TNAG-0595-FCO40-742-Principles-and-procedures-of-granting-independence-1977 — Page 24

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SEYCHELLES AND INDEPENDENCE

The Movement Towards Independence (1970–1975)

1.

At the end of 1973 Seychelles was still firmly a British Colony. The Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) led by James Mancham had won the 1970 elections on a programme of integration with the United Kingdom. The opposition Seychelles Peoples' United Party (SPUP), who wanted immediate independence, had only 5 seats against the SDP's 10. The SPUP's leaders seemed discredited. Albert René was under suspicion of complicity in a politically inspired bomb explosion at the Reef Hotel in 1971.

2. But underneath, the SDP and their policies were less secure and despite their overwhelming parliamentary majority they only had 53% of the popular vote to the SPUP's 47%. The SPUP had an undertaking from the British Government that the electoral system would be "looked at" before the next elections. After the 1970 elections they had claimed, and Mancham himself may have believed, that but for gerrymandering by the SDP and the British, the SPUP would have got a majority of the popular vote. The SPUP also had support and money from the OAU and had made

first contacts with the Soviet Union.

3.

The SDP's policy of integration with Britain was a non- starter. Mr Mancham had been told by the British Minister responsible, Mr Kershaw, by the Governor and by the department that it was not on, and that, if he wished to continue the colonial connections in its present form, he would be well advised to seek the help of the more moderate members of the OAU. Only they could counter the SPUP's propaganda and convince the Organisation that continued colonial association was the genuine wish of the people of Seychelles. With British help in 1973

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/ Mr Mancham