President Resigns After Vote
To be updated. Watch this space!
Tuesday, January 26, 2016:
President Casten Nemra stood down today following a vote of no confidence with the numbers 21 to 12. Nitijela Counsel Divine Waiti confirmed for Speaker Ken Kedi that a vote for President could be held as early as tomorrow.
Earlier notes in the power struggle follow.
Friday, January 15, 2016:
President Casten Nemra is struggling to form a Cabinet, with a leadership battle continuing to be played out in Majuro.
Two key ministerial positions are still vacant (Health and Education). Positions that have been filled, but may well change are:
Minister in Assistance David Kabua
Minister of Finance Jack Ading
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kessai Note
Minister of Justice Atbi Riklon
Minister of Resources and Development Bruce Bilimon
Minister of Transportation and Communication Mike Halferty
To read more about the power struggle, go to the Marshall Islands Journal’s site or subscribe to the Journal by emailing the Journal at marshallislandsjournal@gmail.com.
Monday, January 4, 2016: At 11:21am, Jaluit Senator Casten Nemra was voted President-elect of the Marshall Islands. He beat Kwajalein Senator Alvin Jacklick to the position. Nemra was formerly the government’s Chief Secretary.
At 11am, Arno Senator Jejwarick Anton was elected Vice Speaker ahead of KBE Senator Eldon Note.
At 10:40am Rongelap Senator Kenneth Kedi was elected Speaker. He beat former President Christopher Loeak into the position.
Following the RMI National Election in November, the 33 newly-elected Senators will gather at the Nitijela in Delap today to elect a new RMI President and form the government. Using a system of secret ballot, the Senators first elect a Speaker, then a Vice-Speaker and finally the President. He or she will then, over a period of days, choose his or her Cabinet.
Former Presidents are: Amata Kabua, Kunio Lemari (Acting), Imata Kabua, Kessai Note, Litokwa Tomeing, Ruben Zackhras (Acting), Jurelang Zedkaia, and Christopher Loeak.
