Government of the Marshall Islands


The government of the Marshall Islands operates under a mixed parliamentary-presidential system as set forth in its Constitution. Elections are held every four years in universal suffrage, with each of the 24 constituencies electing one or more representatives to the lower house of RMI's unicameral legislature, the Nitijela. The President, who is head of state as well as head of government, is elected by the 33 senators of the Nitijela. Four of the five Marshallese presidents who have been elected since the Constitution was adopted in 1979 have been traditional paramount chiefs.
Governance occurs in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, and of an emerging multi-party system, whereby the President of the Marshall Islands is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Nitijela.
The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Executive branch

The president is elected by the Nitijela from among its members. Presidents pick cabinet members from the Nitijela. Amata Kabua was elected as the first president of the republic in 1979. Subsequently, he was re-elected to four-year terms in 1983, 1987, 1991, and 1996. After Amata Kabua's death in office, his first cousin, Imata Kabua, won a special election in 1997. The current president was elected and took office on January 14, 2020.
The executive branch consists of the President and the Presidential Cabinet, which consists of ten ministers appointed by the President with the approval of the Nitijela. President appoints, among the members of Nitijela, Minister in Assistance to the President of Marshall Islands who acts as a substitute for the President.

Legislative branch

The legislative branch of the government of the Marshall Islands consists of the Legislature with an advisory council of high chiefs. Legislative power lies with the Nitijela. The upper house of Parliament called the Council of Iroij, is an advisory body composed of 12 tribal chiefs. The Nitijela has 33 members, elected for a four-year term in 19 single-seat and five multi-seat constituencies. Members are called Senators.
The Legislature was last elected 17 November 2011 without the participation of parties, though part of the members could be members of the AKA and United Democratic Party.
The 24 electoral districts into which the country is divided correspond to the inhabited islands and atolls. There are currently four political parties in the Marshall Islands: Aelon Kein Ad, Kien Eo Am, United People's Party, and United Democratic Party. As of 2011 legislative elections, rule is shared by the AKA and the KEA. The following senators are currently in the legislative body:
ConstituencyMemberTitle
Ailinglaplap AtollAlfred Alfred Jr.Minister of Resources and Development
Ailinglaplap AtollChristopher LoeakSenator, former President
Ailuk AtollMaynard AlfredSenator
Arno AtollJejwarick AntonVice Speaker
Arno AtollMike HalfertyMinister of Transportation and Communication
Aur AtollHilda C. HeinePresident
Ebon AtollJohn SilkMinister of Foreign Affairs
Enewetak AtollJack AdingSenator
Jabat IslandKessai NoteSenator, former President
Jaluit AtollDaisy Alik-MomotaroSenator
Jaluit AtollCasten NemraSenator, former President
Kili IslandEldon NoteSenator
Kwajalein AtollAlvin JacklickSenator
Kwajalein AtollMichael KabuaSenator
Kwajalein AtollDavid PaulMinister in Assistance to the President
Lae AtollThomas HeineMinister of Justice
Lib IslandJerakoj BejangSenator
Likiep AtollLeander Leander Jr.Senator
Majuro AtollKalani KanekoMinister of Health
Majuro AtollDavid KramerSenator
Majuro AtollTony MullerMinister of Public Works
Majuro AtollSherwood TibonSenator
Majuro AtollBrensan WaseMinister of Finance
Maloelap AtollBruce BilimonSenator
Mejit IslandDennis MomotaroSenator
Mili AtollWilbur HeineMinister of Education
Namdrik AtollWisely ZackhrasSenator
Namu AtollTony AiseiaSenator
Rongelap AtollKenneth KediSpeaker
Ujae AtollAtbi RiklonSenator
Utirik AtollAmenta MatthewMinister of Internal Affairs
Wotho AtollDavid KabuaSenator
Wotje AtollLitokwa TomeingSenator, former President

Municipalities

The Marshall Islands is divided into 33 municipalities:

Foreign affairs and defense

The Compact of Free Association with the United States gives the U.S. sole responsibility for international defense of the Marshall Islands. It allows islanders to live and work in the United States and establishes economic and technical aid programs.

Judicial branch

The Republic of the Marshall Islands has four court systems: Supreme Court, High Court, district and community courts, and the traditional rights court. Trial is by judge or jury. Jurisdiction of the traditional rights court is limited to cases involving titles, land rights, or other disputes arising from customary law and traditional practice.