Ugandan-born Faure to become Seychelles president

Ugandan born Danny Faure who is the current Seychelles vice president and Minister of Finance is set to become the country's new president on 16^th October.

This follows Tuesday's announcement by President James Alix Michel that he was stepping down from office, following a constitutional amendment which limits the terms of presidency to 2 terms.

Michel announced in a national televised address of his intention to resign from his post on October 16th.

Michel thanked the people of Seychelles for their support and for the work they accomplished together in the development of the country.

"Many decisions were made this year. One of the decisions was the amendment to the Constitution to limit the terms of the President to two mandates. And tonight I am announcing my decision to resign from the post of President of the Republic," President Michel said in the broadcast.

Michel came to power in April 2004 having served as a Vice President under the France-Albert René regime between 1996 and 2004 was serving his third term following re-election in December in a country occupied by 92,000 inhabitants of the 115-island nation.

Faure was born in Kilembe Mines in Kasese district on May 8 1962. He is a graduate in political sciences from an institution in Cuba.

Faure was Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly from 1993 to 1998, and then served in the cabinet as Minister of Education from 1998 to 2006. He has been the Minister of Finance since 2006 in the cabinet of President Michel. He was appointed as Vice-President in 2010, while retaining the finance portfolio.

Seychelles traces its connection with Uganda to the 19th century when Buganda and Bunyoro revolted against the British Protectorate. In 1899 that revolt was crushed. Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda and Omukama Kabalega of Bunyoro were captured and exiled to the Seychelles.

A number of Ugandan nationals have occupied key positions in the Government of Seychelles and these include Justice Duncan Gaswaga who was re-appointed for the second term as judge of the Seychelles Supreme Court by President Michel.

Gaswaga joined another high flying Ugandan judge, Fredrick Egonda- Ntende, who is currently the country's chief justice.

A number of other Ugandans continue flocking Seychelles for honeymoon and also for formal employment majority of who are lecturers and teachers in the academic institutions.

According to the Constitution, the President may, by writing addressed to the Speaker of the National Assembly, resign from the Office of the President.

The President asked the people of Seychelles to give Faure and his team the same support that they had given him in the last 12 years.

"I will always thank you, people of Seychelles, for your support. Thank you for your trust in me.…At the end of the day, there is nothing more important, more honourable, more noble, than national unity. Let us make national unity our priority. National unity will guide us in our action and illuminate the future of our country."