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President of Vanuatu
Flag of the President of Vanuatu.svg
Presidential Standard
President Vurobaravu at Ceremony (cropped).png
Incumbent
Nikenike Vurobaravu

since 23 July 2022
Style His Excellency
Appointer Electoral college
Term length Five years
non-renewable
Constituting instrument Constitution of Vanuatu (1980)
Precursor Resident commissioner
Inaugural holder Ati George Sokomanu
Formation 30 July 1980; 45 years ago (1980-07-30)
Salary Vt 67,846 weekly (32,295 USD annually)


The President of Vanuatu is the leader of the country. Think of them as the head of state, like a king or queen in some countries, but in Vanuatu, they are elected. The official name in French is Président du Vanuatu.

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 the leaders of the regional councils.

The president's job is mostly ceremonial. This means they perform important duties like representing the country. They also have the power to appoint the main judge of the Supreme Court of Vanuatu and three other judges.

If the president's position becomes empty for any reason, the Speaker of the Parliament steps in as the acting president.

Before Vanuatu became independent in 1980, it was led by British and French officials. These officials were called resident commissioners. Even earlier, from 1887 to 1906, the area was managed by a joint British and French naval group.

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

Who Has Been President?

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

Timeline of Presidents

Nikenike Vurobaravu Seule Simeon Tallis Obed Moses Esmon Saimon Baldwin Lonsdale Philip Boedoro Iolu Abil Maxime Carlot Korman Kalkot Mataskelekele Josias Moli Roger Abiut John Bani Edward Natapei Jean-Marie Léyé Alfred Maseng Onneyn Tahi Fred Timakata Ati George Sokomanu

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de Vanuatu para niños

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