James Mancham
Encyclopedia
Sir James Richard Marie Mancham KBE
(born August 11, 1939, Victoria, Seychelles
, then a colony of the United Kingdom
) was the first President of Seychelles from 1976 to 1977.
. When Britain announced its intention to give independence to the colony, Mancham founded the Democratic Party
(S.D.P.), and served as its leader until February 2005. France-Albert René
founded an opposition party, the Seychelles People's United Party (S.P.U.P) with the support of the Soviet Union
. As Chief Minister of the colony, Mancham promoted tourism to the Seychelles and arranged for the building of the airport that was to make the Seychelles accessible to the rest of the world. Tourism increased and the economy developed. In 1976, Mancham won the popular vote when the British gave the Seychelles independence. Less than a year later, in June 1977, he was deposed in a coup by Prime Minister France-Albert René
, who had the support of Tanzania
n-trained revolutionaries and Tanzanian-supplied weapons, whilst Mancham was attending the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Conference in London
.
Mancham lived in exile in London until April 1992. During this period, Mancham was financially successful in several international business ventures and married Catherine Olsen, an Australian journalist working in London. When he returned to the Seychelles following the lifting of the ban on opposition, he resumed the promotion of tourism to the tropical islands.
He ran for president in July 1993 and finished second behind René with 36.72% of the vote. In March 1998 he ran again, receiving third place and 13.8% of the vote, behind René and Wavel Ramkalawan
.
, and most recently his memoirs; Seychelles Global Citizen: The Autobiography of the Founding President.
Sir James R. Mancham is also a member of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
advisory board.
In a welcoming speech Dr. Adish Aggarwala
, President of the International Council of Jurists and Chairman of All India Bar Association, said the award for Mr Mancham was to recognise his role in promoting world peace and the pivotal part he has played in helping to settle international disputes.
“He is a visionary statesman who has influenced many world leaders with his contemporary philosophy and outlook,” said Dr Aggarwala.http://www.seychellesweekly.com/December%2019,%202010/top2_mancham.html
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born August 11, 1939, Victoria, Seychelles
Victoria, Seychelles
Victoria is the capital city of the Seychelles and is situated on the north-eastern side of Mahé island, which is the main island of the archipelago. The city was first established as the seat of the British colonial government...
, then a colony of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) was the first President of Seychelles from 1976 to 1977.
Political background
James' father, Richard Mancham, a successful businessman, sent James to law school in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. When Britain announced its intention to give independence to the colony, Mancham founded the Democratic Party
Seychelles Democratic Party
The Seychelles Democratic Party is a political party in Seychelles. It was founded by Sir James Mancham in 1964, and governed the country from 1976 to 1977. After a time in exile in the United Kingdom, Mancham returned to the islands following the Seychelles' transition to democracy in 1993. He has...
(S.D.P.), and served as its leader until February 2005. France-Albert René
France-Albert René
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...
founded an opposition party, the Seychelles People's United Party (S.P.U.P) with the support of 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....
. As Chief Minister of the colony, Mancham promoted tourism to the Seychelles and arranged for the building of the airport that was to make the Seychelles accessible to the rest of the world. Tourism increased and the economy developed. In 1976, Mancham won the popular vote when the British gave the Seychelles independence. Less than a year later, in June 1977, he was deposed in a coup by Prime Minister France-Albert René
France-Albert René
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...
, who had the support of 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...
n-trained revolutionaries and Tanzanian-supplied weapons, whilst Mancham was attending the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
Heads of Government Conference in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Mancham lived in exile in London until April 1992. During this period, Mancham was financially successful in several international business ventures and married Catherine Olsen, an Australian journalist working in London. When he returned to the Seychelles following the lifting of the ban on opposition, he resumed the promotion of tourism to the tropical islands.
He ran for president in July 1993 and finished second behind René with 36.72% of the vote. In March 1998 he ran again, receiving third place and 13.8% of the vote, behind René and 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...
.
Other activity
Mancham is the author of three books, Paradise Raped about the 1977 coup, War on America: Seen from the Indian Ocean, written after the September 11 attacks in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and most recently his memoirs; Seychelles Global Citizen: The Autobiography of the Founding President.
Sir James R. Mancham is also a member of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy is an international, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Berlin. Founded in 1999 by Mark Donfried, its activities focus on promoting and developing the field of cultural diplomacy by conducting research, initiatives and programs, holding...
advisory board.
Awards
Mancham received the prestigious International Jurists Award for world peace at the International Conference of Jurists 2010. The ceremony took place at the inauguration of the International Conference of Jurists at the Vigyan Bhawan under the distinguished patronage of Indian Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari. Under the theme International Terrorism, the event was jointly organised by the International Council of Jurists, the National Human Rights Commission of India, the All India Bar Association and Indian Council of Jurists.In a welcoming speech Dr. Adish Aggarwala
Adish Aggarwala
Dr. Adish C. Aggarwala is jurist and the President of . Aggarwala is a Senior Additional Advocate General of Haryana and Additional Advocate General of State Punjab. He serves as Senior Central Government Counsel in the Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court...
, President of the International Council of Jurists and Chairman of All India Bar Association, said the award for Mr Mancham was to recognise his role in promoting world peace and the pivotal part he has played in helping to settle international disputes.
“He is a visionary statesman who has influenced many world leaders with his contemporary philosophy and outlook,” said Dr Aggarwala.http://www.seychellesweekly.com/December%2019,%202010/top2_mancham.html