Inauguration of Seychelles’ fourth President |15 October 2016

Danny Faure to be sworn in as President tomorrow

Danny Faure will tomorrow be sworn in as President of the Republic of Seychelles, succeeding James Michel and becoming the fourth head of state of the island nation.

The inauguration ceremony is slated for 4.45pm at State House – the office of the President.

Mr Faure, who was the country’s Vice-President since July 2010 and has won election on the same ticket as outgoing President James Michel in 2011 and 2015, will complete the five-year term of Mr Michel.

As there were four years of Mr Michel's term remaining, meaning more than two-thirds of the mandate, Mr Faure’s time in office will count as a full term.

When asked by Seychelles NATION in an interview last week how confident he is in Vice-President Faure’s abilities to take Seychelles to the next level, outgoing President Michel replied: “Mr Faure has been my Vice-President since July 2010. Together we have won two elections. He has experience in government, after serving in various capacities, including working with the youth, and as a minister in the key portfolios of education and finance. He is hardworking, competent and most importantly represents the post-independence generation of leaders. Therefore, as the new President of a modern era he will be in the position to strengthen national unity.”

Proud to have had two former Presidents – France Albert René and James Michel – as role models, Mr Faure has said he shall make it his duty to uphold the legacy of President Michel.

Born on May 8, 1962 to Seychellois parents in Kilembe, Uganda, Mr Faure is the father of four children.

He is a bachelor after divorcing his wife Jeanine De Commarmond this week.

Mr Faure completed his primary and secondary education in Seychelles and continued in Cuba where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

Upon his return to Seychelles in 1985, he worked as an assistant curriculum officer with the Ministry of Education and lecturer at both the National Youth Service and the Seychelles Polytechnic. In June 1989, he was appointed director of the National Youth Service.

As a young man, Danny Faure worked with the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front (SPPF) organisation (now Parti Lepep), becoming the chairman of its youth wing and was elected as a member of the central committee of the party.

In June 2009, he was appointed secretary general of the party.

With the return of multi-party in Seychelles in 1993, Mr Faure was appointed Leader of Government Business of the majority party in the National Assembly, a post he served for five years (from 1993 to 1998).

Mr Faure was first appointed as minister in April 1998 when he became Minister for Education in the cabinet of former President France Albert René and in 2001, he assumed the role of Minister for Education and Youth, which he held until July 2006. In 2006, Mr Faure was appointed Minister for Finance by outgoing President James Michel. He was assigned portfolio responsibilities for Trade in July 2007 and Industries in August 2009.

Mr Faure was appointed Designated Minister in April 2004 up to June 2010. He has overseen the implementation of the first generation of reforms under the macro economic reform programme which started in October 2008. He continues to direct the second generation of reforms as part of the on-going economic programme.

In July 2010, Mr Faure was appointed Vice-President holding ministerial portfolios for Finance and Trade, Public Administration, and Information Communication Technology.

The most recent portfolios he held were of Administration, Youth and Information Communication Technology.

Mr Faure is also Governor of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the African Development Bank.