President of Vanuatu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of Vanuatu |
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Style | His Excellency |
Appointer | Electoral college |
Term length | Five years
non-renewable
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Constituting instrument | Constitution of Vanuatu (1980) |
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 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 | ||
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Started | Ended | How Long | ||||
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 | 3 years, 10 days | VP |
Timeline of Presidents

See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de Vanuatu para niños
- Politics of Vanuatu
- Prime Minister of Vanuatu
- List of resident commissioners of the New Hebrides