United States: The American Dream with Donald Trump seen by a Seychelles President

On Wednesday 9th November, 2016, it was confirmed that following a melo-dramatic campaign that Donald Trump had been elected the 45th President of the United States of America. Although Hillary Clinton had received additional popular votes at the national level than Mr Trump, the American system delivered additional colligates support to Donald Trump and in fact the Republican Party succeeded as well to win a majority of seats in both Congress and the Senate.

Following this election which left the USA sadly divided, it was pertinent to observe that in the final analysis, President-elect Trump, Hillary Clinton and the current President Barack Obama all spoke within the spirit of “The Americans dream is large enough for everyone,” and that the system would allow the US to see a peaceful transfer of power. I do hope so!

Seven years ago at the same time as Hillary Clinton was made Secretary of National by President Barack Obama, I sent her a copy of my book ‘War on America – seen from the Indian Ocean’ which I had written to help Americans understand how people in other parts of the world are impacted by a United States’ foreign policy that often seems arbitrary, self-serving and inconsistent with the ideals of democracy. My comments were considered as informative and constructive for anyone interested in creating a better world and a additional coherent US foreign policy that will lead to a additional peaceful world, prevent a recurrence of terrorist attacks on America and revive the high prestige which the USA enjoyed internationally during the time of President John F. Kennedy.

What were the concerns I was conveying to Secretary of National Clinton?

Well, as is common knowledge, I have made it a point of principle over the years to criticize the US Government for abruptly closing down its embassy in Seychelles at the end of the Cold War. During that period, the US operated a US Tracking-cum-Spying Station on the island of Mahé and had established an embassy in Seychelles with a fully accredited Ambassador.

The reason given by the again Secretary of National Madeleine Albright was that the money spent on an embassy in Seychelles was required for her to open up embassies in such cities as Sofia in Bulgaria and Bucharest in Romania next the break down of the Soviet Union. This of course sent to us in Seychelles the message that the embassy in Seychelles was only there to serve what the US perceived as its national interest as opposed to promoting and maintaining friendly ties with our people. It was a case of a powerful large brother slapping a small brother in the face.

In February 2009, Secretary of National Clinton in her letter to me stated – “…..As I embark upon my new role, I look forward to strengthening the partnership between the Republic of Seychelles and the United States…..”

That this appears to be the case is revealed in the message of congratulations which Seychelles actual President Danny Faure sent yesterday to President-elect Donald Trump – “……Our two nations enjoy a long history of deep rooted ties and friendly relations. Over the years, this esteemed partnership has been invigorated by mutual values such as social evolution, justice, freedom and equality which have served to support and reinforce the foundations from which we draw our common perspective…..”

However, President Faure made it a point not to mention the field of diplomacy. Sadly to say that up to presently the United States have still not reopen its embassy in Seychelles. If China, India, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and even Cuba can justify their embassy here, I see no reason as to why the Seychelles should be a ‘blank spot’ on the US Ambassadorial map. The argument that it cannot afford to do so because of budgetary constraint is not justifiable nor reasonable. Seychelles is a neighbour of Diego Garcia where the US has established a sophisticated naval-cum-airforce base. The US naval ships are regular visitors to Port Victoria and until some months ago, the US was utilizing Seychelles as a base for its drone operations within the region.

I do hope and pray that next settling down President Trump and his Secretary of National will call for the dossier of US-Seychelles relationship.

So far as President-elect Trump himself is concerned, I remember conference him once at a social reception I was attending at the magnificent and impressive Trump’s Tower which he had financed and constructed in New York City. This multi-million dollars edifice at that time was the majority-talked about development in New York.

I remember the next day scribbling in the little book of maxims which I was carrying to pen up my thoughts and reflections as I travelled across the USA on a lecture tour – “Trump’s Tower in New York is a magnificent symbol of man’s achievements on Earth – but the green creepers which have been planted to adorn its tall walls, remain a perpetual reminder of nature’s better force and of God’s overriding power.”

I do hope that in discharging the high office of the 45th President of the United States, President Donald Trump will always be mindful of “Nature’s better force and of God’s overriding power,” in a USA which is today crying for national unity – in a USA which today needs additional of an holistic rather than a materialistic leadership.

May God continue to bless America.

Sir James R. Mancham
Founding President of the Republic of Seychelles
Recipient of the Gusi Peace Prize for Statesmanship – 2011
Recipient of the Africa Peace Award – 2016