SEYCHELLES CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE FROM BRITAIN
June 29th marks the 35th anniversary of the day when the Seychellois national flag was raised across the entire archipelago for the first time in 1976. The Seychelles islands were ‘disputed’ between the French and British for a considerable period of time but finally became a British colony after the surrender of the French administration on the islands in 1810 although this only became a formal arrangement in 1814. Colony status was lasting until independence was granted in 1976, rather belatedly considering the ‘empire’ had been in decline since the late 1950’s and early 1960’s when colonies demanded their freedom and while at times granted peacefully in other cases the ‘locals’ like in Kenya fought campaigns against the British before finally being ‘let go’.
President Michel, in power since 2004 when President Albert Rene stepped down, was first re-elected in 2006 and then again only recently in May 2011, is expected to be at hand during the official flag raising ceremony and will address the nation later that day. Meanwhile many other activities are planned to celebrate 35 years of independence as a sovereign nation, culminating in a school sporting championship at the national stadium in the afternoon.
Congratulations to all my Seychellois friends on Mahe, Praslin, La Digue and the other islands.
