His Excellency
Nikenike Vurobaravu
Vurobaravu in 2022
10th President of Vanuatu
Assumed office
23 July 2022
Prime MinisterBob Loughman
Ishmael Kalsakau
Sato Kilman
Charlot Salwai
Preceded bySeoule Simeon (acting)
High Commissioner of Vanuatu to Fiji
In office
12 October 2017 – 23 July 2022
In office
2014–2015
Personal details
Born (1951-12-03) 3 December 1951
New Hebrides (now Vanuatu)
Political partyVanua'aku Pati
SpouseRima Vurobaravu
Alma materUniversity of the South Pacific (BA)
University of Westminster (MA)

Nikenike Vurobaravu (born 3 December 1951[1][2])[3] is a Vanuatuan diplomat and politician who has served as President of Vanuatu since 23 July 2022. Previously having been employed in numerous diplomatic and government positions, including as the first resident High Commissioner to Fiji, he was elected as president during the eighth round of the 2022 Vanuatuan presidential election in July 2022.[4][5] He is a member of the Vanua'aku Pati (VP) political party.[6][7]

Biography

Vurobaravu is married to Rima Vurobaravu.[8][9]

He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Fiji in 1977.[9] Vurobaravu also obtained his Master of Arts degree in diplomatic studies from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom in 1993.[8][10] He specialized in development cooperation, foreign policy analysis, and the management of diplomatic missions while studying at the University of Westminster.[8]

Vurobaravu served as the coordinator of the Vanuatu Comprehensive Reform Program for the Asian Development Bank.[10] He also served as a political adviser in the Prime Minister's Office from 2008 to 2010.[10]

In February 2014, Vurobaravu was appointed as High Commissioner of Vanuatu to Fiji, becoming the country's first-ever resident High Commissioner to reside in Suva in history.[6][10][7][11] However, he was recalled to Vanuatu by the then-government in 2015.[11][12] On 12 October 2017, Vanuatu President Tallis Moses Obed appointed Vurobaravu to a second term as High Commissioner to Fiji.[12] Vurobaravu presented his credentials to Fijian President Jioji Konrote on 14 November 2017.[12]

Presidency (2022–present)

At the eighth round of voting in the 2022 Vanuatuan presidential election, parliament elected Vurobaravu, the country's 12th president, earning 47 out of 58 electoral votes. The previous seven rounds saw no candidate gain a majority of votes; however, Vurobaravu negotiated with nine members of former prime minister Charlot Salwai's coalition party, who agreed to support him, thus enabling Vurobaravu to win the presidency.[6]

On 18 August 2022, Vurobaravu dissolved parliament midway through the parliamentary term at the request of prime minister Bob Loughman, who advised the dissolution to avoid a no confidence vote. The motion sparked criticism from the opposition, and opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu announced that the opposing parties would contest the dissolution in court.[13] A snap election will be held within 60 days if the decision is upheld.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Profile of Nikenike Vurobaravu
  2. ↑ https://rulers.org/indexv.html
  3. ↑ "Nikenike Vurobaravu elected Vanuatu's new president". chinadailyhk. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "After eight rounds of voting, Vanuatu elects new president". Radio New Zealand. 23 July 2022. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Vanuatu elects new president after eight rounds of voting". Asia Pacific Report. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 "Two former Vanuatu politicians made diplomats". Radio New Zealand. 5 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  7. 1 2 Joshua, Jane (4 July 2015). "Ambassador to China recalled". Vanuatu Daily Post. Archived from the original on 6 June 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "New High Commissioner of Vanuatu presented his credentials to Fiji's President". Vila Times. 17 November 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  9. 1 2 "Alumnus Gives Back to Home Country" (PDF). University of the South Pacific. 10 October 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Fijian President Receives New Diplomatic Envoys". Government of Fiji. 4 March 2014. Archived from the original on 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  11. 1 2 Willie, Glenda (14 October 2017). "Head of State commissions Vurobaravu as High Commissioner of Vanuatu". Vanuatu Daily Post. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 "High Commissioner, H.E. Mr. Vurobaravu, Presents His Credentials To The President of Fiji, H.E. Mr. Konrote". Vanuatu High Commission to Fiji. 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  13. ↑ Hawkins, Koroi (19 August 2022). "Vanuatu president dissolves parliament". RNZ. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  14. ↑ "Vanuatu parliament dissolved as power struggle heads to court". uk.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
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