Mauritius designates Ameenah Gurib-Fakim as its first woman president Monday June 01,2015

 

The government of Mauritius on Monday June 01,2015 designated Ameenah Gurib-Fakim as the Indian Ocean island nation's new president, making her the first woman to hold the ceremonial position.

Gurib-Fakim is currently director of the Mauritius-headquartered Centre for Phytotherapy Research (CEPHYR), which carries out research on plants for use in cosmetics, nutrition and therapy.An alumni of the universities of Exeter and Surrey in Britain, she is also the chair of organic chemistry at Mauritius University, and has worked with the World Bank and other international institutions

The appointment of Gurib-Fakim, an internationally-renowned scientist and biologist, is subject to parliament approval, due to take place on Thursday June 04,2015.The opposition has said it will support her appointment, making the vote a mere formality.

Her inauguration is expected to take place on Friday June 05,2015, officials said.Gurib-Fakim, 56, will be the first female president of the island, which gained independence from Britain in 1968 and replaced Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state in 1992.

Former president Kailash Purryag, who had been put in place by the previous government, stepped down as the island's figurehead on Friday May 29,2015. He had served as president since July 2012, when he was appointed by the island's previous Labour party government of former premier Navin Ramgoolam.


Note

Mauritius is one of the richest -- and least corrupt -- countries in Africa, a middle-income country of some 1.3 million people with a per capita GDP of just over $9,000 (7,200 euros).Once dependent on sugar exports, the island has built up a strong outsourcing and financial services sector, and an important tourism industry.