The Marshall Islands hosts an important American missile testing range but has been racked by leadership disputes over future long-term military use of the base. Zedkaia indicated he will be working to bring peace to the factionalism that has characterized the country’s parliament since the last national election in late 2007.
The Marshall Islands has seen numerous party defections and alliances in parliament form, split and reform in the leadership struggle that surrounded the 22-month term of former President Litokwa Tomeing, ousted late last month in this western Pacific nation’s first successful vote of no confidence.
New parliament Speaker Alvin Jacklick said the country needed to “hold hands” to get moving.
“Though our government may change the problems we face remain the same,” said Zedkaia. “How we manage our health care system has to improve, the education level of our children has to improve, our economy has to improve, life for outer islander has to get easier, and our friendship with other countries has to expand and strengthen.”
The inauguration of the Marshalls’ fifth president followed two weeks of acrimonious debate in parliament in the wake of the country’s third no confidence motion in 12 months. Opponents of previous President Litokwa Tomeing ousted him by a one-vote majority Oct. 21, but could not muster enough votes for their candidate, former President Kessai Note, to win.
Zedkaia was elected last week Monday on a one-vote majority, along with Speaker Jacklick, who takes Zedkaia’s post at the head of parliament. Both are five-term senators in the country’s parliament.
The mood at Monday’s 90-minute inauguration, punctuated by choir singing and light-hearted jokes from Jacklick, was a sharp contrast to the harsh debate and finger-pointing in the lead up to the no confidence vote just two weeks ago.
“I promise you from this day forth Nitijela (parliament) and cabinet are married and we will work together,” said Jacklick to underline the message that he intends to maintain close ties with the executive branch.
So divided has the parliament been that the body’s chaplain, Rev. Enja Enos, prayed at the end of the ceremony that the parliament would work to “unite the Marshall Islands. Divided we are very weak. In unity there is power.”
