Rene and Postcolonial Seychelles: An African Chameleon in the Indian Ocean

France-Albert René was the second post-independence leader of Seychelles, who oversaw the nation's transition to democracy after over a decade of his brutal dictatorship. He presented himself as a socialist in the Cold War but transitioned to build Africas most successful relationship with international lenders and developed Seychelles as a major offshore tax haven. He also sustained and cultivated Seychelles' position as a Western tourism-based economy. Robinson outlines René's use of political violence and extrajudicial killing and his unique relationship with transnational, organized crime, including his links with the New York mafia, Italian organized crime interests, and even helping to arm the Rwandan genocide. Nevertheless, René avoided the self-isolation of Rhodesia and South Africa, endowed racial harmony, enabled women to advance politically and socially, and left Seychelles with high incomes, currency convertibility, and robust human and physical infrastructure.

Format: Hardback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

France-Albert René, the second post-independence leader of Seychelles, played a pivotal role in overseeing the nation's transition from a brutal dictatorship to democracy after over a decade of rule. René's career spanned forty-three years, from the country's independence in 1976 until his peaceful death. Initially presenting himself as a socialist during the Cold War, he later shifted his focus to establishing Africa's most successful relationship with international lenders, while also developing Seychelles as a major offshore tax haven. Additionally, he sustained and cultivated Seychelles' position as a Western tourism-based economy.

Robinson delves into the darker aspects of René's reign, including his use of political violence and extrajudicial killing. He also explores René's unique relationship with transnational, organized crime, including his links with the New York mafia, Italian organized crime interests, and even his involvement in helping to arm the Rwandan genocide. Despite these controversial aspects, René managed to avoid the self-isolation of Rhodesia and South Africa, fostering racial harmony and enabling women to advance politically and socially.

René's legacy is significant, as he left Seychelles with high incomes, currency convertibility, and robust human and physical infrastructure. This book is an essential read for anyone with an interest in the history of Seychelles, as well as scholars of postcolonial states, African studies, microstates, and the Indian Ocean region.

Weight: 620g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032266831