Baron Waqa

Baron Divavesi Waqa (/bæˈrɒn dɪvəveɪˈsiː wɑːˈkɑː/; born 31 December 1959[1]) is a Nauruan politician who was the 14th President of Nauru from 11 June 2013 until 27 August 2019. He previously served as Minister of Education from 2004 to 2007.

His Excellency
Baron Waqa
Baron Waqa in 2013
14th President of Nauru
In office
11 June 2013 – 27 August 2019
DeputyDavid Adeang
Preceded bySprent Dabwido
Succeeded byLionel Aingimea
Minister of Education
In office
22 June 2004 – 17 December 2007
PresidentLudwig Scotty
Preceded byMarcus Stephen
Succeeded byRoland Kun
In office
29 May 2003 – 8 August 2003
PresidentLudwig Scotty
Preceded byRemy Namaduk
Succeeded byMarcus Stephen
Member of the Nauruan Parliament
for Boe
In office
3 May 2003 – 27 August 2019
Preceded byRoss Cain
Succeeded byMartin Hunt
Personal details
Born
Baron Divavesi Waqa

(1959-12-31) 31 December 1959
Boe, Nauru
Political partyIndependent
SpouseLouisa Waqa

Background

Waqa was born on 31 December 1959. He is a member of the Eamwidamwit tribe.[2] Waqa has a master's degree from Monash University, Clayton, Australia, and a bachelor's degree from the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.[1]

Political role

Waqa was elected in the May 2003 elections to the Parliament of Nauru, representing the constituency of Boe. Under President Ludwig Scotty, he served as Minister of the Interior and of Education; however, he had to leave the post upon Scotty's replacement by René Harris. He kept his seat in Parliament.

On 23 April 2004, Waqa and his colleagues Kieren Keke, David Adeang and Fabian Ribauw participated in protests at the Nauru International Airport in Yaren; these were meant to show displeasure regarding government policy against Afghan asylum-seekers in Australia and the Flotilla of Hope, as well as against the deadlock then encountered in Parliament. All four faced up to fourteen years in jail because of their participation in the protest; charges were dropped, however, upon Scotty's re-ascension the following June. Scotty once again appointed Waqa to be Minister of Education.[3]

Waqa remained loyal to his Administration during the ministerial crisis which occurred in 2007. Consequently, Waqa was not invited to serve in the subsequent Administration of President Marcus Stephen which later took office.

Waqa was elected president in June, defeating former Finance Minister and opposition nominee Roland Kun by a vote of 13 to 5. He was chosen by the government faction after President Dabwido stepped aside to allow for Waqa's election so that government members could remain in power.[4][5]

In January 2014, he survived a vote of confidence over his deportation of the Australian resident magistrate Peter Law and the cancelling of the visa of the Chief Justice Geoffrey Eames, also an Australian national.[6] The government also sought to draft an emergency rule law with the help of Fijian lawyers.[7] It followed the dismissal of the parliamentary counsel Katy Le Roy and the subsequent resignation of the Solicitor-General Steven Bliim, both of whom were Australian. Home Minister Charmaine Scotty said this was symptomatic of a "system of cronyism" operated by Australian expatriates who he said were in league with the opposition.[8]

In 2019 Nauruan parliamentary election he lost his parliamentary seat and his bid to be re-elected in the office.[9]

In 2023, Waqa was appointed to lead the Pacific Islands Forum starting in 2024.[10]

Honors and awards

Personal life

He is married to Louisa Waqa. They have adopted one child together, named Barron Stephenson.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Baron Divavesi Waqa – Forum Sec". Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. 19 June 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-06-19.
  2. Caudwell, L. V. (16 January 1960). "REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS & DEATHS" (PDF). Republic of Nauru Government Gazette (3): 1.
  3. "New president for Nauru". Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  4. "Baron Waqa named as new Nauru president". Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  5. "Waqa elected Nauru president". Radio New Zealand. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  6. "No confidence motion in Nauru fails". Radio New Zealand. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  7. "Nauruan government drafting law to impose emergency rule - Yahoo!7". Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  8. "Aussies out!". The Economist. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  9. Nauru President Baron Waqa loses bid for re-election
  10. Faa, Marian (2 March 2023). "Baron Waqa's tenure as Nauru's president has been called a 'very dark chapter'. He'll now lead the Pacific Islands Forum". ABC News. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  11. Wen, Kuei-hsiang; Kao, Evelyn (25 March 2019). "Nauru parliament passes resolution to reject 'one China' principle". Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  12. "Fiji President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau to make state visit to Nauru". The Government of the Republic of Nauru. February 13, 2014. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
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