Is the Syndicate backing United Seychelles?
The enigmatic ‘Syndicate’ is back, this time, minus their usual skulls and artefacts, although the rhetoric remains as forceful as ever. The self-proclaimed local ‘Syndicate’, is a group of anonymous individuals who have been calling for Danny Faure to step down, call fresh elections and have generally done so using the theatrics of displaying skulls with accompanying notes stating their demands. Said notes have sometimes made some so called disclosures and allegations.
True to its tradition, the latest video clip from the syndicate is filled with threats and calls for immediate action – the twist in the tail this time is the recipient. The Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) presidential candidate, Wavel Ramkalawan is the target of the video, being accused of many wrong doings among which is adultery! LDS as a party does not come out smelling of roses either!
The videos include accusations of nepotism, as the LDS Anse Etoile candidate, is none other than Ahmed Afif’s (LDS Vice presidential candidate) brother in law, George Romain. It is alluded in the clip, that the LDS has ensured that the parliamentary seat remains in the Afif family, with this latest decision to catapult Romain into the political scene. It must be noted that the previous viable candidate for the traditionally opposition district would have been Stella Afif – Ahmed’s wife and the longstanding SNP activist Desheila who has now been named as the Ile Perseverance candidate. Due to the tireless campaigning and her vociferous nature, it was assumed that Stella Afif would indeed ascend to the throne in the district deemed a safe seat for LDS.
Unsurprisingly, James Michel with his new found love for freedom and change in the country that has forced him to endorse LDS also makes a cameo appearance in the clip. The clip is quick to cite the reasons behind the LDS 15/10 victory in 2015, principally being James Michel aka Boboy’s inept government, rampant corruption and a general need for change. The group is as baffled as anyone else as to how Michel has been welcomed into the LDS fold with open arms.
With a nod to the latest US clips circulating, showing Ramkalawan’s disdain for offering methadone to the 6,000 known addicts, sending them to detox ‘cold turkey’ – the Syndicate has also used the excerpt to drive this particular point home.
The Syndicate’s complete about turn leaves many to question as to whether this is indeed the same group that had kept people wondering these last couple of years, or whether it is an attempt by US to try and sway people into its way of thinking. Although generally people are pleased that there are no more skulls making an unwanted appearance every time the Syndicate wants to get a message across, the lack is raising a series of red flags. It could also be argued that there are only so many skulls that one may have access to!
On the other hand, the sudden influx of ex SPPF/Parti Lepep/US notorious supporters, many of which have other sinister reasons to hop on the LDS bandwagon – apart from wanting a genuine change – could have upset staunch opposition supporters. One staunch SNP supporter has complained at the rate things are going very soon US will have no perceived corruption ring leaders amongst its ranks as all seem to be defecting to LDS, which was created to fight corruption.
Meanwhile, the latest offering from The Syndicate, has people wondering as to who they are and how they have managed to remain anonymous all this time. One things that is for sure is that they never cease to shock!
