TNAG-0595-FCO40-742-Principles-and-procedures-of-granting-independence-1977 — Page 11

CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION VICTORIA

9 June 1977

MIK Ewans Esq

East African Department

Foreign & Commonwealth Office LONDON SW1

My Dear Mesli.

COUP

1. You will not expect at this date a full analysis, but something on the following lines took place. The extreme left wing of the SPUP had been preparing over a period in the expectation of an opportunity to overthrow Mr Mancham's government. The preparations included intensive training in arms of 30 or 40 Seychellois, possibly more, either on an outer island or in Tanzania. Selected middle and senior cadre police officers with SPUP sympathies were suborned.

2..

A likely opportunity was identified for Sunday 5 June. As I have said before, the taking of Seychelles from within or without would not be difficult provided there was competent preparation and planning. This was so in the present instance. What made 5 June different from earlier dates was the absence from Seychelles not only of the President but also all his ministers save two and a number of key pro-Mancham officials in the departments. also happened that all SPUP ministers were in Seychelles.

3.

It

The opportunity gained significance because Mancham had provided a presentational reason for a change of leadership. He had been working towards

CONFIDENTIAL

/an announcement