A Brief History of the Marshall Islands as a Member of the Trust Territory
In the sixteenth century Spain laid claim to the Marshall Islands and later sold it to the Germans during the Spanish-American war in 1898. Japan captured the Marshall Islands from Germany during World War I and later lost it to the United States during World War II.
Under a 1947 Trusteeship Agreement with the United Nations, the United States administered the Marshall Islands and other Micronesian countries. Under the Trusteeship Agreement the United States assumed the obligation to foster the development of political institutions such as suited for member countries of the Trust Territory.
The United States was tasked with promoting the development of the inhabitants of the Trust Territory towards independence according to the wishes of the peoples concerned. A bicameral Congress of Micronesia was established in 1964 of which the Marshall Islands was a part.
Brief Overview of Political Development in the Republic of the Marshall Islands
In 1978 the Marshall Islands in a referendum broke away from the rest of Micronesia and opted for a separate Constitution. In 1979 its Constitution was ratified. The country gained independence and signed a compact of free association with the United States in 1986.
The 1979 constitution provides for a unicameral parliamentary system. However, the President is elected by members of the Nitijela (parliament), and serves as the head of government as well as the head of state. A consultative upper house for traditional leaders known as the Council of Irooj Advises on customary issues.
Members of Nitijela From the Inception
1st - 4th Constitutional Regular Session
1. H.E. President Amata Kabua |
Majuro Atoll |
2. Speaker Atlan Anien |
Namu Atoll |
3. Vice Speaker Namo Hermios |
Maloelap Atoll |
4. Minister Ataji Balos |
Kwajalein Atoll |
5. Minister Kunar Abner |
Ailuk Atoll |
6. Minister Wilfred Kendall |
Majuro Atoll |
7. Minister Tom Kijjiner |
Likiep Atoll |
8. Minister Atjang Paul |
Ailinglaplap Atoll |
9. Minister Kessai H Note |
Jabot Island |
10. Minister Jina Lavin |
Majuro Atoll |
11. Minister Henry Samuel |
Majuro Atoll |
12. Minister Ruben Zackhras |
Ailinglaplap Atoll |
13. Senator Toke Sawej |
Majuro Atoll |
14. Senator Imata Kabua |
Kwajalein Atoll |
15. Senator Jolly Lojekar |
Kwajalein Atoll |
16. Senator Katip Mack |
Arno Atoll |
17. Senator Kanchi Ibbino |
Arno Atoll |
18. Senator Carl Heine |
Jaluit Atoll |
19. Senator Evelyn Konou |
Jaluit Atoll |
20. Senator Alee Alik |
Mili Atoll |
21. Senator Ekpap Silk |
Ebon Atoll |
22. Senator Pijja Jerwan |
Lib Atoll |
23. Senator Andrew Hiseah |
Namdrik Atoll |
24. Senator Litokwa Tomeign |
Wotje Atoll |
25. Senator Beasa Peter |
Aur Atoll |
26. Senator Mwejor Mathusla |
Wotho Atoll |
27. Senator Ishmael John |
Enewetak & Ujelang Atoll |
28. Senator Henchi Balos |
Kili, Bikini & Ejit Atoll |
29. Senator Jeton Anjain |
Rongelap Atoll |
30. Senator Report Emius |
Mejit Island |
31. Senator Donald Matthew |
Utrik Atoll |
32. Senator Jimmy Akeang |
Lae Atoll |
33. Senator Calep Rantak |
Ujae Atoll |
5th - 8th Constitutional Regular Session
1. H.E President Amata Kabua |
Majuro Atoll |
2. Speaker Atlan Anien |
Namo Atoll |
3. V-Speaker Andrew Hiseah |
Namdrik Atoll |
4. Minister Tony deBrum |
Majuro Atoll |
5. Minister Tom Kijiner |
Likiep Atoll |
6. Minister Brenson S. Wase |
Arno Atoll |
7. Minister Kessai H. Note |
Jabot Island |
8. Minister Charles Domnick |
Maloelap Atoll |
9. Minister Phillip Muller |
Majuro Atoll |
10. Minister Ruben Zackhras |
Alinglaplap Atoll |
11. Minister Kunio Lemari |
Wotho Atoll |
12. Minister Kunar Abner |
Ailuk Atoll |
13. Minister Henchi Balos |
Kili, Bikini & Ejit Atoll |
14. Senator Tipne Philippo |
Lae Atoll |
15. Senator Chuji Chutaro |
Mili Atoll |
16. Senator Jeton Anjain |
Rongelap Atoll |
17. Senator Ataji Balos |
Kwajalein Atoll |
18. Senator Report Emius |
Mejit Island |
19. Senator Carl Heine |
Jaluit Atoll |
20. Senator Henry Samuael |
Majuro Atoll |
21. Senator Alden Bejang |
Lib Atoll |
22. Senator Ishmael John |
Ujelang/Enewetak Atoll |
23. Senator Imata Kabua |
Kwajalein Atoll |
24. Senator Evelyn Konou |
Jaluit Atoll |
25. Senator Hermios Kibin |
Kwajalein Atoll |
26. Senator Hemos A. Jack |
Majuro Atoll |
27. Senator Christopher J. Loeak |
Alinglaplap Atoll |
28. Senator Donald Matthew |
Utrik Atoll |
29. Senator Amsa Jonathan |
Aur Atoll |
30. Senator Calep Rantak |
Ujae Atoll |
31. Senator Leikman Robert |
Arno Atoll |
32. Senator Ekpap Silk |
Ebon Atoll |
33. Senator Litokwa Tomeing |
Wotje Atoll |
9th - 12th Constitutional Regular Session
1. H.E President Amata Kabua |
Majuro Atoll |
2. Speaker Kessai H. Note |
Jabot Island |
3. V-Speaker Andrew Hiseah |
Namdrik Atoll |
4. Minister Henchi Balos |
Kili, Bikini & Ejit atolls |
5. Minister Ruben Zackhras |
Alinglaplap Atoll |
6. Minister Antonio Eliu |
Ujae Atoll |
7. Minister Kunio Lemari |
Wotho Atoll |
8. Minister Amsa Jonathan |
Aur Atoll |
9. Minister Phillip Muller |
Majuro Atoll |
10. Minister Tom Kijiner |
Likiep Atoll |
11. Minister Kunar Abner |
Ailuk Atoll |
12. Minister Christopher J. Loeak |
Alinglaplap Atoll |
13. Minister Brenson S. Wase |
Arno Atoll |
14. Senator Jeton Anjain |
Rongelap Atoll |
15. Senator Alden Bejang |
Lib Atoll |
16. Senator Ataji Balos |
Kwajalein Atoll |
17. Senator Hiroshi Yamamura |
Utrik Atoll |
18. Senator Report Hemius |
Mejit Island |
19. Senator Carl Heine |
Jaluit Atoll |
20. Senator Hemos A. Jack |
Majuro Atoll |
21. Senator Ishmael John |
Ujelang & Enewetak Atoll |
22. Senator Evelyn Konou |
Jaluit Atoll |
23. Senator Hermios Kibin |
Kwajalein Atoll |
24. Senator Lomes McKay |
Maloelap Atoll |
25. Senator Ring Eliu |
Lae Atoll |
26. Senator Tony deBrum |
Majuro Atoll |
27. Senator Alee Alik |
Mili Atoll |
28. Senator Leikman Robert |
Arno Atoll |
29. Senator Henry Samuel |
Majuro Atoll |
30. Senator Atlan Anien |
Namu Atoll |
31. Senator Imata Kabua |
Kwajalein Atoll |
32. Senator Michael Kabua |
Ebon Atoll |
33. Senator Litokwa Tomeing |
Wotje Atoll |