Seychelles' newly sworn-in President James Alix Michel vowed to fight corruption on Wednesday, after officially taking over from Albert Rene, one of Africa's longest serving rulers.
Michel, 59, previously the vice president and finance minister, was sworn in as president during a televised ceremony at State House in front of Rene, who retired after almost three decades in power, and an audience of members of parliament, diplomats and private sector officials.
"I know the problems we are passing through and I know we can resolve them if we put our heads together," Michel said in a speech after the ceremony.
"I see a Seychelles with no place for corruption. In my vision I see unity, stability and tolerance," he added.
Observers say Michel's biggest challenge will be to revive the island's import-dependent economy, which has been mired in recession since the late 1990s, and free himself from the grip of Rene, who has dominated the islands' politics for 27 years.
Rene, 68, announced his retirement from the presidency on February 24, but said he would stay on as chairman of the ruling Seychelles Peoples Progressive Front (SPPF) party.
The former lawyer turned politician won support from many Seychellois for spending heavily on a social welfare system that was the envy of Africa, but the Indian Ocean country is now saddled with debt.
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