National Flag of Kiribati
According to aceinland, the national flag of Kiribati is a blue and white banner with a red canton bearing a yellow frigate bird. It was adopted in 1979 and is the official symbol of the nation. The blue and white stripes represent the three island groups that make up the country, while the red canton is meant to symbolize unity between them. The yellow frigate bird in the center of the flag is native to Kiribati and represents freedom, power, and authority.
The flag has a width-to-length ratio of 1:2. The background consists of two parallel vertical stripes of equal width, one blue on the left side and one white on the right side, separated by a thin black line. On top of this background is a red canton with a width that takes up half of the flags length. This red canton bears an image of a yellow frigate bird with its wings spread wide as if it were taking flight. The bird has its head turned to its left side towards an orange rising sun which is located at the bottom left corner of this canton.
The blue stripe on this flag represents both Gilbert Islands (now known as Kiribati) and Line Islands while the white stripe represents Phoenix Islands (now known as Rawaki). Together these three island groups make up what we now know as Kiribati today. The red canton above these two stripes symbolizes unity between these islands, while also representing their shared culture, language, and history.
The yellow frigate bird in this design is native to Kiribati’s waters and holds special significance for many I-Kiribati people as it embodies freedom, power, and authority – values which are important in their culture. Lastly, at its bottom left corner lies an orange rising sun which symbolizes new beginnings for their nation as well as hope for their future prosperity under one united government based on democracy and justice for all citizens alike.
Presidents of Kiribati
The President of Kiribati is the head of state and government of the Republic of Kiribati. The current President, Taneti Maamau, was elected in June 2019 and took office on 11 July 2019.
The President is elected by universal adult suffrage for a four-year term. The President may serve up to three consecutive terms in office. The presidential election takes place on the third Saturday in June every four years, with any run-off elections held one week later if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.
The President serves as both the head of state and government, and is responsible for appointing cabinet members and other government officials. He/she also has responsibility over foreign affairs, defense, security, and public order. In addition to this, the President has the power to veto legislation passed by Parliament; however, this can be overridden by a two-thirds vote from Parliament.
Since independence in 1979, five presidents have held office in Kiribati: Teburoro Tito (1979–1991), Ieremia Tabai (1991–1994), Teatao Teannaki (1994–2003), Anote Tong (2003–2016) and Taneti Maamau (2019–present).
President Teburoro Tito was the first president after independence; he was re-elected twice before being removed from office due to alleged corruption charges in 1991. Ieremia Tabai then served as president until 1994 when he resigned due to health reasons; he was succeeded by Teatao Teannaki who served until 2003 when he lost his re-election bid to Anote Tong who went on to serve three consecutive terms as president until 2016 when he chose not to seek re-election due to his age. Taneti Maamau then won a landslide victory in 2019 with nearly 80% of the vote and continues to serve as president today.
Prime Ministers of Kiribati
The Prime Minister of Kiribati is the head of government and serves as the leader of the executive branch of government. The current Prime Minister, Baron Waqa, was elected in June 2016 and took office on 11 July 2016.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President from among members of Parliament who are elected by universal adult suffrage for a four-year term. The Prime Minister may serve up to three consecutive terms in office. The presidential election takes place on the third Saturday in June every four years, with any run-off elections held one week later if no candidate receives a majority of the vote.
The Prime Minister serves as both the head of government and is responsible for coordinating cabinet members and other government officials. He/she also has responsibility over domestic policy, economic development, social welfare, education and health care policies. In addition to this, the Prime Minister has to submit legislation passed by Parliament to the President for approval; however, this can be overridden by a two-thirds vote from Parliament.
Since independence in 1979, five prime ministers have held office in Kiribati: Toaripi Lauti (1979–1982), Ieremia Tabai (1982–1991), Tekiree Tamuera (1991–1994), Harry Tong (1994–2003) and Baron Waqa (2016–present).
Prime Minister Toaripi Lauti was the first prime minister after independence; he was succeeded by Ieremia Tabai who served until 1991 when he became president following Teburoro Tito’s resignation due to corruption charges. Tekiree Tamuera then served as prime minister until 1994 when he lost his re-election bid to Harry Tong who went on to serve three consecutive terms as prime minister until 2003 when he chose not to seek re-election due to his age. Baron Waqa then won a landslide victory in 2016 with nearly 80% of the vote and continues to serve as prime minister today.
