(Posted 30th March 2025=
Seychelles correspondents to this newswire have all been updating on what is said to be a troubling pre-election time reminding Seychelles of the early years of the “One Party era” when arrests, disappearances and compulsory acquisitions were carried out and traumatised the population.
This era ended up with a Truth & Reconciliation Commission that is yet to
bring the much-needed closure so that Seychelles can move on.
Seychelles witnessed yet another troubling display of unchecked power this week when a
private vehicle was halted and swarmed by unmarked, tinted vehicles occupied by individuals claiming to be police officers. The incident occurred on a dirt road when the driver, intrigued by the convoy of dark, unmarked cars leaving a premises, began recording the scene with his phone.
What the officers did not realize, however, was that their actions were also being recorded by the vehicle’s dash cam. The footage—before they forced the driver to delete his own recordings—revealed an alarming sequence of events: one officer aggressively rapped on the vehicle, startling the driver, while others surrounded him, demanding not only his license and tint permit but also access to his personal phone. In a clear violation of personal rights, they stood over him and ordered him to delete footage of their unmarked vehicles. At no point did these individuals properly identify themselves, merely asserting, *“Do you know we are the police? ”*
This blatant abuse of authority raises critical concerns about the state of democracy and civil liberties in Seychelles. It is *not* illegal for civilians to record police officers carrying out their duties as long as they do not obstruct justice. Moreover, given that these officers were driving on a dirt road in unmarked vehicles, it is highly questionable whether they were engaged in any legitimate police operation.
The timing of this event is particularly concerning, as it follows an incident last week where an independent candidate was reportedly trailed by a suspicious individual communicating via radio while moving through the districts. Even more troubling, reports have emerged that a citizen was recently **detained** for speaking out against a parliamentarian. And let us not forget the shocking treatment of a political only recently had absurd witchcraft charges dropped against him by the state. This blatant misuse of the judicial system to tarnish reputations and intimidate candidates is deeply concerning and indicative of an erosion of democratic values.
The arrest against free speech is being carried out when perpetrators listed in the Truth & Reconciliation Commission remain free to enjoy life immaterial of their past actions when Seychelles was terrorised resulting with an era of murders, disappearances
and imprisonment over and above of compulsory acquisitions of businesses and private
property.
**A Return to the One-Party Era ?**
These incidents are not just isolated cases—they are part of a disturbing trend that suggests Seychelles is slowly slipping back into an era many hoped was long behind us. The tactics of intimidation, surveillance, detentions for dissent, and arbitrary abuse of authority mirror the darkest days of the one-party era, where citizens lived in fear of the authorities rather than feeling protected by them.
The people of Seychelles fought for democracy, transparency, and accountability—yet today, we are seeing a government that seems more focused on silencing critics than serving the people. When unmarked vehicles with tinted windows are used to intimidate innocent civilians, when officers refuse to identify themselves but demand control over private property, when citizens are detained simply for expressing their opinions, and when the judicial system is weaponized to target political opponents with baseless charges, we must ask: Is Seychelles still a free nation, or are Seychellois being forced back into submission?
The people of Seychelles deserve safety, accountability, and the assurance that their rights will not be trampled by those in power. We call upon the authorities to clarify these incidents, uphold the fundamental freedoms of all citizens, and ensure that law enforcement and the justice system serve to protect rather than intimidate. The time for silence is over—this is a defining moment for Seychelles' democracy.
A recent law passed by the LDS Members of the National Assembly is starting to be used to arrest political opponents. But the law did not speak about ‘Hate Actions’ by the State on the very population who elected them to office. Actions that see Seychellois being marginalised by sale of government islands (under guise of 99-year leases) to influential foreigners even when Seychellois wanted to lease the same island for a local Seychelles development and when under the masquerade of ‘fake’ Face Book profiles someone manages to tear into political opponents with insinuations to discredit political opponents.
One of the biggest crimes in Seychelles today is ‘Hate Actions’ being undertaken with impunity resulting with even arrests and detention with years in police custody awaiting court judgements.
Actions speak louder than words in Seychelles. Perpetrators listed in the Truth &
Reconciliation Commission are free and remain free.
