I am ashamed of my Government

Whilst I sit at my desk writing this column, the lyrics of Jean Ally’s song “I feel proud to be a Seychellois” keeps resonating in my head.

I have always been proud of my country, in spite of its many flaws. Every time I travel I would say where I am from with pride and invite friends to visit our islands and I was a good ambassador.

But last weekend, I can across an article in the daily newspaper, Seychelles Nation that pushed me closer to those who have lost faith in our confidence as a sovereign nation and wondered where the ruling party has led us to, 36 years after independence?

The article in question may be about the air evacuation of a 6-month old baby to receive specialist care in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but at the same time it exposes so many things that are going wrong with us as a nation and the sovereignty of our country.

The baby’s parents reaction has nothing to do with the way I felt. As a parent I would also have politely thanked whoever saved my child’s life.   

But is it the mandate of a national newspaper to propagate state propaganda, promoting the ruler of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as a savior and a “great leader,” – not to forget the urgent intervention by President Michel”?

What the writer did not realize is that the article reminded us how backward our health service is in terms of quality care, availability of qualified personnel and specialized equipment that a critically ill patient can easily die if not for the generosity and compassion of Sheikh Khalifa.

“All this became possible thanks to the close links that President James Michel has with the UAE President,” the article read – a well rehearsed line in typical North Korean style indoctrination.

This sort of eternal gratefulness to a foreign ruler makes me appalled, disappointed and ashamed. I cannot recall experiencing such an emotion before that flirtation between Seychelles and the Arab state began. For most people, I assume, that is now becoming a common feeling. 

I will surely be criticized in some quarters for my stance. I stand by it and feel glad I am not being cowardly and ignorant to what is happening before my own eyes.

Seychellois need to start reflecting and questioning the relationship this administration is pursuing on our behalf with the UAE. I could not help but wonder what the Emiratis think of us privately or ask myself if there is a Seychellois who will not feel at least a bit awkward when he or she next encounters somebody from the UAE, because of the way our Government makes us so dependent on them? Come to think of it, perhaps it is the Michel Administration I should be ashamed of rather than my country.