Opinion - ‘Cohabitation: Everything to gain by playing the game correctly’ |21 September 2016
An analysis written recently by Peter Fabricius of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) asks a question in its title: “Will the Seychellois cohabitate or mutually self destruct”? The question plays on the recent parliamentary election where the umbrella opposition group, LDS (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa), won 15 districts to the governing party, Parti Lepep (PL), 10, giving the opposition a majority for the first time since the founding of this 3rd Republic.
Further in the analysis which quotes the Seychelles high commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Claude Morel, when it writes, “Yet Seychelles is embarking on what promises to be a challenging new chapter of ‘co-habitation’ politics, as the country’s high commission to South Africa describes it”.
The author further writes, “LDS’ leader Roger Mancienne called it a 'historic victory’. Michel and the PL graciously conceded defeat and Michel promised to work with the LDS-controlled National Assembly.”
The answer to Mr Fabricius’ question will come in part shortly after September 27, 2016 when after the assembly is convened, a new leader of opposition will be nominated from those on the LDS opposition bench. Those directly elected and those proportionally nominated, will elect their leader. Shortly after this I suspect the head of the Seychellois state, President James Michel, will invite the new leader of the opposition in the assembly to State House for a meeting, as has been done since the founding of the 3rd Republic.
Understanding that we have had four leaders of opposition – from former president James Mancham (former DP leader), to Wavel Ramkalawan (SNP leader), to David Pierre (formerly of the SNP but later leader of the newly formed PDM), and for a brief period, Franschasca Monnaie, the only female leader of opposition from the PDM – those loyal opposition leaders met on a regular basis with the head of state, starting with then President Albert Rene, and later President James Michel.
Of course we know that not all those suggested and planned meetings were held when the then opposition leader, Wavel Ramkalawan, declined to meet further with the president. It seemed that an opposition leader meeting with the president at State House was ‘verboten’ and strictly ‘Taboo’, for in the mind of a certain political elite, it smelled too fishy.
So indeed the answer to the question will come very, very soon after the new leader of the opposition is voted in. Will he or she go up to State House to meet the President of the Republic or will he or she refuse in total to talk and discuss affairs of this 3rd Republic with our elected Head of State, President Michel? The loyal opposition being what it is today, as represented by 4 distinct opposition parties under the LDS umbrella, may not feel so loyal to the 3rd Republic to do so but rather more loyal to their own interests to not do so.
For hope to flourish there needs to be continued dialogue so that indeed we can cohabitate and so that peace, progress and stability continues to grow as we have grown accustomed to it under a PL leadership in this 3rd Republic.
A possible answer to what lies ahead indeed rests with the LDS leadership and those who support what they are saying. It does not however bode well for dialogue at State House if the venom which is being spewed forth, the suggestions of stomping under foot by those in the opposition against the very leadership of the PL, continues on, this despite the best attempts of a President who from day one has called for unity and understanding.
In my mind it’s all about the very best of the 3rd Republic and what has been achieved to date. However flying the Union Jack of late by LDS billboards may just indicate no cohabitation and a continued approach of well the same old approach that took us from ‘Saboule’ to the one currently in fashion today.
I truly hope not however and will give the benefit of the doubt to LDS leader, Roger Mancienne, and encouraging continued dialogue and meetings with President Michel when an invitation is extended.
Thank you.
Raymond K. St Ange
Disclaimer
The views expressed in these letters do not necessarily represent the views of the Seychelles NATION newspaper.