Mauritius
The Mauritius government designated Ameenah Gurib-Fakim as the country’s new president. She is the first woman to hold the ceremonial position. The appointment of Gurib-Fakim, an internationally-renowned scientist and biologist, is subject to parliament approval. Gurib-Fakim, 56, will be the first female President of the Island, which gained independence from Britain in 1968 and which replaced Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state in 1992.