Friday, September 12, 2014

SEYCHELLES DISAPPEARANCE; EX-POLICE OFFICER REVEALS NEW INFORMATION THAT INDICATES MURDER?

On August 17th 1982, the people of Seychelles woke up to learn that overnight a group of soldiers had taken control of the radio station at Union Vale and were making demands of the President of the Republic, Mr René. It was one of the worst nightmares the population of Mahe had ever lived through. This would be known as THE ARMY REBELLION OF 1982.

The Terrorists; Albert Rene and James Michel

The mutiny involved 300 soldiers based at the Union Vale army camp. The camp itself was created on 15 November 1979 out of the former Union Vale Prison. However, instead of the soldiers moving in on that date, the cells were emptied to accommodate 100 political detainees who were to be detained without charge or trial over a period of a year on the orders of President Albert Rene. The detainees included DP leader Paul Chow and MPR (Mouvement Pour La Resistance) leader Gerard Hoarau, were guarded by the Seychellois soldiers under the command of Tanzanian soldiers.

According to international press reports eight people were killed during the rebellion including five rebel soldiers, two civilians and one loyal soldier. It is not known how many Tanzanian soldiers were killed, although there are stories of a number of them being killed in a fire fight near Cable and Wireless. One injured rebel leader committed suicide with his revolver on his hospital bed. A week after the incident a reporter for the Times of London reported that a number of mutineers were unaccounted for.

There existed knowledge of only one young rebel soldier who is unaccounted but not to the authorities.  Sub-lieutenant Andrew Pouponneau, who was last seen in handcuffs at the Bel Eau army headquarters in perfect condition, disappeared never to be seen again. When they approached the government, his relatives were told that he was injured and was at the Union Vale barrack receiving treatment. But when they asked to see him they were denied permission.

The surviving rebels were court-martialled, sentenced to prison terms of varying length and dismissed from the army. Their prison was specially constructed on Coetivy Island, a coral island 150 miles from Mahe. The “ring leaders” were released just before the return to multiparty system in 1991 after serving 9 years.

Now new information has come to light.

A local newspaper is reporting that an Ex-Police officer from Anse Aux Pins has revealed to them new information on what really happened to Andrew Pouponneau. The Ex-Police officer claims that “I think this young man was killed. The army can answer that question for you more precisely since he was in their care.” The Ex-Police officer is also willing to testify before a Truth and Reconciliation Committee if the Government ever has courage to set one up.


The former Police Officer said he recalled that Mr Pouponneau gave himself up to the authorities. “He came to the Central Police station to give himself up. He was not arrested or detained. We asked him to wait in the inquiry room whilst the inspector in charge called the Bel Eau army camp to inform them about the development”.

It did not take long for the military jeep to arrive at the police station. “When he left the police station he was handcuffed. His hands were behind his back. He was seated at the back of the jeep together with the Sergeant and the private, whilst the Lieutenant sat on the passenger front seat”. “I remember then talking amongst ourselves, saying the poor man is going to suffer a serious beating” stated the Ex-Police officer.

It was then claimed that Mr Pouponneau had jumped out of the vehicle and escaped when they reached The Riverside junction at National house totally contradicting what the Government were to later tell his relatives.  The Ex-Police officer said there was even an announcement on Radio Sesel asking for anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr Pouponneau to come forward. “That I cannot comprehend nor believe. How can someone with his hands handcuffed behind his back jump from a moving vehicle and manage to get away?” the former police officer asked.

Today, a handful of people in powerful positions can and should shed light on the fate of Mr Pouponneau, if only to his relatives. Their gesture would surely be from the heart, if only so the family of this young man can have closure.