President James A Michel has expressed his condolences to the family of the late Marlène Lionnet, who died on Sunday in a car accident.

The President said that Mrs Lionnet had rendered valuable services to her country. He recalled that Mrs Lionnet had served with distinction on the Constitutional Appointments Authority for many years and, in that position, had contributed significantly to the development and strengthening of Seychelles’ democratic institutions.

President Michel described the late Mrs Lionnet as an “exceptional lady, an amiable person of great integrity and a role model for many Seychellois, who always put the interests of her country above her own”. The President said that the whole nation is united in grief with the Lionnet family as they mourn the tragic death of Mrs Lionnet, which has profoundly shocked and saddened the people of Seychelles.

"This is a tragedy not only for the Lionnet family but also for the nation,” said the President.

The President added that the people of Seychelles will remember her with fondness and respect as a person of great moral courage, an inspiration to Seychellois women and a patriot who never betrayed her principles.

In his message to the Lionnet family the President said: “We shall all remember Marlène as a kind, caring and compassionate person, devoted to her family and to her community and a person who was also very much involved in public life.

“Our country owes a debt of gratitude to her,” added President Michel.

Mrs. Lionnet was a member of the CAA since 1993, and was reappointed several times.