Government of the Marshall Islands
The government of the Marshall Islands operates under a mixed parliamentary-presidential system as set forth in its Constitution.[1] Elections are held every four years in universal suffrage (for all citizens above the age of 18), with each of the 24 constituencies (see below) electing one or more representatives (senators) to the lower house of RMI's unicameral legislature, the Nitijela. (Majuro, the capital atoll, elects five senators.) The President, who is head of state as well as head of government, is elected by the 33 senators of the Nitijela. Four of the five Marshallese presidents who have been elected since the Constitution was adopted in 1979 have been traditional paramount chiefs.[2]
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the Marshall Islands |
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Governance occurs in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, and of an emerging multi-party system, whereby the President of the Marshall Islands is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Nitijela (Legislature). The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
Executive branch
The president is elected by the Nitijela from among its members. Presidents pick cabinet members from the Nitijela. Amata Kabua was elected as the first president of the republic in 1979. Subsequently, he was re-elected to four-year terms in 1983, 1987, 1991, and 1996. After Amata Kabua's death in office, his first cousin, Imata Kabua, won a special election in 1997. The current president was elected and took office on January 14, 2020.
The executive branch consists of the President and the Presidential Cabinet, which consists of ten ministers appointed by the President with the approval of the Nitijela. President appoints, among the members of Nitijela, Minister in Assistance to the President of Marshall Islands who acts as a substitute for the President.
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | David Kabua | Aelon̄ Kein Ad United Democratic Party |
14 January 2020 |
The current Presidential Cabinet is as follows:
| Title | Officeholder |
|---|---|
| Minister of Justice, Immigration, and Labor | Kessai Note |
| Minister-in-Assistance to the President and Environment | Christopher Loeak |
| Minister of Health and Human Services | Bruce Bilimon |
| Minister of Education, Sports, and Training | Kitlang Kabua |
| Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce | Sandy Alfred |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade | Casten Nemra |
| Minister of Transportation, Communications, and Information Technology | Donald Capelle |
| Minister of Finance, Banking, and Postal Services | Alfred Alfred Jr. |
| Minister of Culture and Internal Affairs | Jemi Nashion |
| Minister of Works, Infrastructure, and Utilities | Jiba B. Kabua |
Legislative branch
The legislative branch of the government of the Marshall Islands consists of the Legislature (Nitijela) with an advisory council of high chiefs. Legislative power lies with the Nitijela. The upper house of Parliament called the Council of Iroij, is an advisory body composed of 12 tribal chiefs. The Nitijela has 33 members, elected for a four-year term in 19 single-seat and five multi-seat constituencies. Members are called Senators. The Legislature was last elected 17 November 2011 without the participation of parties, though part of the members could be members of the AKA and United Democratic Party.
The 24 electoral districts into which the country is divided correspond to the inhabited islands and atolls. There are currently four political parties in the Marshall Islands: Aelon Kein Ad (AKA), Kien Eo Am (KEA), United People's Party (UPP), and United Democratic Party (UDP). As of 2011 legislative elections, rule is shared by the AKA and the KEA. The following senators are currently in the legislative body:[4]
| Constituency | Member | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ailinglaplap Atoll | Alfred Alfred Jr. | Minister of Resources and Development |
| Christopher Loeak | Senator, former President (2012-2015) | |
| Ailuk Atoll | Maynard Alfred | Senator |
| Arno Atoll | Jejwarick Anton | Vice Speaker |
| Mike Halferty | Minister of Transportation and Communication | |
| Aur Atoll | Hilda C. Heine | President |
| Ebon Atoll | John Silk | Minister of Foreign Affairs |
| Enewetak Atoll | Jack Ading | Senator |
| Jabat Island | Kessai Note | Senator, former President (2000-2007) |
| Jaluit Atoll | Daisy Alik-Momotaro | Senator |
| Casten Nemra | Senator, former President (2016) | |
| Kili Island | Eldon Note | Senator |
| Kwajalein Atoll | Alvin Jacklick | Senator |
| Michael Kabua | Senator | |
| David Paul | Minister in Assistance to the President | |
| Lae Atoll | Thomas Heine | Minister of Justice |
| Lib Island | Jerakoj Bejang | Senator |
| Likiep Atoll | Leander Leander Jr. | Senator |
| Majuro Atoll | Kalani Kaneko | Minister of Health |
| David Kramer | Senator | |
| Tony Muller | Minister of Public Works | |
| Sherwood Tibon | Senator | |
| Brensan Wase | Minister of Finance | |
| Maloelap Atoll | Bruce Bilimon | Senator |
| Mejit Island | Dennis Momotaro | Senator |
| Mili Atoll | Wilbur Heine | Minister of Education |
| Namdrik Atoll | Wisely Zackhras | Senator |
| Namu Atoll | Tony Aiseia | Senator |
| Rongelap Atoll | Kenneth Kedi | Speaker |
| Ujae Atoll | Atbi Riklon | Senator |
| Utirik Atoll | Amenta Matthew | Minister of Internal Affairs |
| Wotho Atoll | David Kabua | Senator |
| Wotje Atoll | Litokwa Tomeing | Senator, former President |
Municipalities
The Marshall Islands is divided into 33 municipalities:
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Foreign affairs and defense
The Compact of Free Association with the United States gives the U.S. sole responsibility for international defense of the Marshall Islands. It allows islanders to live and work in the United States and establishes economic and technical aid programs.
Judicial branch
The Republic of the Marshall Islands has four court systems: Supreme Court, High Court, district and community courts, and the traditional rights court. Trial is by judge or jury. Jurisdiction of the traditional rights court is limited to cases involving titles, land rights, or other disputes arising from customary law and traditional practice.
See also
- Elections in the Marshall Islands
- List of Presidents of the Marshall Islands
- Marshall Islands and the United Nations
Notes
- "Constitution of the Marshall Islands". Paclii.org. Archived from the original on 2011-01-02. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- Johnson, Giff (2010-11-25). "Huge funeral recognizes late Majuro chief". Marianas Variety News & Views. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- "HE President David Kabua and members of Cabinet". Retrieved 2020-01-13.
- "Results for 2011 Elections in Marshall Islands". Adam Carr News. 21 February 2012.
- "Members". rmiparliament.org. Retrieved 2019-09-20.