After an ominous, post-independence start which saw them lurch from a coup, through an invasion by mercenaries to an abortive army mutiny and several coup attempts, the Seychelles have stabilized and attained prosperity.
Citizens enjoy a high per capita income, good health care and education.
Just a year after independence in 1976, the Seychelles appeared to be heading down the path of instability which has blocked the development of many African states. The Prime Minister, France Rene, overthrew the President, James Mancham, and embarked on a programme aimed at giving poorer people a greater share of the country's wealth. His coup, though bloodless, resulted in about 10,000 islanders fleeing the country. Four years later, with the help of Tanzanian troops, Rene thwarted an attempt by South African mercenaries to restore Mancham. An army mutiny in 1982, followed by several attempted coups, suffered a similar fate.