Kinza Godfrey Clodumar (8 February 1945 – 29 November 2021) was a Nauruan politician who served as
President of Nauru
The president of Nauru is elected by Parliament from among its members, and is both the head of state and the head of government of Nauru. Nauru's unicameral Parliament has 19 members, with an electoral term of 3 years. Political parties only p ...
from 1997 to 1998.
Background
Clodumar was born in Boe. He was a member of the indigenous population of Nauru, and he was concerned with environmental issues. He was a Member 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. ...
for many years.
Clodumar was the only Nauruan politician to have been elected to parliament in two different constituencies. He served his first two terms for the Aiwo Constituency when ousting Itubwa Amram in the 1971 elections; after being re-elected thrice Clodumar resigned his post in early 1979, but was re-elected in the 1983 elections. In 1992, he did not stand for the seat and moved to the neighbouring Boe Constituency, where he was re-elected in 1995 to serve a third term in parliament.
Clodumar served as Minister Assisting the President of Nauru in the cabinets of
Bernard Dowiyogo
Bernard Annen Auwen Dowiyogo (14 February 1946 – 9 March 2003) was a Nauruan politician who served as President of Nauru on seven separate occasions. During this time, he also served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Ubenide. ...
and
Kennan Adeang
Kennan Ranibok Adeang (23 December 1942 – 26 December 2011) was a Nauruan politician who served as President of Nauru for three separate periods during the late 20th century. Born in Nauru, and educated in Australia, including at the Australi ...
in 1976-1978 and from September 1986 to October 1986. He was the Speaker of the Parliament of Nauru from a short term in December 1986.
He was
Minister of Finance
A finance minister is an executive or cabinet position in charge of one or more of government finances, economic policy and financial regulation.
A finance minister's portfolio has a large variety of names around the world, such as "treasury", " ...
several times: January 1977 to January 1978, September 1986 to October 1986, December 1986 to August 1989, December 1989 to September 1993 and in November 1996.
Clodumar gave and withdrew support from several other Nauruan politicians, including
Bernard Dowiyogo
Bernard Annen Auwen Dowiyogo (14 February 1946 – 9 March 2003) was a Nauruan politician who served as President of Nauru on seven separate occasions. During this time, he also served as a Member of Parliament for the constituency of Ubenide. ...
,
René Harris
René Reynaldo Harris (11 November 1947 – 5 July 2008) was President of the Republic of Nauru four times between 1999 and 2004. He was a Member of Parliament from 1977 to 2008.Ludwig Scotty. For presidents, withdrawal of support by Clodumar often meant that a president would lose a no confidence vote.
Presidency
Clodumar was
President of Nauru
The president of Nauru is elected by Parliament from among its members, and is both the head of state and the head of government of Nauru. Nauru's unicameral Parliament has 19 members, with an electoral term of 3 years. Political parties only p ...
from 12 February 1997 until 18 June 1998, when he was deposed in a no confidence vote. He held the office of
Minister of Finance of Nauru
Ministry of Finance of Nauru is a ministry in Nauru responsible for overseeing and coordinating effective management of public finance and resources in Nauru. One of the divisions of the ministry is responsible for preparing annual budget. The min ...
during his term.
Later life
He later served again as
Minister of Finance
A finance minister is an executive or cabinet position in charge of one or more of government finances, economic policy and financial regulation.
A finance minister's portfolio has a large variety of names around the world, such as "treasury", " ...
several times: April 1999 to June 1999, May 2000 to August 2000, March 2004 to May 2004 and June 2004 to August 2004. In 2003, Clodumar himself tried to regain the presidency of Nauru twice but narrowly lost the parliamentary vote both times. He lost his seat in Parliament in the October 2004 election.
Clodumar was also noted for having founded and led the Centre Party.
He died on 29 November 2021, at the age of 76, and received a state funeral the following day.