The Mauritius parliament on Thursday appointed Ameenah Gurib-Fakim as the island nation's new president, making her the first woman to hold the position.
The motion moved by Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth for her election was unanimously approved in parliament, Xinhua news agency reported.
"This is the first time in the history of Mauritius that a woman has reached this position," said parliament Speaker, Hanoomanjee Maya, who congratulated the well known biologist.
Jugnauth said he was proud of the "historical change", adding that Gurib-Fakim "has the capacity to assume this position."
Gurib-Fakim will be sworn in on Friday as Mauritius's sixth president since the island became a republic in 1992.