for most and the vast majority, the events of 5 june 1977 coup d'état which will be remembered in history. the establishment of a one party system and abolition of opposition, imprisonment, deportation and confiscation of private properties, land, etc. all those who had to flee for their lives and seek exile and refuge in europe. the attitude of the french, british and other european governments and the media changed. during the next 15 years, from 1977 to 1991, they lived a life of sheer suffering, racial oppression, bitter hardship in diaspora and embitterment. many of the old families who were forced to leave seychelles never returned.