President of Vanuatu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of Vanuatu
Presidential Standard
Incumbent Nikenike Vurobaravu since 23 July 2022
Style	His Excellency
Appointer	Electoral college
Term length	Five years
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Vanuatu
Precursor	Resident commissioner
Inaugural holder	Ati George Sokomanu
Formation	30 July 1980
Salary	Vt 67,846 weekly (32,295 USD annually)

The President of Vanuatu is the head of state for the country of Vanuatu. Think of them as a very important leader who represents the whole nation. The president is chosen for a five-year term. They are elected by a special group called an electoral college. This group includes members of the Parliament and leaders from Vanuatu's regional councils.

The president's job is mostly ceremonial. This means they perform important duties like welcoming guests and attending special events. They don't usually make daily government decisions. However, the Constitution gives the president the power to choose the main judge of the Supreme Court of Vanuatu. They also appoint three other judges.

If the president's position becomes empty, the Speaker of the Parliament steps in. They become the acting president until a new one is chosen. Before Vanuatu became independent in 1980, the country was led by British and French officials.

The current president of Vanuatu is Nikenike Vurobaravu. He has been in office since July 23, 2022.

Who Are the Presidents of Vanuatu?

This table shows the people who have served as president of Vanuatu since the country became independent. It includes both official presidents and those who acted as president for a short time.

No.	Portrait	Name (Born–Died)	Time in Office			Political Party
			Started	Ended	Length of Time
1		Ati George Sokomanu (born 1937)	30 July 1980	17 February 1984	3 years, 202 days	VP
–		Fred Timakata (1936–1995) Acting	17 February 1984	8 March 1984	20 days	VP
(1)		Ati George Sokomanu (born 1937)	8 March 1984	12 January 1989	4 years, 310 days	VP
–		Onneyn Tahi (1944–1998) Acting	12 January 1989	30 January 1989	18 days	VP
2		Fred Timakata (1936–1995)	30 January 1989	30 January 1994	5 years	VP
–		Alfred Maseng (?–2004) Acting	30 January 1994	2 March 1994	31 days	UMP
3		Jean-Marie Léyé (1932–2014)	2 March 1994	2 March 1999	5 years	UMP
–		Edward Natapei (1954–2015) Acting	2 March 1999	24 March 1999	22 days	VP
4		John Bani (born 1941)	24 March 1999	24 March 2004	5 years	UMP
–		Roger Abiut (born 1972) Acting	24 March 2004	12 April 2004	19 days	VLP
5		Alfred Maseng (?–2004) De facto	12 April 2004	11 May 2004 (Election invalidated)	90 days	UMP
–		Roger Abiut (born 1972) Acting	11 May 2004	28 July 2004	17 days	VLP
–		Josias Moli (born 1954) Acting	28 July 2004	16 August 2004	19 days	UMP
6		Kalkot Mataskelekele (born 1949)	16 August 2004	16 August 2009	5 years	NUP
–		Maxime Carlot Korman (born 1941) Acting	16 August 2009	2 September 2009	17 days	UMP
7		Iolu Abil (born 1942)	2 September 2009	2 September 2014	5 years	VP
–		Philip Boedoro (born 1958) Acting	2 September 2014	22 September 2014	20 days	VP
8		Baldwin Lonsdale (1948–2017)	22 September 2014	17 June 2017 †	2 years, 268 days	Independent
–		Esmon Saimon (born 1955) Acting	17 June 2017	6 July 2017	19 days	MPP
9		Tallis Obed Moses (born 1954)	6 July 2017	6 July 2022	5 years	Independent
–		Seule Simeon (born 1970) Acting	6 July 2022	23 July 2022	17 days	Independent
10		Nikenike Vurobaravu (born 1951)	23 July 2022	Incumbent	2 years, 332 days	VP

Timeline of Presidents

This timeline shows when each president served and which political party they belonged to.

More to Explore

• Politics of Vanuatu
• Prime Minister of Vanuatu
• List of resident commissioners of the New Hebrides

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