Apisai Ielemia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Apisai Ielemia
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| 10th Prime Minister of Tuvalu | |
| In office 14 August 2006 – 29 September 2010 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Filoimea Telito Kamuta Latasi Iakoba Italeli |
| Preceded by | Maatia Toafa |
| Succeeded by | Maatia Toafa |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Environment, Trade, Labour and Tourism | |
| In office 24 December 2010 – 2 August 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Willy Telavi |
| Preceded by | Enele Sopoaga (Foreign Affairs, Environment and Labour) |
| Succeeded by | Taukelina Finikaso (Minister of Environment, Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 August 1955 |
| Died | 19 November 2018 (aged 63) Funafuti, Tuvalu |
| Spouse | Sikinala Ielemia |
Apisai Ielemia (born 19 August 1955 – died 19 November 2018) was an important politician from Tuvalu. He served as the tenth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from 2006 to 2010. After his time as Prime Minister, he continued to be a member of parliament. He was re-elected in both the 2010 Tuvaluan general election and the 2015 Tuvaluan general election.
However, in October 2016, a court decision meant that Ielemia's seat in parliament became empty. This happened because of a legal issue that temporarily affected his ability to serve as an elected official. The court explained that once he began serving a sentence, he was no longer qualified to be a member of parliament.
Contents
Apisai Ielemia's Political Journey
Starting in Politics
Ielemia was chosen to represent the area of Vaitupu in the Parliament of Tuvalu. In Tuvalu, politicians often run without belonging to a specific political party. This is quite normal for the country's political system.
Becoming Prime Minister of Tuvalu
In August 2006, there was a general election in Tuvalu. The government led by Prime Minister Maatia Toafa was defeated. Apisai Ielemia was then chosen by the new parliament to become the next Prime Minister on 14 August. He also took on the role of foreign minister.
As Prime Minister, Ielemia worked to keep strong ties between Tuvalu and the Republic of China. In 2007, he visited Taiwan to discuss important issues between the two countries. He also became well-known around the world during a big meeting about climate change in Copenhagen in 2009. There, he spoke about the serious dangers that rising sea levels pose to Tuvalu. In 2008, he met with the President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, to improve relations with Cuba.
A Stable Government
Tuvalu had often seen governments change quickly through votes of no confidence. However, Ielemia's government, which started in 2006, was quite stable. It was one of the few governments in Tuvalu to last for a longer period. This showed a good level of stability in the country's parliamentary system.
Ielemia was one of ten members of parliament who were re-elected in the 2010 Tuvaluan general election.
Ielemia's Government Team
In September 2006, Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia's government included these key members:
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources: Hon. Tavau Teii (from Niutao)
- House Speaker: Hon. Sir Kamuta Latasi (from Funafuti)
- Minister of Home Affairs: Hon. Willy Telavi (from Nanumea)
- Minister of Finance & Economic Planning: Hon. Lotoala Metia (from Nukufetau)
- Minister of Public Works, Water & Energy: Hon. Kausea Natano (from Funafuti)
- Minister of Communications, Transportation & Tourism: Hon. Taukelina Finikaso (from Vaitupu)
- Minister of Education, Youth & Sports: Hon Falesa Pitoi (from Nanumaga)
- Minister of Health: Hon. Iakoba Italeli (from Nui)
- Chairman of the Caucus: Hon. Sir Tomu Sione (from Niutao)
Later Political Roles
After the general election in September 2010, Maatia Toafa became Prime Minister again. He had the support of new members of parliament and some who had supported Ielemia.
However, in December 2010, Maatia Toafa's government was removed by a vote of no confidence. Willy Telavi was then elected as the new Prime Minister. Ielemia supported Telavi and was appointed to his Cabinet. He became the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Environment, Trade, Labour, and Tourism.
In August 2013, Prime Minister Telavi was removed from office by the Governor General, Sir Iakoba Italeli. This happened during a political crisis. A day later, Ielemia and the rest of the Cabinet were also voted out of office.
His Legacy
Apisai Ielemia passed away on 19 November 2018 at his home in Funafuti. A few days later, on 22 November 2018, Tuvalu's patrol vessel, the HMTSS Te Mataili, carried his body to his home island of Vaitupu for his final resting place.
See Also
In Spanish: Apisai Ielemia para niños
- Ielemia Ministry
- Politics of Tuvalu
