Seychelles’ President James Michel announced on September 27, 2016, his resignation from his party “Le Lepep”, as opposition won legislative elections. His resignation will take effect next October 16. It is the first time that the opposition gets the majority in parliament since 1993 when the multiparty system returned.

“After 12 years as president, the time has come for me to leave my position to another leader. One that will take Seychelles to the next stage of development,” he said on TV.

The 72-year old president James Michel, ex-Vice president of France Albert-René, replaced the latter after he resigned in 2004. Under the constitution, Michel will be replaced by Vice-president Danny Faure who will lead for a 5-year term.

Michel’s decision to resign is subsequent to the bad results he had in the presidential polls of December 2015. Indeed, he won the elections with 50.15% of vote - 193 votes more than his rival, Wavel Ramkalawan.

Alain Okpeitcha