History of Seychelles in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 3, 2026

Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is an archipelagic state of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, located 1,500 kilometers east of mainland Africa. Victoria is its capital and largest city. Neighboring island nations include the Maldives, Comoros, Madagascar, and Mauritius. With an estimated population of 100,600 in 2022, Seychelles is the smallest and least populated sovereign country in Africa.

1903: Seychelles Becomes a Crown Colony

In 1903, Seychelles became a separate crown colony from Mauritius.

1903: Creation of the Supreme Court of Seychelles

In 1903, the Supreme Court of Seychelles was established as the highest trial court and first court of appeal in the country.

1910: Tombs Visible at Anse Lascars

Until 1910, tombs were visible at Anse Lascars on Silhouette Island, conjectured to belong to Maldivian and Arab traders.

1944: Government becomes responsible for schools

Even after the government became responsible for mission schools in 1944, the Catholic mission continued to operate boys' and girls' secondary schools with religious brothers and nuns from abroad.

1959: Teacher training college opened

A teacher training college opened in 1959, which led to an increase in locally trained teachers and the establishment of many new schools.

1965: Economic report

In 1965, Donald Prell prepared an economic report for the crown colony's Governor General during a three-month visit to the islands, noting that about 33% of the working population worked at plantations, and 20% worked in the public or government sector in the 1960s.

1966: Elections Held

Elections in Seychelles were held in 1966.

1970: Elections Held

Elections in Seychelles were held in 1970.

1971: Opening of Seychelles International Airport

In 1971, with the opening of Seychelles International Airport, tourism became a significant industry, essentially dividing the economy into plantations and tourism.

1972: Hotel Constructions

In 1972, a sustained spate of hotel construction occurred throughout the 1970s which included the opening of Coral Strand Smart Choice, Vista Do Mar and Bougainville Hotel.

1976: Independence from Britain

In 1976, Seychelles gained independence from Britain, concluding its time as a British colony since 1814.

1976: Independence from the United Kingdom

In 1976, Seychelles proclaimed independence from the United Kingdom and transitioned from a largely agricultural society to a market-based diversified economy.

1976: Independence

Since gaining independence in 1976, Seychelles' per capita output has increased roughly sevenfold, largely driven by the tourism sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force.

June 1977: France-Albert René Comes to Power

On June 5, 1977, France-Albert René came to power after his supporters overthrew the first president James Mancham in a coup d'état.

1977: Coup and political shift

Following the coup in 1977, the presidency was always held by a member of the same political party until the 2020 election.

1977: Coup d'état by France-Albert René

In 1977, a coup d'état led by France-Albert René ousted James Mancham, the first president of the republic.

1979: Plots to Overthrow René's Government

Between 1979 and 1983, the United States, France, and South Africa reportedly supported various plots to overthrow the government of France-Albert René.

1979: Socialist One-Party State Declared

In 1979, the constitution declared Seychelles a socialist one-party state.

1981: Seychelles Coup d'état Attempt

In 1981, Mike Hoare led 43 South African mercenaries disguised as rugby players in an attempt to overthrow the government, leading to a gun battle at the airport and the hijacking of an Air India plane.

1981: Free education system

Since 1981, a system of free education has been in effect in Seychelles, requiring attendance by all children in grades one to nine, beginning at age six.

1983: Plots to Overthrow René's Government

Between 1979 and 1983, the United States, France, and South Africa reportedly supported various plots to overthrow the government of France-Albert René.

1986: Coup Attempt and Indian Assistance

In 1986, after an attempted coup led by the Seychelles Minister of Defence, Ogilvy Berlouis, President René requested assistance from India, resulting in the arrival of the Indian Navy's frigate Vindhyagiri in Port Victoria to help avert the coup.

1990: US Military Lease Set to Expire

One of the reasons for plots to overthrow René's government between 1979 and 1983 was the United States' military lease in the country, which was set to expire in 1990.

1991: End of One-Party State

In 1991, the socialist one-party state that was declared in 1979 came to an end.

1992: Failure of First Draft of New Constitution

In 1992, the first draft of a new constitution failed to receive the required 60% of voter approval.

1993: Ramkalawan Became Opposition MP

From 1993 to 2011, Wavel Ramkalawan was an opposition MP in Seychelles, as well as from 2016 to 2020.

1993: Introduction of Multi-Party System

In 1993, France-Albert René was forced to introduce a multi-party system after ruling as a strongman under a socialist one-party system.

1993: Approval of Amended Constitution

In 1993, an amended version of the constitution was approved.

1994: Inauguration of National Art Gallery

In 1994, the National Art Gallery was inaugurated on the occasion of the official opening of the National Cultural Centre, which houses the National Library and National Archives with other offices of the Ministry of Culture.

August 1996: Closure of Indian Ocean Tracking Station

In August 1996, the United States' Air Force Satellite Control Network's Indian Ocean Tracking Station on Mahé was closed after the Seychelles government attempted to raise the rent.

1998: Ramkalawan Became Leader of the Opposition

From 1998 to 2011, Wavel Ramkalawan served as the Leader of the Opposition in Seychelles, as well as from 2016 to 2020.

1998: Coral bleaching damages reefs

In 1998, coral bleaching damaged most reefs in Seychelles, though some, like those around Silhouette Island, have shown signs of healthy recovery.

2004: René Steps Down

In 2004, France-Albert René stepped down as president in favor of his vice-president, James Michel.

2005: Deal with Petroquest

In 2005, Seychelles signed a deal with US firm Petroquest, giving it exploration rights to about 30,000 sq km around Constant, Topaz, Farquhar and Coëtivy islands until 2014.

2006: James Michel Re-elected

In 2006, James Michel was re-elected as president of Seychelles.

2008: Losses in local fishing

In 2008, Seychelles experienced a 46% loss in local fishing due to piracy affecting the country's main national resources.

2008: Currency devaluation

In 2008, the Seychellois rupee was unpegged and allowed to devalue and float freely, with hopes of attracting further foreign investment.

September 2009: Opening of the University of Seychelles

The University of Seychelles, initiated in conjunction with the University of London, opened on 17 September 2009 across three locations and offers qualifications awarded by the University of London.

2009: Losses in local fishing

Seychelles experienced a 46% loss in local fishing in 2008-2009 due to piracy affecting the country's main national resources.

2009: Seychelles People's Progressive Front Renamed

Until 2009, the primary political party, People's Party (PP), was known as the Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF). It is now called United Seychelles (US).

2010: Economic Freedom Index increase

Since 2010, the Economic Freedom in Seychelles has been increasing each year.

2011: James Michel Re-elected

In 2011, James Michel was re-elected as president of Seychelles for another term.

2011: Ramkalawan Resigned as Opposition MP

Wavel Ramkalawan served as an opposition MP from 1993 to 2011.

June 2012: Commitment to Protect Marine Waters

In June 2012, during a conference in Rio de Janeiro, the Seychelles government committed to protecting 30% of its 1.35 million square kilometre marine waters within the country's marine protected areas.

January 2013: State of Emergency Declared

In January 2013, Seychelles declared a state of emergency due to tropical cyclone Felleng, which caused torrential rain, flooding, and landslides that destroyed hundreds of houses.

2013: Economic Freedom Index

According to the 2013 Index of Economic Freedom, economic freedom in Seychelles has been increasing each year since 2010.

2013: Main export products

As of 2013, the main export products of Seychelles are processed fish (60%) and non-fillet frozen fish (22%).

2013: US Mentoring of Troops

In the Spring of 2013, members of the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa mentored troops in Seychelles.

September 2014: Highest incarceration rate in the world

As of September 2014, Seychelles had the highest incarceration rate in the world, with 735 prisoners, 6% of whom were female.

2014: End of Petroquest Deal

In 2005, Seychelles signed a deal with US firm Petroquest, giving it exploration rights to about 30,000 sq km around Constant, Topaz, Farquhar and Coëtivy islands until 2014, when the deal expired.

March 2015: Allocation of Assumption Island to India

In March 2015, Seychelles allocated Assumption Island to be developed by India.

2015: GDP Growth

From 1976 to 2015, Seychelles experienced significant economic growth, with nominal GDP growing by nearly 700% and purchasing power parity by nearly 1600%.

2015: James Michel Re-elected

In 2015, James Michel was re-elected as president of Seychelles.

2015: Seychelles hosted the African Beach Soccer Championship

In 2015, Seychelles hosted the African Beach Soccer Championship.

September 2016: Michel to Step Down

On 28 September 2016, the Office of the President announced that James Michel would step down effective 16 October, and that Vice President Danny Faure would complete the rest of Michel's term.

2016: Ramkalawan Became Opposition MP Again

From 2016 to 2020, Wavel Ramkalawan was an opposition MP in Seychelles, as well as from 1993 to 2011.

2016: Changes in Islands

In 2016, Bancs Providence were observed to be a dynamic group of islands, comprising four large and about six very small islets.

2016: Legalization of same-sex sexual activity

In 2016, same-sex sexual activity was legalized in Seychelles, and employment discrimination based on sexual orientation was banned.

2018: High literacy rate

According to The World Factbook of the Central Intelligence Agency, as of 2018, Seychelles had a literacy rate of 95.9% for the population aged 15 and over.

2018: Seychelles Signs UN Treaty

In 2018, Seychelles signed the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

2019: High Forest Landscape Integrity Index

In 2019, Seychelles had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 10/10, ranking it first globally out of 172 countries.

January 2020: Least corrupt country in Africa

In January 2020, Seychelles was recognized as the least corrupt country in Africa in the Corruption Perception Index report released by Transparency International.

October 2020: Opposition Party Wins General Election

In October 2020, the Seychellois general election resulted in a historic win for the opposition party, with Wavel Ramkalawan becoming the first president not representing United Seychelles.

October 2020: Wavel Ramkalawan Elected President

On 26 October 2020, Wavel Ramkalawan was elected the fifth President of the Republic of Seychelles, marking the first time the opposition had won a presidential election in Seychelles.

October 2020: National Assembly Election

The election of the National Assembly was held on 22–24 October 2020, with Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) winning 25 seats and US getting 10 seats.

2020: Adult literacy rate

Adult education classes helped raise adult literacy in Seychelles from 60% to a claimed 96% in 2020.

2020: Border shutdown

In 2020, owing to the effects of COVID-19, Seychelles shut down its borders to international tourism.

March 2021: Reopening of borders to international tourists

On 25 March 2021, Seychelles reopened its borders to international tourists after a shutdown in 2020 due to the effects of COVID-19, following the progress of the national vaccination programme.

2021: Moutya added to UNESCO list

In 2021, the Moutya, a slave trade-era dance, was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

2022: Religious demographics

According to the 2022 census, the majority of Seychellois are Christians, with 61.3% identifying as Catholic, 5.0% as Anglican, and 8.6% following other Christian sects.

2022: Seychelles population estimated at 100,600

In 2022, the estimated population of Seychelles, the smallest country in Africa and the least populated sovereign African country, was 100,600.

2022: Incarceration rate drops significantly

In 2022, the incarceration rate in Seychelles dropped significantly to 287 per 100,000 population, ranking it 31st highest in the world, a notable decrease from previous years.

January 2023: Final stages of completing its marine spatial plan

In January 2023, Seychelles announced its final stages of completing its marine spatial plan to become the second largest ocean area for its blue economy.

2023: UAE accounts for refined petroleum imports

In 2023, the UAE accounted for $298M (roughly 83%) of all refined petroleum imports to the Seychelles.

2024: Democracy Ranking

According to the 2024 V-Dem Democracy indices, Seychelles ranked as the 43rd electoral democracy worldwide, the 1st liberal democracy in Africa, and the 2nd electoral democracy on the continent.

January 2025: Planned closure of Seychelles News Agency

Seychelles News Agency is set to cease its operations completely on 1 January 2025, following the decision of the Seychelles government and National Information Service Agency (NISA) after ten years of news reporting in Seychelles.

May 2025: Seychelles to host FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

In May 2025, Seychelles is scheduled to host the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, marking the first time the event will be held in Africa.

October 2025: Patrick Herminie wins presidential runoff

In October 2025, Patrick Herminie, former parliamentary speaker and main opposition leader, won the presidential runoff, marking the return to power for his party, United Seychelles.