France-Albert René
Encyclopedia
France-Albert René was the long-time socialist
President of Seychelles
from 1977 to 2004. He is known by government officials and party members as "the Boss". His name is often given as simply Albert René or F.A. René; he is also nicknamed Ti France.
, England and at King's College London
before serving as a lawyer in Seychelles from 1957 to 1961. While abroad, he became heavily involved in the politics of the Labour Party
, at the time led by Clement Attlee
and later Hugh Gaitskell
. These experiences led him to adopt a moderate socialist ideology that favoured some state intervention in the economy and strong ties with conservative forces such as the Roman Catholic Church
(René's initial career goal was to join the priesthood). Later Rene denounced local church leaders who criticised his policies. He formed the Seychelles People's United Party (the forerunner to today's Seychelles People's Progressive Front
) in 1964.
In 1976, he became the country's prime minister under President James Mancham
following assembly elections which the SPUP came in second place. On 5 June 1977, partisan supporters of René installed him as president in a coup d'état
. After coming to power, René declared that he was not a Soviet-style Communist, but rather an "Indian Ocean socialist." Early on he opposed the Anglo-American military installation on the nearby island of Diego Garcia
because of the possible storage of nuclear weapons and alleged detention of terrorist suspects at that location.
René's party was the sole legal political party in the country from 1979 to 1993 which allowed him to win presidential elections in 1979
, 1984
, 1989
and 1993. In 1998 and 2001
, he won against opposition, latterly the candidate of the Seychelles National Party
, Wavel Ramkalawan
.
In 1979, a planned invasion of Seychelles by supporters of Mancham with the assistance of American diplomatic staff in Kenya and Seychelles was discovered before it could be carried out. An official investigation also implicated France with involvement in the coup.
On 25 November 1981, Seychellois security forces put down a coup attempt sponsored by South Africa
. "Mad Mike" Hoare
and 43 others posed as members of the "Ancient Order of Froth Blowers", a defunct charitable beer-drinking fraternity, visiting the islands as tourists. Shortly after leaving their Royal Swazi National Airways
aircraft, an airport security guard spotted a Kalashnikov
assault rifle in their luggage; the discovery launched a gun battle in which hostages were taken. Most of the mercenaries escaped after hijacking another plane sitting on the runway. An independent inquiry by the United Nations
found that South African intelligence was indeed behind the coup; Hoare described the reaction he received from a CIA agent in Pretoria as "extremely timid", however it is suspected that the United States played a significant direct role in the incident, and there was cooperation at the time between the CIA and the South African government on other issues. Three million dollars were paid to President René and his government by South Africa for the return of the remaining mercenaries detained in Seychelles. The 1981 attempt was the second major threat to his government at that point in time, and there were two other unsuccessful coup attempts in 1986 and 1987.
, and helped build one of the continent's highest gross domestic product
s per capita. His supporters believe that he had solid social priorities, including his government's extensive funding of education, health care and the environment. Critical indicators such as infant mortality, literacy rate, and economic well-being are among the best in the continent. During his rule, the Seychelles avoided the volatile political climate and underdevelopment in neighbouring island countries such as the Comoros and Madagascar. His critics believe that he and his party are responsible for systematic torture and other human rights abuses involving opponents of the government, allegedly including the death of a prominent dissident in London, Gérard Hoarau
. After the 1977 coup, a significant portion of the population (including the deposed President Mancham) fled to the UK and South Africa due to political persecution and fear of the new government's alignment with the Soviet Union
, Tanzania
and North Korea
. René also faced international pressure regarding his government's former requirement that all applicants to the country's secondary education system graduate a compulsory National Youth Service
which included traditional curricula, political education and, according to critics, ideological indoctrination and paramilitary training. This requirement was disbanded after the transition to multiparty rule and the organization was eventually abolished entirely. According to various reports, cronyism, corruption and impunity for law-breaking were problems during René's almost three decades of rule.
On 24 February 2004, René announced that he would be stepping down in favour of Vice President
James Michel
. He did so on 14 April 2004. For the time being, he continues as leader of the People's Progressive Front.
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
President of Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
from 1977 to 2004. He is known by government officials and party members as "the Boss". His name is often given as simply Albert René or F.A. René; he is also nicknamed Ti France.
Early life
René was educated at St Mary's College in SouthamptonSouthampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, England and at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
before serving as a lawyer in Seychelles from 1957 to 1961. While abroad, he became heavily involved in the politics of the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
, at the time led by Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
and later Hugh Gaitskell
Hugh Gaitskell
Hugh Todd Naylor Gaitskell CBE was a British Labour politician, who held Cabinet office in Clement Attlee's governments, and was the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from 1955, until his death in 1963.-Early life:He was born in Kensington, London, the third and youngest...
. These experiences led him to adopt a moderate socialist ideology that favoured some state intervention in the economy and strong ties with conservative forces such as the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
(René's initial career goal was to join the priesthood). Later Rene denounced local church leaders who criticised his policies. He formed the Seychelles People's United Party (the forerunner to today's Seychelles People's Progressive Front
Seychelles People's Progressive Front
The People's Party is a socialist political party in Seychelles. It publishes a newspaper called The People. It was known as the Seychelles People's Progressive Front until June 2009....
) in 1964.
In 1976, he became the country's prime minister under President James Mancham
James Mancham
Sir James Richard Marie Mancham KBE was the first President of Seychelles from 1976 to 1977.-Political background:...
following assembly elections which the SPUP came in second place. On 5 June 1977, partisan supporters of René installed him as president in a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
. After coming to power, René declared that he was not a Soviet-style Communist, but rather an "Indian Ocean socialist." Early on he opposed the Anglo-American military installation on the nearby island of Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia
Diego Garcia is a tropical, footprint-shaped coral atoll located south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean at 7 degrees, 26 minutes south latitude. It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory [BIOT] and is positioned at 72°23' east longitude....
because of the possible storage of nuclear weapons and alleged detention of terrorist suspects at that location.
Single-party state and coups d'état
Seychellois general election, 1979
General elections were held in the Seychelles between 23 and 26 June 1979 to elect a President and National Assembly. Following a coup in 1977, the Seychelles People's Progressive Front was the sole legal party at the time...
, 1984
Seychellois presidential election, 1984
Presidential elections were held in the Seychelles on 17 June 1984. Following a coup in 1977, the Seychelles People's Progressive Front was the sole legal party, and its leader, France-Albert René, was the only candidate in the election. He was re-elected with 92.6% of the votes on a 95.9%...
, 1989
Seychellois presidential election, 1989
Presidential elections were held in the Seychelles in June 1989. Following a coup in 1977, the Seychelles People's Progressive Front was the sole legal party, and its leader, France-Albert René, was the only candidate in the election. He was re-elected with 96.1% of the votes on a 91.5%...
and 1993. In 1998 and 2001
Seychellois presidential election, 2001
Presidential elections were held in Seychelles on 31 August and 2 September 2001. They were won by the incumbent president, France-Albert René, who beat his nearest rival Wavel Ramkalawan by just under 5,000 votes....
, he won against opposition, latterly the candidate of the Seychelles National Party
Seychelles National Party
The Seychelles National Party is a liberal political party in Seychelles. Its followers emphasize active multiparty democracy, respect for human rights and liberal economic reforms. It was founded in response to what it called the "totalitarian regime" of former President France-Albert René...
, Wavel Ramkalawan
Wavel Ramkalawan
Wavel Ramkalawan is a politician of the Seychelles.-Early life:Wavel Ramkalawan was born in Mahé, the principal island of Seychelles. He was born into a modest family, the youngest of three children. His father was a metalworker and his mother a teacher...
.
In 1979, a planned invasion of Seychelles by supporters of Mancham with the assistance of American diplomatic staff in Kenya and Seychelles was discovered before it could be carried out. An official investigation also implicated France with involvement in the coup.
On 25 November 1981, Seychellois security forces put down a coup attempt sponsored by South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. "Mad Mike" Hoare
Mike Hoare
Thomas Michael Hoare is an Irish mercenary leader known for military activities in Africa and his failed attempt to conduct a coup d'état in the Seychelles.-Early life and military career:...
and 43 others posed as members of the "Ancient Order of Froth Blowers", a defunct charitable beer-drinking fraternity, visiting the islands as tourists. Shortly after leaving their Royal Swazi National Airways
Royal Swazi National Airways
Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation was the national airline of the Kingdom of Swaziland. Headquartered in Mbabane with its operational base at Matsapha Airport near Manzini, the airline was founded in 1978.-History:...
aircraft, an airport security guard spotted a Kalashnikov
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
assault rifle in their luggage; the discovery launched a gun battle in which hostages were taken. Most of the mercenaries escaped after hijacking another plane sitting on the runway. An independent inquiry by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
found that South African intelligence was indeed behind the coup; Hoare described the reaction he received from a CIA agent in Pretoria as "extremely timid", however it is suspected that the United States played a significant direct role in the incident, and there was cooperation at the time between the CIA and the South African government on other issues. Three million dollars were paid to President René and his government by South Africa for the return of the remaining mercenaries detained in Seychelles. The 1981 attempt was the second major threat to his government at that point in time, and there were two other unsuccessful coup attempts in 1986 and 1987.
Legacy
René led his country to the point of being the most developed country in Africa, as measured by the Human Development IndexHuman Development Index
The Human Development Index is a composite statistic used to rank countries by level of "human development" and separate "very high human development", "high human development", "medium human development", and "low human development" countries...
, and helped build one of the continent's highest gross domestic product
Gross domestic product
Gross domestic product refers to the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period. GDP per capita is often considered an indicator of a country's standard of living....
s per capita. His supporters believe that he had solid social priorities, including his government's extensive funding of education, health care and the environment. Critical indicators such as infant mortality, literacy rate, and economic well-being are among the best in the continent. During his rule, the Seychelles avoided the volatile political climate and underdevelopment in neighbouring island countries such as the Comoros and Madagascar. His critics believe that he and his party are responsible for systematic torture and other human rights abuses involving opponents of the government, allegedly including the death of a prominent dissident in London, Gérard Hoarau
Gérard Hoarau
Gérard Hoarau was an opposition leader in the Seychelles as head of the Seychelles National Movement, which sought the peaceful overthrow of the France-Albert René regime. His opposition was based in London and began emerging as leader in 1981. He was assassinated in 1985 in London. The English...
. After the 1977 coup, a significant portion of the population (including the deposed President Mancham) fled to the UK and South Africa due to political persecution and fear of the new government's alignment with the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
and North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. René also faced international pressure regarding his government's former requirement that all applicants to the country's secondary education system graduate a compulsory National Youth Service
National Youth Service
The National Youth Service was a heavily-criticized program implemented by the government of Seychelles. It was formerly compulsory and included traditional educational curriculum, political education and paramilitary training...
which included traditional curricula, political education and, according to critics, ideological indoctrination and paramilitary training. This requirement was disbanded after the transition to multiparty rule and the organization was eventually abolished entirely. According to various reports, cronyism, corruption and impunity for law-breaking were problems during René's almost three decades of rule.
On 24 February 2004, René announced that he would be stepping down in favour of Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
James Michel
James Michel
Colonel James Alix Michel is a Seychellois politician who has been President of Seychelles since April 16, 2004. He previously served as Vice-President under his predecessor, France-Albert René, from 1996 to 2004...
. He did so on 14 April 2004. For the time being, he continues as leader of the People's Progressive Front.
External links
- Seychelles People's Progressive Front
- Website of The People newspaper and SPPF Museum (pro-René; he formerly edited the publication)