Let us unite
By Pat Pillay
Leader of Lalyans Seselwa
National Unity has been the theme of many a speech given by Mr Michel over the last 10 years or so. Regrettably, our call for the setting up of a Reconciliation and Healing Commission which would be a precursor to national unity has not been heeded. At the launching of LDS (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa) last weekend, I spoke of the need for us to unite as a nation in view of the air of general malaise prevailing in the country currently. I suggested that it is important for those of us in leadership positions in the country to lead by example and help heal the wounds of the recent past. One of the greatest lessons in history that helped heal a divided nation and bring a sense of harmony, calm, and unity in that particular nation was when the great Madiba (Nelson Mandela) sometime after his release from prison travelled hundreds of miles to meet and have tea with the wife of the very Prime Minister who had imprisoned him and was the very architect of the racist and vicious system of Apartheid. The world hailed the great man as a secular saint who was able to rise above all anger, bitterness and hatred to forgive those who had oppressed his people for so long. The gesture was indeed symbolic; but it was a very potent and direct message to all South Africans that it was imperative that they all had to rise above the hurts and pains of the past, if they were to successfully meet the challenges of the new democratic dispensation. They had to learn to forgive. To be able to carry out such a task is not as easy as it may seem. It takes courage determination and a strong sense of leadership. It takes a man with the magnanimity of mind and attitude to act in a manner where the common good of the nation is first and foremost in the advancement of peace and prosperity.
We in Seychelles are at a delicate juncture of our political history. Anybody who makes an effort to feel the pulse of Seychelles society today will appreciate that there is much bitterness, anger, division and in many cases despair amongst the population. Things may appear calm and normal on the surface. However there is an underlying malaise in our society that if not handled skillfully, delicately and carefully may manifest itself in nasty and violent confrontations at an individual or group level that would irreparably damage our reputation as a peace-loving nation. The question I had asked at the LDS launch is whether it is not necessary for the Head of State to take the initiative and meet up with the leaders of the opposition parties in an open display of dialogue that would send a clear message to the nation that we can and indeed must be able to dialogue with one another and live alongside one another. We all have our political differences; but we must recognise and manifest the more important common good that that is absolutely necessary for peace and harmony in our society.
This week we have witnessed the resignation of Mr David Pierre as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly as well as his resignation as the leader of his political party the PDM. In less than two weeks we expect a ruling from the constitutional court that will have a major impact on the future political developments of this country whichever way the judgment goes. We must ensure that the whole country is the winner; otherwise we run the risk of creating further division in our society. In mid 2016 we will be having National Assembly elections and already campaigning has started in the districts. We cannot and must not take all these developments lightly and we must take steps to show that we can and must work together if we want peace and harmony in our beautiful Seychelles. Is it too much to ask the Head of state to organise an informal ( or not so formal ) meeting with all political leaders in the very near future ? We need this before the 31st May to send a strong message of peace, unity and reconciliation to the whole nation whatever the outcome of the court case. For this to happen, it takes real and strong leadership and much courage. Are we up to it?
In concluding, I would appeal to SIFCO (Seychelles Inter- Faith Council ) to take the initiative and facilitate such an important event. After all SIFCO did some excellent work in the weeks leading to the presidential elections in December last year, the impact of which I believe has been underestimated. We dare to hope.
Source: Weekly 5-20-16