James Mancham

From New World Encyclopedia

James Mancham
James Mancham


1st President of Seychelles
In office
June 29, 1976 – June 5, 1977
Prime Minister France-Albert René
Preceded by office established
Succeeded by France-Albert René

1st Prime Minister of Seychelles
In office
October 1, 1975 – June 28, 1976
Preceded by Office established
Succeeded by France-Albert René

Chief Minister of the Crown Colony of Seychelles
In office
November 12, 1970 – October 1, 1975
Preceded by Office established
Succeeded by Office abolished

Born August 11 1939(1939-08-11)
Victoria, Seychelles
Died January 8 2017 (aged 77)
Glacis, Seychelles
Political party Seychelles Democratic Party
Spouse Heather Jean Evans (1963-1974)
Catherine Olsen (1985-to death of James Mancham 2017)
Profession Lawyer
Politician
Writer

Sir James Richard Marie Mancham KBE (August 11, 1939 – January 8, 2017) was a Seychellois politician. Committed to the principles of democracy, he founded the Seychelles Democratic Party and was the first President of Seychelles from 1976 to 1977. Despite being ousted in a Marxist coup, Mancham returned to the Seychelles after 15 years of exile to bring about reconciliation, democratic rule, and prosperity to his nation. Active in many international organizations, he continued to serve as a tireless promoter of Seychelles, democracy, and world peace.

Life

James Mancham was the eldest son of Richard and Evelyn (née Tirant) Mancham. After graduating high school and Seychelles College, his father, a successful businessman, sent James to law school in England. He also studied at the University of Paris.

He was called to the Bar in London in 1961. Returning to the Seychelles, he served as barrister and Attorney-at-Law, before the Supreme Court of Seychelles from 1963 to 1967. He served as Chief Minister, Prime Minister, and finally Founding President of the Republic of Seychelles before being ousted by then Prime Minister France-Albert René in 1977.

Mancham married Heather Jean Evans in 1963 and the marriage was dissolved in 1974. They had two children: one daughter (Caroline), and one son (Richard). In 1985, while in exile in London, he remarried, to Catherine Olsen, an Australian journalist working in London, who already had one son (Ben), and with whom he had one son (Alexander).

During his years in exile, Mancham was active as an International Trade Consultant; Joint-venture specialist and entrepreneur; President of Berlin European Airways (1987 to 1990); President of International Promotion Marketing and Development Ltd; (IPMD Ltd.); Director Pembroke Capital Aircraft (Shannon) Ltd.; Consultant Mercandia Shipping BV Ltd.; Consultant to Midland and Scottish Resources (Oil Exploration) Ltd.; Consultant to Germania Flugg GMBH of Germany. He founded The Crusade for Restoration of Democracy in Seychelles and was Lecturer on "The Struggle for Power in the Indian Ocean," to US and European Universities, Civil Organizations and on the cruise ship "Lindblad Explorer."[1] He also participated in international conferences with other former heads of state and religious leaders of diverse faiths through organizations such as the Universal Peace Federation and the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace.[2]

Crowds welcomed James Mancham at the airport on his return from exile.

In 1992 he was able to return to the Seychelles, where he spent the rest of his life working to strengthen democracy there and to promote national reconciliation as well as promoting his nation as a tourist destination for the wealthy. He was known for hosting and attending many guests and diplomats visiting the Seychelles, encouraging them to sing native and popular songs or poetry to lift their spirits.

Mancham died suddenly on January 8, 2017 at age 77.[3][4] He was buried in the State House cemetery on January 12, following a state funeral with full military honors.[5] Both Former Presidents René and Michel were in attendance, confirming reconciliation of the nation.

Career

Statesman

When Britain announced its intention to give independence to the colony, Mancham founded the Democratic Party (S.D.P.).[6] 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. As Seychelles was a member of the Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.), Mancham traveled throughout Africa to O.A.U. meetings, both as Chief Minister of the colony and as President of the Republic, visiting prominent African leaders, including Jomo Kenyatta, Jean Bedel Bokassa, Mobuto Sese Seko, Houphouey Boigny, and Leopold Senghor.[7]

Less than a year in office as President, in June 1977, Mancham was deposed in a coup by Prime Minister France-Albert René, who had the support of Marxist Tanzanian-trained revolutionaries and Tanzanian-supplied weapons, whilst Mancham was in London to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference and to celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Mancham lived in exile in London until April 1992. During this period, Mancham was financially successful in several international business ventures. When he returned to the Seychelles following the lifting of the ban on opposition, he proclaimed himself "Apostle of National Reconciliation," and resumed the promotion of tourism to the tropical islands.

First President of Seychelles James Mancham (left), second President France-Albert René (right) and third, incumbent President of Seychelles James Michel (center) in Victoria's State House at René's 78th birthday party, (Mervyn Marie, Seychelles News Agency).

He ran for president in July 1993 and finished second behind René with 36.72 percent of the vote. In March 1998 he ran again, receiving third place and 13.8 percent of the vote, behind René and Wavel Ramkalawan.[8]

In 2005 he stepped down as leader of the Democratic Party, and spent the rest of his life as a global advocate for peace and reconciliation, speaking often on these topics at international conferences.[9]

Author

Cover of Sir James Mancham's Autobiography.

Mancham was the author of a number of books, among them being Paradise Raped about the June 1977 coup d'état in the Seychelles, War on America: Seen from the Indian Ocean, written after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, his autobiography; Seychelles Global Citizen: The Autobiography of the Founding President, in 2009, and Seychelles: The Saga of a Small Nation Navigating the Cross-Currents of a Big World, in 2015. He established and served as Chairman of the publication VIOAS Voice of the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Mancham also served on the advisory board of International Journal on World Peace. He also loved poetry and published a small book of poems titled Peace of Mind, 2012.

International Organizations

After retiring from Seychelles politics, Mancham became active in many global organizations related to peace, economic development, tourism. Among these, he was significantly involved in the following: American European Community Association (A.E.C.A.); World Association of NGOs (W.A.N.G.O.); World Industrial and Commercial Organizations Summit (W.I.C.O.); European Council for Peace and Development (E.C.P.D.); Universal Peace Federation (U.P.F.); World Future Council (W.F.C.); and World Tourism Organization (W.T.O.). He also participated in many activities associated the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.).[7]

Awards

Mancham received the prestigious International Jurist Award at the International Conference of Jurists 2010. The ceremony took place at the inauguration of the International Conference of Jurists at the Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, India under the distinguished patronage of Indian Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari. Under the theme International Terrorism, the event was jointly organized 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, President of the International Council of Jurists and Chairman of All India Bar Association, said the award for Mr Mancham was to recognize his role in promoting world peace and the pivotal part he 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.[10]

Mancham was also one of the recipients of the Gusi Peace Prize for statesmanship in 2011.[11]

In 2013, Mancham was invited to join the prestigious 'Club de Madrid', a world leadership alliance comprising 92 former democratic heads of State and government who believe in democracy and the promotion of democratic values.[12]

Legacy

Sir James Mancham on obverse of the Seychellois rupee silver coin, 1977

Mancham will be remembered for the many years of his life devoted to the service of his country, from the founding President of the Seychelles as an independent nation to his efforts to promote democracy and peace: “He carried high the banner of his conviction and whose principles helped shaped the modern and peaceful Seychelles of today. He contributed tremendously to the independence of Seychelles and played a central role to the country’s move to multi-party democracy,” said Seychelles Designated Minister, Macsuzy Mondon following Mancham's passing.[5]

In his eulogy at Mancham's funeral, the Roman Catholic Bishop Denis Wiehe noted that although Mancham has been active before he died, “It is only now that with his passing away that we fully realize the important role he had played in the history of Seychelles for the past 50 years."[5]

Mancham's role calling for reconciliation in his nation following his return from exile is one that was remarkable and much needed in contemporary times, as well as one that has been needed throughout human history: “The call for reconciliation comes from far away and has biblical roots since the bible continuously calls us to conversion and repentance, not to seek revenge.”[5]

Major Works

  • Paradise Raped. 1983. Methuen Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0413529008
  • War on America Seen from the Indian Ocean. 2001. Paragon House. ISBN 978-1557788153
  • The Future of Peace in the Twenty-First Century. 2003. Carolina Academic Press. ISBN 978-0890892114 (Co-edited with Nicholas N. Kittrie)
  • Seychelles Global Citizen: The Autobiography of the Founding President. 2009. Paragon House. ISBN 978-1557788870
  • Seychelles: The Saga of a Small Nation Navigating the Cross-Currents of a Big World. 2015. Paragon House. ISBN 978-1557789150

Notes

  1. Sir James R. Mancham. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  2. Lelei LeLaulu, A Man for All Regions Book Review by The Washington Times, September 24, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  3. Rassin Vannier and Betymie Bonnelame, Former Seychelles’ president James Mancham dies at residence Seychelles News Agency, Victoria, Seychelles, January 8, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  4. Seychelles Founding President passed away ETN Global Travel Industry News, January 8, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Daniel Laurence and Betymie Bonnelame, Seychelles’ first president, James Mancham, laid to rest at State House cemetery Seychelles News Agency, Victoria, Seychelles, January 12, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  6. Obituary: Sir James Richard Marie Mancham (August 11, 1939 – January 8, 2017 Seychelles-eNews, January 9, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  7. 7.0 7.1 James Mancham, Seychelles Global Citizen: The Autobiography of the Founding President of the Republic of Seychelles, Paragon House, 2009. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  8. Elections in the Seychelles, African Elections Database. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  9. George Thande, Mixed reactions to plans for moving Liberation monument Seychelles News Agency, April 4, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  10. Mancham receives prestigious world peace award Seychelles-eNews, December 14, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  11. Former Seychelles president to receive peace award ETN Global Travel Industry News, June 20, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  12. Mancham invited to join prestigious ‘Club de Madrid’ Seychelles EU Connection, October 28, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2017.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Lee, Christopher. Seychelles: Political Castaways. Elm Tree Books, 1976. ISBN 978-0241894408
  • McAtee, William. To Be A Nation: The History of the Seychelles 1920-1976. Pristine Books, 2008. ISBN 978-9993180920
  • Pothin, Andy (ed.). The Sayings of James R. Mancham. Mahe Publications Ltd, 2002. ASIN B000K2MXSK

External links

All links retrieved March 19, 2018.


Political offices
Preceded by:
post created
Prime Minister of Seychelles
1970-1976
Succeeded by:
France-Albert René
Preceded by:
post created
President of Seychelles
1976–1977
Succeeded by:
France-Albert René

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