Lalyans Seselwa convention |28 May 2018

Patrick Pillay re-elected Lalyans Seselwa leader

Patrick Pillay has been re-elected Lalyans Seselwa party leader and Daniella Payet is the new secretary general.

Unchallenged, both Mr Pillay and Mrs Payet were given a vote of confidence during the party’s convention yesterday afternoon at the AVANI Barbarons Resort & Spa.

The other members elected to serve on the party’s executive committee are Daniel Cesar (deputy secretary general), Vivienne Soundy (re-elected treasurer), Joana Nicette (secretary for information & communication), Jean Ragain (secretary for mobilisation and organisation), François Rose, Nigel Confiance, Georges Michel, Raoul René Payet, Ted Sauzier, Noelline Hoareau (chairperson senior citizens organisation), Jackawan Hoareau (chairperson of youth organisation), Julia Morin (chairperson of women’s organisation) and Roy Finesse.

Association for Rights, Information and Democracy (Arid) representatives observed the meeting and election and helped with the vote.

Those present for the convention observed a moment of reflection for former party activist Noellie Alexander who passed away on May 3, 2018.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Pillay said “Lalyans Seselwa is ready to put an end to the state of lawlessness and crimes in the country”.

He added that the country needs firmer political will to counter corruption.

“Prosecution is necessary in order to make an example of them,” he said, adding that Lalyans Seselwa will tackle the drugs and alcohol issues head on.

Having held senior posts in education, Mr Pillay explained that “lack of discipline and respect are the root of problems in educational institutions”, noting that “Seychelles needs a leadership which insists discipline from everyone”.

In an interview with the media, Mr Pillay said the party will build up its base in the districts so as to gain more supporters, adding that they will push for presidential elections this year and that “Lalyans Seselwa will win”.

“We are determined to protest for presidential elections this year as the country is getting worse economically and investors have no trust in the government,” he said.

Mr Pillay noted that the other original members of Lalyans Seselwa who are members of the National Assembly on the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) ticket are free to stay with LDS.

“I have no problem with them staying with LDS. If they feel I am not the right leader they are free to choose someone else. I cannot be championing democracy and yet stifle it,” said Mr Pillay.

The former National Assembly Speaker, who resigned less than a year after being voted into office, said that banks, especially state owned, should lower interest rates and added that those evading taxes should be brought to justice.

He also called on government to relook at the structure of the Islands Development Company (IDC) so that all Seychellois can be involved.

Mr Pillay once again said that the idea of a proposed Indian military base on the island of Assomption should be abandoned as the island of Assomption is for Seychelles and is also near Aldabra, a Unesco world heritage site.

In a message to the National Assembly, he asked the members on what ground will they take a vote to ratify the Assomption deal.

He further challenged both President Danny Faure and leader of the opposition, Wavel Ramkalawan to organise a referendum on the Assomption agreement.

During the meeting Mr Pillay also announced some amendments to the party’s constitution which include the creation of the post of deputy secretary general and having two-thirds of the executive committee present for a quorum.

Lalyans Seselwa was registered as a political party in April 2015 with Mr Pillay as party leader and Ahmed Afif as secretary general.

In the run-up to the parliamentary elections of September 2016, Lalyans Seselwa joined forces with the Seychelles National Party (SNP), the Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy (SPSJD) and the Seychelles United Party (SUP) to form the opposition coalition Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS). Independent candidate Philippe Boulle also forms part of LDS.

Mr Pillay was elected as a member for Anse Boileau and Speaker of the National Assembly at the Assembly’s first sitting following the parliamentary elections of September 2016.

On January 29, 2018, Mr Pillay submitted his resignation as National Assembly Speaker and as member of the National Assembly for the electoral area of Anse Boileau.

He subsequently broke off his party’s alliance with the LDS coalition. However the national executive committee of Lalyans Seselwa, through its secretary general at the time, Ahmed Afif, promptly replied that Mr Pillay’s decision to leave LDS was not ratified by the committee hence “Lalyans Seselwa will continue to remain an integral part of the LDS”.

In a press conference, Mr Pillay said: “I have never heard of any instances where a secretary general of any party takes any decision of this type. It is the party leader that decides, and if the secretary general feels he wants to remain in LDS, he is in his own right to do so. Mr Afif can stay in LDS if he wishes, but I as the leader of Lalyans Seselwa am confirming that we are not staying in the coalition.”

Mr Afif as well as other Lalyans Seselwa stalwarts like Terence Mondon, Clifford Andre, Wavel Woodcock and François Adelaide, who are all members of parliament, were not present at yesterday’s convention.