(Seychelles News Agency) - From the time when the first colonists settled in the islands in the 1770s, many events have taken place that has helped make Seychelles what is today. SNA looks at seven significant events marking Seychelles' history. 

Official opening of the International Airport 1972

The Seychelles International Airport located on the main island Mahe was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II on March 20, 1972. The airport opened a new source of revenue -- tourism -- for the archipelago which had been heavily dependent on plantations. With more visitors to the islands, there was the need to build tourism infrastructures such as hotels, roads and port facilities and improve the water and electricity supplies. 

(Gerard Larose, Seychelles Tourism Board) Photo License: CC-BY

 Independence of 1976

On June 29, 1976, Seychelles gained independence from Britain and became a republic. The late James Mancham became president and France Albert Rene nominated as the prime minister.

(Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency)  Photo License: CC-BY

Coup d’état of 1977

Almost a year after independence, on June 5, 1977, France Albert Rene took power through a coup d’état and turned Seychelles into a one-party socialist state. 

(Seychelles Nation) Photo License: CC-BY

Educational Reforms of 1981

In a comprehensive review of the education system in Seychelles in 1981 education became free and compulsory for children between ages of 6 to 16. All children after the reform had to attend public schools in their districts. This included six years of primary education followed by five years of secondary education.

Multi-party system of 1993

After 16 years as a one-party state, a multi-party system was introduced in 1993.  That same year, the people of Seychelles went to the polls to vote on a new constitution, elect a new president and representatives for a National Assembly -- the legislative body. That was the beginning of the Third Republic of Seychelles.

(Joe Laurence, Seychelles News Agency)  Photo License: CC-BY

Economic Reforms of 2008

In November 2008 Seychelles embarked on a macroeconomic reform programme to address external debt difficulties. The island nation requested the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to put the domestic economy on a sustainable path. The series of monetary and economic reforms meant less money in the people’s pocket and the environment to start a business became more difficult.

(Gerard Larose, Seychelles Tourism Board)  Photo License: CC-BY

 National Assembly Elections of 2016

The election of September 2016 was historic in the sense that it was the first time since the introduction of the in 1993 that an opposition wins the majority seats in the national assembly. The opposition coalition -- Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) -- won 15 of the 25 constituencies contested, while the ruling Parti Lepep took the remaining 10.

Seychelles since then is in a cohabitation with the government led by the president’ party Lepep and the National Assembly led by the opposition.

(Patrick Joubert)  Photo License: CC-BY