Edward Nipake Natapei Tuta Fanua`araki
(17 July 1954 – 28 July 2015) was a
Vanuatu
Vanuatu ( or ; ), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (french: link=no, République de Vanuatu; bi, Ripablik blong Vanuatu), is an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is east of no ...
an politician. He was the
prime minister of Vanuatu
The prime minister of Vanuatu is the head of government of the Republic of Vanuatu.
The office of Prime Minister was created under the Constitution of Vanuatu upon the country's independence in 1980, with independence campaigner Walter Lin ...
on two occasions, and was previously the
minister of Foreign Affairs
A foreign affairs minister or minister of foreign affairs (less commonly minister for foreign affairs) is generally a cabinet minister in charge of a state's foreign policy and relations. The formal title of the top official varies between co ...
briefly in 1991, the acting
president of Vanuatu
The president of Vanuatu (french: Président du Vanuatu) is the head of state of Vanuatu. The president is elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils.
The preside ...
from 2 March 1999 to 24 March 1999 (during a time in which he was the speaker of
Parliament
In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. Th ...
) and the deputy prime minister. He was the president of the
Vanua'aku Pati
The Vanua'aku Pati () is a democratic socialist political party in Vanuatu.
History
The party was founded on 17 August 1971 by Walter Lini as the New Hebridean Cultural Association, renamed later that same year as the New Hebrides National Party ...
, a
socialist
Socialism is a left-wing economic philosophy and movement encompassing a range of economic systems characterized by the dominance of social ownership of the means of production as opposed to private ownership. As a term, it describes the ...
,
Anglophone
Speakers of English are also known as Anglophones, and the countries where English is natively spoken by the majority of the population are termed the ''Anglosphere''. Over two billion people speak English , making English the largest language ...
political party.
Politics
Natapei was first elected to Parliament in 1983. In 1996, he was elected as speaker of Parliament, and in 1999 he was elected as President of Vanua'aku Pati.
["Biographies of Speakers: Pacific 2020 Conference"]
AusAID. In a parliamentary vote on 25 November 1999, Natapei was a candidate for the position of Prime Minister, but was defeated by
Barak Sopé, receiving 24 votes against 28 for Sope. When Sopé lost a
vote of no confidence
A motion of no confidence, also variously called a vote of no confidence, no-confidence motion, motion of confidence, or vote of confidence, is a statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility like in government or mana ...
, Natapei became Prime Minister on 13 April 2001, receiving 27 votes in parliament, with one vote against him. He retained the position after the May 2002 election. Even though his party performed poorly in the July 2004 election, he was re-elected as a Member of Parliament for the Port Vila Constituency with the highest number of votes. He supported
Ham Lini
Ham is pork from a leg cut that has been preserved by wet or dry curing, with or without smoking."Bacon: Bacon and Ham Curing" in ''Chambers's Encyclopædia''. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 2, p. 39. As a processed meat, the term "ham ...
for the post of Prime Minister, but Lini was defeated; however,
Serge Vohor
Rialuth Serge Vohor (born 23 April 1955) is a Vanuatuan politician. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.
He was a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a centrist political party, until 2022. When his ...
was ousted in a
motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence, also variously called a vote of no confidence, no-confidence motion, motion of confidence, or vote of confidence, is a statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility like in government or m ...
and Ham Lini was elected Prime Minister. Being Vanua'aku Party President entitled Natapei to the post of Speaker of the House, which he declined and referred to
Sam Dan Avock, who was a Party Executive Member.
Natapei became minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities in the Lini-led government in July 2005.
[ A split in Vanua'aku Pati was resolved in August 2005, and Natapei was re-elected as its president,]["Former PM to lead reunified party in Vanuatu"]
ABC Radio Australia, 31 August 2005. receiving 124 votes against 67 for Sela Molisa
Sela Molisa (15 December 1950 – 21 August 2022) was a Vanuatuan politician, who was a member of the Parliament of Vanuatu from 1982 to 2012, .[ In late July 2007 he became Minister of Public Utilities again, replacing ]Serge Vohor
Rialuth Serge Vohor (born 23 April 1955) is a Vanuatuan politician. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.
He was a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a centrist political party, until 2022. When his ...
, as well as becoming Deputy Prime Minister.
Second term as Prime Minister (2008–2011)
Natapei was elected Prime Minister on 22 September 2008, by the Parliament of Vanuatu
The Parliament of Vanuatu ( bi, Palamen blong Vanuatu; french: Parlement du Vanuatu) is the unicameral legislative body of the Republic of Vanuatu.
It was established by chapter 4 of the 1980 Constitution, upon Vanuatu's independence from Fra ...
after three weeks of negotiations following the country's September 2nd general election. Natapei received 27 of the 52 votes in Parliament to become Prime Minister for a second time and a second non-consecutive term.[ He narrowly beat his nearest opponent, ]Maxime Carlot Korman
Maxime Carlot Korman (born 26 April 1941) is a Vanuatuan politician, formerly serving as the speaker of the Parliament and formerly as acting president. He served as the prime minister of Vanuatu for nearly five years, first from 16 December 199 ...
, another former Vanuatu Prime Minister and the leader of the Vanuatu Republican Party
The Vanuatu Republican Party (french: Parti Républicain de Vanuatu, bi, Ripablikan Pati blong Vanuatu) is a centrist political party in Vanuatu.
At the last 2016 Vanuatuan general election, general elections, held on 22 January 2016, they won ...
, who captured 25 votes in Parliament.[ Natapei succeeded ]Ham Lini
Ham is pork from a leg cut that has been preserved by wet or dry curing, with or without smoking."Bacon: Bacon and Ham Curing" in ''Chambers's Encyclopædia''. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 2, p. 39. As a processed meat, the term "ham ...
as Prime Minister and headed a new coalition government encompassing his own Vanua'aku Pati
The Vanua'aku Pati () is a democratic socialist political party in Vanuatu.
History
The party was founded on 17 August 1971 by Walter Lini as the New Hebridean Cultural Association, renamed later that same year as the New Hebrides National Party ...
, as well as Lini's National United Party, independents and several smaller political parties, such as Namangi Aute
The Reunification Movement for Change (sometimes written as the Reunification of Movements for Change) is a political party in Vanuatu resulting from a split in the Union of Moderate Parties in 2012. At the 2016 election the party won 3.44% of the ...
.
Natapei pledged to continue the policies and reforms of the outgoing Lini government.[ He announced that some of his government's primary policies would include transparency, ]good governance
Good governance is the process of measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption and with due regard for th ...
and fighting corruption.[
Opposition leader Maxime Carlot Korman attempted a ]vote of no confidence
A motion of no confidence, also variously called a vote of no confidence, no-confidence motion, motion of confidence, or vote of confidence, is a statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility like in government or mana ...
motion just two days after Natapei became Prime Minister. The Opposition
Opposition may refer to:
Arts and media
* ''Opposition'' (Altars EP), 2011 EP by Christian metalcore band Altars
* The Opposition (band), a London post-punk band
* '' The Opposition with Jordan Klepper'', a late-night television series on Com ...
, led by Korman, claimed that two MPs had defected from the Natapei coalition and were now supporting Korman. However, the Speaker of the Parliament George Wells rejected Korman's motion against Natapei on a technicality
The term legal technicality is a casual or colloquial phrase referring to a technical aspect of law. The phrase is not a term of art in the law; it has no exact meaning, nor does it have a legal definition. It implies that strict adherence to the ...
saying that one of the two MPs in question had not withdrawn their support for Natapei's government.[ A no-confidence vote was nevertheless held on 3 October 2008, but the motion was defeated, with 20 votes in favor and 31 votes against. Because Natapei's government won the vote by a substantial margin, it was expected that the political situation would be stabilized as a result. Nevertheless, another motion of no confidence was attempted on 25 November 2008; Natapei survived the vote by a narrow margin of 26 to 24. Three Vanua'aku Pati MPs signed the motion of no confidence, and after they refused to withdraw their signatures, Natapei suspended them from the party immediately prior to the vote.
In November 2009 Prime Minister Natapei, facing another ]vote of no confidence
A motion of no confidence, also variously called a vote of no confidence, no-confidence motion, motion of confidence, or vote of confidence, is a statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility like in government or mana ...
, organized a second major cabinet reshuffle. Natapei removed half of his cabinet members and cut ties with two political parties, the National United Party and the Vanuatu Republican Party
The Vanuatu Republican Party (french: Parti Républicain de Vanuatu, bi, Ripablikan Pati blong Vanuatu) is a centrist political party in Vanuatu.
At the last 2016 Vanuatuan general election, general elections, held on 22 January 2016, they won ...
, when it was revealed that the parties and their members were planning to launch a no confidence motion against his government.[
Natapei replaced the sacked cabinet members with sixteen members from the opposition Alliance.][ Among the highest profile reshuffles, ]Ham Lini
Ham is pork from a leg cut that has been preserved by wet or dry curing, with or without smoking."Bacon: Bacon and Ham Curing" in ''Chambers's Encyclopædia''. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 2, p. 39. As a processed meat, the term "ham ...
, Natapei's predecessor and a member of the NUP, was replaced as Natapei's deputy prime minister by the leader of the Alliance bloc, Sato Kilman.[ In 2010 ]Maxime Carlot Korman
Maxime Carlot Korman (born 26 April 1941) is a Vanuatuan politician, formerly serving as the speaker of the Parliament and formerly as acting president. He served as the prime minister of Vanuatu for nearly five years, first from 16 December 199 ...
was replaced as the Speaker of parliament by George Wells only for Kormanti to return later and succeed Wells in the position again .[ Alliance leader Sato Kilman confirmed that because of the reshuffle the Natapei government now had the support of 33 of the 52 MPs in the House.][
On 27 November 2009, Natapei became ineligible to continue serving as Prime Minister. His parliamentary seat was declared vacant as he had missed three parliamentary sittings without informing the Speaker of the House. Despite being overseas on legitimate parliamentary business, his staff had failed to file the necessary paperwork with the Speaker to give notice of his absence. Serge Vohor became the acting Prime Minister. On December 5, however, Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek ruled that "the Speaker’s decision to unseat the PM on 27 November 2009 was ‘unconstitutional and of no legal effect’". On December 10, Parliament formally confirmed their confidence in Natapei, who thus remained Prime Minister.
As of June 2010 Natapei retained the Prime Ministership, with the support of 34 MPs (against 18 for the Opposition).
On December 2, 2010 Natapei was ousted by a vote of no confidence. He was succeeded by Sato Kilman.
On June 16, 2011 however, Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek ruled in a case put forward by Natapei, contesting the constitutionality of Kilman's election. Lunabek ruled that Kilman's election to office had indeed been unconstitutional, as " e speaker of Parliament ]Maxime Carlot Korman
Maxime Carlot Korman (born 26 April 1941) is a Vanuatuan politician, formerly serving as the speaker of the Parliament and formerly as acting president. He served as the prime minister of Vanuatu for nearly five years, first from 16 December 199 ...
adappointed Mr Kilman prime minister without following article 41 of the constitution
A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.
When these princ ...
which required he be elected by secret ballot". Kilman's premiership was annulled, and Natapei was restored as interim Prime Minister, instructed to convene Parliament for the election of a new Prime Minister. Natapei immediately indicated that he himself would not be a candidate for the position, and that he would support Serge Vohor
Rialuth Serge Vohor (born 23 April 1955) is a Vanuatuan politician. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.
He was a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a centrist political party, until 2022. When his ...
's candidacy.["Vohor is candidate for PM: Natapei"](_blank)
''Vanuatu Daily Post'', June 18, 2011
During his interim premiership, Natapei cancelled Vanuatu's diplomatic recognition of Abkhazia, issued by Kilman the previous month.
On June 26, Parliament elected Sato Kilman to the premiership, with 29 votes to Serge Vohor's 23, thus ending Natapei's interim duties.
First cabinet
Natapei named his government's cabinet line-up on 22 September 2008, the day of his election as Prime Minister. His cabinet included members of his own Vanua'aku Pati
The Vanua'aku Pati () is a democratic socialist political party in Vanuatu.
History
The party was founded on 17 August 1971 by Walter Lini as the New Hebridean Cultural Association, renamed later that same year as the New Hebrides National Party ...
(VP) as well as the National United Party (VNUP).[ Natapei's predecessor, outgoing Prime Minister ]Ham Lini
Ham is pork from a leg cut that has been preserved by wet or dry curing, with or without smoking."Bacon: Bacon and Ham Curing" in ''Chambers's Encyclopædia''. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 2, p. 39. As a processed meat, the term "ham ...
, was named as the new Minister for Public Utilities
A public utility company (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure). Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and ...
and Works.[
Natapei's full cabinet included:][
* ]Bakoa Kaltongga
Pakoa Kaltonga, also known as Bakoa Kaltongga (born 6 April 1969), is a ni-Vanuatu politician. He is a member of the Leaders Party of Vanuatu. as the Minister of Justice and Social Welfare ( VP)
* Sela Molisa
Sela Molisa (15 December 1950 – 21 August 2022) was a Vanuatuan politician, who was a member of the Parliament of Vanuatu from 1982 to 2012, as Finance Minister (VP)
* Paul Telukluk as Lands Minister (Namangi Aute
The Reunification Movement for Change (sometimes written as the Reunification of Movements for Change) is a political party in Vanuatu resulting from a split in the Union of Moderate Parties in 2012. At the 2016 election the party won 3.44% of the ...
) (Telukluk is the lone member of Natapei's cabinet from Namangi Aute.)[
* ]Charlot Salwai
Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas (born 24 April 1963)["Hon. Charlot Salwai"](_blank)
Vanuatu Pa ...
as Minister of Education (Union of Moderate Parties)
* Serge Vohor
Rialuth Serge Vohor (born 23 April 1955) is a Vanuatuan politician. He hails from the largest island of Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, from Port Olry.
He was a member of the Union of Moderate Parties, a centrist political party, until 2022. When his ...
as Minister for Infrastructure & Public Utilities (UMP)
* Sato Kilman as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industries (People's Progressive Party)
* Moana Carcasses Kalosil
Moana Carcasses Kalosil (born 27 January 1963) is a Vanuatuan politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from March 2013 to May 2014. He was the first naturalized citizen of Vanuatu to become the country's prime minister.
Carcasses was ouste ...
as the Minister for Internal Affairs (Greens)
* Moses Kahu as Minister of Health (VP)
* Stephen Kalsakau as Minister of Agriculture
* Joe Natuman
Joe Natuman (born 24 November 1952) is a Vanuatuan politician of the Vanua'aku Pati and former Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
He is a graduate of the University of the South Pacific, and was also an exchange student at the University of Papua New Gu ...
as Minister of Foreign Affairs (VP)
* Raphael Worwor as Minister of Youth, Development and Training (UMP)
A few days before the motion of no confidence was debated in Parliament Prime Minister Natapei brought into the government side the Union Of Moderate Parties (UMP) and reshuffled his cabinet for the first time as follows:
* Bakoa Kaltongga
Pakoa Kaltonga, also known as Bakoa Kaltongga (born 6 April 1969), is a ni-Vanuatu politician. He is a member of the Leaders Party of Vanuatu. as the Minister of Foreign Affairs ( VP)
* Sela Molisa
Sela Molisa (15 December 1950 – 21 August 2022) was a Vanuatuan politician, who was a member of the Parliament of Vanuatu from 1982 to 2012, as Finance Minister (VP)
* Joe Natuman
Joe Natuman (born 24 November 1952) is a Vanuatuan politician of the Vanua'aku Pati and former Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
He is a graduate of the University of the South Pacific, and was also an exchange student at the University of Papua New Gu ...
as Minister of Health (VP) (Replacing Roro Sambo (VNUP))
* Ham Lini
Ham is pork from a leg cut that has been preserved by wet or dry curing, with or without smoking."Bacon: Bacon and Ham Curing" in ''Chambers's Encyclopædia''. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 2, p. 39. As a processed meat, the term "ham ...
as DPM and Minister for Justice and Social Welfare (Replacing Joshua Kalsakau)( VNUP)
* James Bule as Minister for Trade, Commerce & Industries (VNUP)
* Patrick Crowby as the Minister for Internal Affairs (VNUP)
* Havo Moli as Minister of Agriculture
* Don Ken as Minister of Youth, Development and Training
* Serge Vohor as Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities (UMP)
* Raphael Worwor as Minister of Lands (UMP) (Replacing Joe Natuman)
* Charlot Salwai as Minister of Education (UMP) (Replacing Willie Ruben Abel)
* Esmon Saimon as Minister of Ni Vanuatu Business (Independent)
Later career
Natapei was Leader of the Opposition during Sato Kilman's premiership (2011–2013). On 21 March 2013, Kilman resigned, after eight of his MPs (including two government ministers) had crossed the floor to join the Opposition. Natapei backed Moana Carcasses Kalosil
Moana Carcasses Kalosil (born 27 January 1963) is a Vanuatuan politician. He was Prime Minister of Vanuatu from March 2013 to May 2014. He was the first naturalized citizen of Vanuatu to become the country's prime minister.
Carcasses was ouste ...
(leader of the Green Confederation
The Green Confederation ( bi, Vanuatu Grin Konfederesen, french: Confédération des Verts Vanuatu; sometimes seen as the Greens Confederation or Vanuatu Green Confederation) is a green political party in Vanuatu.
At the legislative election of ...
) as the new Prime Minister, and Carcasses appointed him Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs on 23 March. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, he applied Carcasses' policy in beginning a clean-up of the sale of diplomatic passport
A passport is an official travel document issued by a government that contains a person's identity. A person with a passport can travel to and from foreign countries more easily and access consular assistance. A passport certifies the personal ...
s by previous governments. Within his first few days in office, he revoked the passports of "about ten" diplomats who are understood to have bought them. In a review praised by Transparency International
Transparency International e.V. (TI) is a German registered association founded in 1993 by former employees of the World Bank. Based in Berlin, its nonprofit and non-governmental purpose is to take action to combat global corruption with civil ...
, he indicated that more than two thirds of the country's diplomats could lose their position, as their appointment had not followed proper procedures.
Natapei lost office when the Carcasses government was brought down by a motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence, also variously called a vote of no confidence, no-confidence motion, motion of confidence, or vote of confidence, is a statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility like in government or m ...
on 15 May 2014.
Natapei died on 28 July 2015 at the age of 61 following a long illness.
References
External links
Government of Vanuatu
– official website
Pacific Magazine: Vanuatu promises new backing for West Papuans
the United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Curr ...
, September 27, 2010
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Natapei, Edward
1954 births
2015 deaths
Presidents of Vanuatu
Prime Ministers of Vanuatu
Speakers of the Parliament of Vanuatu
Foreign Ministers of Vanuatu
Members of the Parliament of Vanuatu
Vanua'aku Pati politicians
Vanuatuan socialists
People from Tafea Province