<P> Independence was granted in 1976 as a republic within the Commonwealth . In the 1970s Seychelles was "the place to be seen, a playground for film stars and the international jet set". In 1977, a coup d'état by France Albert René ousted the first president of the republic, James Mancham . René discouraged over-dependence on tourism and declared that he wanted "to keep the Seychelles for the Seychellois". </P> <P> The 1979 constitution declared a socialist one - party state, which lasted until 1991 . </P> <P> In the 1980s there were a series of coup attempts against President René, some of which were supported by South Africa . In 1981, Mike Hoare led a team of 43 South African mercenaries masquerading as holidaying rugby players in the 1981 Seychelles coup d'état attempt . There was a gun battle at the airport, and most of the mercenaries later escaped in a hijacked Air India plane . The leader of this hijacking was German mercenary D. Clodo, a former member of the Rhodesian SAS . Clodo later stood trial in South Africa (where he was acquitted) as well as in his home country Germany for air - piracy . </P> <P> In 1986, an attempted coup led by the Seychelles Minister of Defence, Ogilvy Berlouis, caused President René to request assistance from India . In Operation Flowers are Blooming, the Indian naval vessel INS Vindhyagiri arrived in Port Victoria to help avert the coup . </P>

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