that after the amendment the President would go. But he waited after the National Assembly elections.

The issue would have arisen if he had acted against the spirit of the amendment and gone on to serve the five years of the third term.  

And on Tuesday evening he did give the reason why he was resigning. The following is a quote from his speech:

 “Many decisions were made this year. One of the decisions was the amendment to the Constitution to limit the terms of the President to two mandates. And tonight I am announcing my decision to resign from the post of President of the Republic and take my retirement.”

It is only after a President resigns, is removed from office or dies, that the Vice-President takes over. Mr Danny Faure is taking over only because Mr Michel has limited the mandates to two.

 Suddenly, there is a craze for elections in Seychelles. I understand the impatience of some people. I am glad the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles has laid down clear arrangements for succession in the highest offices of the land. The arrangements provide a sense of stability and security in the country.

 This is why there are running mates during presidential elections. And also the post of Designated Minister.

 Many countries in the world, including the United States of America (USA) to which many of us look up to for examples of democratic values, has the same succession system. In August 1974 President Richard Nixon resigned as he faced the threat of impeachment because of the Watergate scandal. He was succeeded automatically by his Vice-President, Gerard Ford.

 The hard-working President Michel should be congratulated for walking the talk. He has just demonstrated commitment to a larger purpose, and that is the national interest. And also respect for the Constitution.

 Thank you for the space. Allow me now to also use the space to propose the organisation of a motorcade, or similar mass mobilisation, to give the President a good send-off, and say thank you to him for the tremendous contribution he made to our nation’s development, for dedicating his entire productive life to the service of our country.

 Thank you, Mr President, for all that you have done for our country.

V. Charles