Last publication for 2011

Le Seychellois Hebdo wishes to inform its esteemed readers and subscribers that its last edition for 2011 is being published today - the 13th edition.

Our next publication will be on Friday 20th January 2012.

Interview with Roger Mancienne

In another frank and honest interview, Roger Mancienne talks to LSH about his perspectives on politics in Seychelles and what he is like as a person.

His advice to the Seychelles National Party, which he has served as Secretary General for the last 20 years:

“Its leaders have to work hard. I think it needs to keep representing people’s wishes, aspirations. SNP needs to stand for the things that people want to see in their own lives. If it does that, SNP will always be relevant, because I believe if a political party is to be relevant today it has to stand for what people want. We know that people want freedom, democracy, the right to live in dignity, the right to see the laws being obeyed by everyone. They also want to see progress in their lives, a better standard of living and better conditions in their communities. SNP must continue to stand for these things so that it knows it is speaking for the people.”

The interview will feature in our 13^th edition on 16^th December.

Pepper spray in Victoria

Le Seychellois Hebdo today witnessed the incident where a uniformed Police Special Support Wing (PSSW) Officer, pepper-sprayed non-violent Opposition supporters at point-blank sparking outrage from the public.

The incident took place on the zebra crossing between the Oliaji Trade Centre and the Palais de Justice. The crowd which has gathered to show support for the Seychelles Weekly Editor, Ralph Volcere was peacefully moving away, when one officer brandishing a can of pepper spray doused them with it repeatedly.  

LSH Editor, Gervais Henrie who was photographing the event says, "It was such an intense feeling. It felt like acid was being poured in my nose.”

LSH at the centre of the world media

Le Seychellois Hebdo was at the centre of the biggest news story from the Seychelles today.  Our official facebook page was the first news service to publish the photograph of the crashed drone being salvaged at the Seychelles International Airport. After being informed about the incident by someone from the airport, we rush to Pointe Larue, just in time to photograph the whole operation from the upper hill side of the district. The Editor Gervais Henrie was contacted by Jason Ukman from the Washington Post for an interview as a witness to the salvage operation. Our photos were reproduced by the US base newspaper and many other news networks which never failed to acknowledge the source of the photograph, unlike our own Seychelles Nation! “Bravo Gervais and LSH team. Excellent, that the work of a Seychellois is used in reputable international media and credited for it. You do Seychelles proud,” comments Kate Carolus. 

Year-end party

With the holiday season right around the corner, the SNP women’s Organisation today hosted an end of year gathering the elderly from all over the country.

LSH was invited to cover the event and we took the opportunity to get some shots for our People’s corner for the next issue.

Lost in Translation?

The Chief Press Secretary in the Office of the President, Srdjana Janosevic emailed Le Seychellois Hebdo to complain about our lead article, “The Red Army is coming.”

The article refers to an interview the foreign minister, Jean-Paul Adam gave to the international press about the government’s invitation for the Chinese navy to set up a military base here.

Ms Janosevic claimed the AFP made a mistake in quoting the minister whilst translating their story from French to English.

Being a single dad in Seychelles

Events take an unexpected turn for Andre Chang Thiou when his wife and only child's mother walked out on them.

Today LSH talks openly with Andre in the presence of his daughter, Estelle.

Read this week’s interview on Friday, for everything you could ever need to know about the life of a single dad in Seychelles.

A busy day shooting

A busy day shooting for LSH: In the morning we visited the International Bazaar hosted by the Diplomatic Spouse Association. Later in the evening, we covered two very different artistic shows – (1) by the Kids for Christ concert and (2) Volunteers’ talent show, organized by Lungos.

Calling Abu Dhabi

LSH spoke to popular Seychellois singer Emmanuel Marie by telephone from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of our special report - Exposé on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the 1981 mercenary attack.

It was a pleasant conversation to hear him reminiscing about his time at the Port Launay NYS village, recalling on the day he recorded the track ‘Le 25 Novanm,’ alongside other Stella Nibourette, Gisele Sultan and others from the Beginners band.

Ex-hostage Dyer - Am still angry

Former Seychellois hostage Patrick Dyer, who spent 88 days in Somalia held pirates, speaks for the first time about his experience.

In an emotional interview with LSH, Mr Dyer recalls the ordeals he endured together with his six colleagues from the Indian Ocean Explorer.

Here is an excerpt of his interview to be published this Friday.

“When I see them on the television I get very angry. I would like to talk to them and explain how their counterparts treated me badly. Here they are eating in a plate and sleeping on a bed. They can brush their teeth, have a shower every day and watch TV, compared to our situation. The captain (Francis Roucou) and I were in the desert, sleeping on a dirty mat under the sky.”

SNP women’s Organisation conference

LSH attended the annual SNP women’s Organisation conference.

This year’s event which will feature in our next edition - People column, saw the election of a new executive committee.

The Minister is not pleased

LSH Editor, Gervais Henrie got a call from the minister of Foreign Affairs over an article that appears in this week’s publication.

The story concerns the controversial appointment of Joseph Francois as Director General for Protocol, Treaty and Consular Affairs.

Minster Jean-Paul Adam was obviously not happy about the quotes attributed to his ministry’s staff and labeled them ‘fabricated.’

LSH stands by the story and can vouch that we interviewed a total of three ministry of foreign affairs employee to whilst compiling the article.

Air Seychelles keeps finances secret

The national airline responded our email dated 31^st October. The answers to our questions were typical PR jargon, prompting LSH to publish the article entitled “Air Seychelles keeps finances secret.”

Air Seychelles must be forthcoming with information when it comes to its finances. It can no longer afford to do whatever it wants with taxpayer’s money. Transparency and accountability are the new buzz words of this government and it’s high time they start walking the talk, instead of making endless speeches which keep the real information shrouded in mystery.

Judiciary under microscope

With the judicial system being been under a lot of scrutiny lately, LSH feels it is time to speak openly about the challenges the judicial system is facing and how it can surmount them.

Today we meet up with the BAR Association’s chairman, lawyer Antony Derjacques, who speaks to us about the independence of the courts being tested and the moves to amend or repeal many laws which will change how the judiciary works.