This year, Seychelles marks the 15th anniversary of the advent of multi-party democracy. Government critics can voice their views without fear and, on governance league tables, the country ranks toward Africa’s top, usually behind such regional standard-bearers as Mauritius and Botswana.
President James Michel is credited generally with fostering a freer society than his long-serving predecessor, Albert Rene, and raising the country’s international profile. But Mr Rene – now head of the ruling Seychelles People’s Progressive Front – remains a powerful figure behind the scenes. Seychelles’ democratic credentials are not free of blemishes, and opposition groups accuse the ruling party of sometimes using heavy-handed tactics.
In Mont Fleuri on Mahe, the country’s main island, a by-election was triggered in July when Jean-Francois Ferrari, an opposition MP, resigned in protest over alleged bias by the speaker of parliament. The SPPF did not field a candidate and Mr Rene told his supporters not to vote. Mr Ferrari was re-elected, but many voters in both parties heeded the former president’s call. The opposition Seychelles National party accused Mr Michel of intimidation.
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