Iauko Group

The Iauko Group (Bislama: Iauko Grup) or Eagle Group is a political party in Vanuatu.

Eagle Group
Iauko Grup
AbbreviationIG
LeaderMarc Ati
FounderHarry Iauko
Founded12 April 2012 (2012-04-12)
Split fromVanua'aku Pati
Colours  Blue
SloganUnity for All!
Parliament
3 / 52
Website
Facebook page
Politics of Vanuatu

History

The party was established by Harry Iauko after he left the Vanua'aku Pati prior to the 2012 general elections.[1] The party nominated six candidates, winning three of the 52 seats in Parliament; Tony Nari in Pentecost, Hosea Nevu in Santo and Iauko in Tanna.[2] Iauko died in December 2012, but the subsequent by-election was won by his son Pascal Iauko.[1] However, he lost his seat in Parliament in 2015 after being convicted of bribery.[3]

In October 2013, the Iauko Group, under the leadership of Tony Nari, supported the Vanua'aku Pati, and joined Prime Minister Carcasses' parliamentary majority.[4]

Rural Development Party
Main article: Rural Development Party (Vanuatu)

On 11 December 2014, two years after the death of founder Harry Iauko, the Iauko Group was also known as the Rural Development Party (RDP). MPs in 2015 that associated with RDP included: Tony Ngari (party leader), Hosea Nevu, Thomas Laken. John Amos, Jonas James, and Pascal Iauko. MPs Samsen Samson and Havo Moli have also declared affiliations with RDP.[5] The party supported the governments of Sato Kilman[5]

In the 2016 elections the party fielded eight candidates,[6] winning four seats; Nevu was re-elected in Santo, Marc Ati was elected in Luganville, Jay Ngwele in Ambae and Kalo Pakoa Songi Lano in Tongoa.[7]

In 2017, RDP members signed a solidarity pact with the Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV) in front of Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, reaffirming support for the coalition government. Members at that time included MP Jay Ngwele, Tom Nouam and Kalo Pakoa.[8] They also supported the Vanua'aku Pati (VP) in 2018.[9]

According to the World Factbook IG and RDP were listed as the same party IG from 2016 to 2019.[10][11]

Split from RDP

In 2020, the RDP and IG ran their own candidates for the 2020 Vanuatuan general election.

In 18 October 2022, following the 2022 Vanuatuan general election, which was a snap election, it was reported that RDP, IG, VP, and National United Party (NUP) were not included in the signing of the pact for the new government formation.[12]

Election results

Parliament
Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Status
2012 Harry Iauko 4,425 3.68 (#8)
3 / 52
 New Opposition
2016 4,979 4.40 (#6)
4 / 52
 Increase 1 Opposition
2020 2,847 1.98 (#12)
2 / 52
 Decrease 2 Coalition
2022 Marc Ati 8,093 6.12 (#7)
3 / 52
 Increase 1 Opposition

References
  1. Tom Lansford (2015) Political Handbook of the World 2015, CQ Press
  2. Legislative elections of 30 October 2012 Psephos
  3. Members of the 10th Legislature Parliament of Vanuatu
  4. "IAUKO GROUP AND VP UNITE", Vanuatu Daily Post, 22 October 2013
  5. Cullwick, Jonas (21 August 2015). "RDP performs custom to PM Kilman". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  6. Final candidate list for the 2016 General Election Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Vanuatu Daily, 11 January 2016
  7. Unofficial results Vanuatu Daily Post, 25 January 2016
  8. Cullwick, Jonas (12 April 2017). "Rural Development Party MPs join government". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  9. "RDP joins VP". Vanuatu Daily Post. 12 December 2018.
  10. "Vanuatu Government Profile 2016". 6 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2022 – via Index Mundi.
  11. "The World Factbook Archives". CIA World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  12. "VP, RDP, NUP and IG excluded from new Gov't formation". Vanuatu Daily Post. 18 October 2022.


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