Seychelles is set to hold general elections on Thursday, with incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan and his allied lawmakers campaigning to maintain control and prevent the return of the party that ruled the island nation for four decades.

The idyllic beach destination is Africa ‘s wealthiest country per capita, with a location in the western Indian Ocean that makes it a target for investment and security cooperation from India, China and Gulf States.

Ramkalawan, a former Anglican priest, says he is seeking a second five-year term to build social protections and infrastructure while defending the country’s neutrality to draw investment.

His main rival, United Seychelles’ candidate Patrick Herminie, has said the population of 120,000 is suffering from soaring living costs, declining s

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