Seychelles Column by Christopher Gill - Seychelles Faces Pirates Without Leadership

Seychelles Faces Pirates Without Leadership

A second boat has been taken in Seychelles waters, this time, a long-lining tuna fishing boat belonging to Taiwan. On board are Communist China Nationals, Philippine Nationals and Taiwan Nationals. No Seychellois citizens were taken, but the alarming point is that this 17 Ton Boat was taken just north of Denis Island, an Inner Island, well in Seychelles waters.

The Government of Seychelles had not detected the boat in our waters for at least three (3) days and made a discovery that the boat was in Seychelles waters well after the attack.

They likely learned about the piracy on CNN, Google or YouTube.

As the boat was taken, Mr. President Michel had already left the Country, en route to Japan for an official visit. Michel is seeking military assistance from Japan, a country that is prohibited from engaging in military action under its Constitution, since the World War Two surrender to General Douglas McArthur. 

Brigadier General Leopold Payet went on SBC and told us that he was prepared to intercept the pirates under orders from Minister Joel Morgan, who had been tasked with heading the command while Michel was out of Country. Morgan told us that Andromache was to intercept, and engage the pirates, and secure the Taiwanese boat, then bring the pirates to Justice. Andromache was dispatched.  It return 12 hours later empty handed, and the pirates made off with another boat and 22 hostages.  And not a peep from Colonel Coast Guard Ciseau!

Rumours ran rife in Victoria and State House as to what was ongoing. Andromache had attempted to engage the pirates, but the guns could not fire. Then, it is rumoured, pirates launched two rockets, and Andromache turned back and abandoned the mission. Hence why the Taiwanese fishing boat made it back to Somalia when it had only 50 kilometer advance on the Seychelles patrol boat. SBC confirmed that an IDC plane followed the boat back into Somali waters for 6 hours, although everyone knows that the plane does not have that kind of range.  SBC misleading the public again!

An International Call From Our President

On SBC the next day, by telephone, calling from Japan, Mr. Michel wished us all well and said the pirates had engaged the assistance of mercenaries to complete this attack. Inference being, that some elements wanted to dispose of his Government.

In Michel's mind, muddled with the rumours his government relies on to safeguard national security, this may have meant business men who have been given a raw deal were out to seek revenge on his government. There are many and they are numerous.

Well, over the last 72 hours, the pirates have seized 5 vessels.

For your information Mr. President, and your YouTbe adviser, this has nothing to do with mercenaries. The pirates, which has some groups larger than the Seychelles Army, that number 350 to 500 men with over 100 small attack boats, simply found Seychelles territory easy prey, since all the world’s naval forces have concentrated their effort in the Gulf of Aden and they have over one million square kilometers to monitor, it became the obvious next step to move into Seychelles waters where the Government does not pay attention to pirates.

From April to July when the Southeast sets in, we will have the pirates to deal with as they take advantage of fair weather conditions, calm seas, to pounce on us freely.  

Mr. Michel's illusions of mercenaries trying to attack Seychelles is only another indication and self verification of the incompetency of leadership we have at State House today, let alone the billions poured into a useless army over the years to keep Rene and Michel and their SPPF Government in power. There are no mercenaries attacking us, only Somalian pirates.

Pirates have attacked us because we have no viable Coast Guard or defense arrangements. Michel is now seeking arrangements after the fact and after we now have Ten Seychellois being kept hostage by these pirates. 

We Pay For Wasted Resources

When you should have built a Coast Guard fleet on Outer islands for our protection, you built bungalows for your girlfriends, for long four day weekends, so your wives would not see them. You wasted resources. You used the Army fund as your own slush fund, and your army generals built houses and flats for themselves with the people’s money.  You imported TVs, furniture and stereos for your wives and girlfriends instead of spending money on coast guard vessels and training.  Simple as that SPPF. You even parked your Suzuki jeep under the house on Desroches, for when you visit. Now, you wonder why the Somali based pirates have invaded our waters?

All our resources have been dedicated to protecting Mr. France Albert Rene, Mr. Michel, and other cohorts of the SPPF over the years. Our territory has received little or no protection simply because it was SPPF's policy not to do much to ensure our territorial integrity.

SPPF was more pre-occupied with protecting themselves and keeping Seychellois suppressed and under the barrel of a gun for 32 years. So do not blame mercenaries for your failures SPPF.  Blame your total mismanagement of the people’s funds and your lack of managerial skills on yourselves, not on mercenaries and pirates!

The YOUTUBE President

While Michel calls for prayers and thoughts for the families on YouTube, he does not mention what is being done to pay the RANSOM to release our hostages. The money held on Reserve which is $55 Million according to Michel, is there.

Pay the RANSOM and cause our Seychellois Citizens to be released and allow their families to live in peace of heart and mind. Stop the double talking SPPF.  

More Double Talk

While Minister Joel Morgan alleges that Seychelles is poor and does not have the ransom money to pay the pirates, I ask this of the Minister Morgan: "where is the $4.5Million from Ile Perseverans that disappeared under your watch?"  That would be enough to secure the release of OUR CITIZENS!  Use that money to pay the ransom and get OUR Seychellois Citizens home safe and sound.

What about the $55 Million President Michel has said we have raised for emergencies.  Are we not in an emergency? Is this not a time wherein that money can be used to save our Seychellois?

We can spend SR 300 Million on bad house loan debts to save your banks, but what about our Seychellois hostages? No budget for them, SPPF?  You can give millions in Jj loans, but no money for the release of our people?

After our Citizens are released we can sort out the other details.

Do not try to steer away from the main issue we are faced with SPPF. I appeal to you SPPF, in spite of the incompetence you have so far demonstrated, lay down your John Wayne cowboy mentality, so eloquently demonstrated by Joel Morgan, cast aside this dream of thinking that you can defeat these pirates, that number in the thousands  of battle trained-ready killers.

Get real SPPF, we are dealing with peoples lives and our nationhood is at stake at this hour. Our territorial integrity has been breached, with it confidence in our economy will go to tatters overnight. Wake up from your sleep, SPPF.

While Mr. President sends us messages on YouTube, the pirates are planning their next attack on us tonight or any day now.

Tomorrow after they have attacked us again, perhaps Mr. President will engage AirTel to send us an SMS to say that we should take all necessary precautions against pirates arriving on our shores. He will say Ramkalawan supports SPPF in its battle against pirates 100% so people of Seychelles will have no say, and we will remain speechless.

Another Tequila Boom marketing strategy at play in our national defense.  As if we ever had a real defense force!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois and Our Beloved Seychelles!