Seychelles Community in EU - Historic Coup D'etat

Historic Coup D'etat

One party state era 1977 onward

Widespread involvement of Seychellois in their own political affairs began in 1948 after World War II, when Britain granted suffrage to approximately 2,000 adult male property owners, who then elected four members to the Legislative Council that advised the governor. The winning candidates were drawn from a group known as the Seychelles Taxpayers' and Producers' Association (STPA), which represented the landed strata of society — known colloquially as the grands blancs (great whites). The STPA defended its members' interest in matters of crop marketing and other issues and was the principal political force in the nation until the early 1960s, when representatives of the small new urban professional and middle class began to win seats.

Over the past 25 years, the Seychelles community in the EU has presented briefly the issues and reasons why those that had formed the Planters Association—Grand Blanc—had wanted to charter and plan a different course of history for Seychelles then under British Colonial Rule. They involved the elite of Seychelles of French descent in the British government Colonial Administration=, the Police, the Public Work Department, Treasury, the Local Banks, Cable and Wireless, the Hospital, the Harbour and Agriculture Department.

One of the most important historic and political events for the Seychelles Planters Association was the Algeria debacle. They had long been betrayed by France, under the Monarchy, the French Revolution, then the first Republic of Bonaparte. Algeria's proximity to Seychelles and the Indian Ocean, and the Suez Canal were also issues. The First and Second World War epoch, the ensuing economic and political development.

Two parties emerged to represent Seychelles' interest and workers interest: the DP, led by James Mancham, and the SPUP, led by France Albert René. Both men were London-educated lawyers who had returned to Seychelles determined to improve local conditions and to develop popularly based local politics.

Although community rivalries and the differing styles of the two leaders were important in attracting followers, the two parties also differed in substantive ways. The SPUP called itself socialist, favoured worker-oriented policies, and pressed for complete independence from Britain and a nonaligned foreign policy. The pressure for independence was intensified after Britain in 1965 removed Île Desroches, the Aldabra Islands, and the Farquhar Islands from Seychelles and made them part of the BIOT. The DP took a more laissez-faire capitalist approach and wanted to continue the association with Britain and to allow British and United States bases on the islands.