Seychelles election: Wavel Ramkalawan in landmark win

The opposition has taken power in Seychelles for the first time since 1977, following its victory in the presidential election.

Anglican priest Wavel Ramkalawan defeated President Danny Faure by 54.9% to 43.5%, official results show.

Supporters of Mr. Ramkalawan have been celebrating his victory in the capital, Victoria.

In his victory speech, Mr. Ramkalawan was conciliatory towards Mr. Faure, saying there were no losers or winners.

The Indian Ocean archipelago is a former British colony that became independent in 1976.

Mr. Faure’s United Party seized power in a coup a year later and retained the presidency in elections after multi-party democracy was restored in 1993.

In his first comments since winning, Mr. Ramkalawan said: “Mr. Faure and I are good friends. And an election does not mean the end of one’s contribution to one’s motherland.

“In this election, there were no losers, there were no winners – our country was given the opportunity as the ultimate winner.”

Mr. Faure was sitting close by and nodded in approval as the incoming president spoke, Reuters news agency reports.