Dowiyogo’s
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
Nauru
Dowiyogo’s back again
NAURU ended the year with its third President in four months.
On December 12, 43-year-old Bernard Dowiyogo beat the 67-year-old Hammer Deßoburt 10-6 in a secret bal lot to take the presidency.
Outgoing President Kenas Aroi, who snatched power from Deßoburt in a vote of no confidence last August 17, was re covering from a severe stroke in Mel bourne and did not contest, although he was voted back to Parliament on Decem ber 9’s general elections.
This is the third time Deßoburt has lost the Presidency since coming into power on Nauru’s independence from Australia nearly 21 years ago. He first lost the presidency in 1976/1977 when for 22 weeks Dowiyogo was in office af ter the December 1976 general elections.
But Deßoburt’s supporters in the 18member Parliament forced the resigna tion of Dowiyogo by defeating a bill in Parliament dealing with phosphate royal ties. Lagumot Harris succeeded Dowiyogo. But he, too, resigned after a week in office when Parliament rejected an appropriations bill designed to fi nance the republic until the end of the year. In the ballot that followed, De- Roburt returned to power.
The new President was educated in Nauru and Australia. He is a former
teacher and was first elected to Parlia ment in 1973. In 1983 he was appointed Justice Minister in the Deßoburt Cabinet. Following Deßoburt’s defeat in August, Dowiyogo was Health and Education Minister.
The two other Presidential contenders were Kennan Adeang and Robert Kun.
The final run-off was between Deßoburt
and Dowiyogo.
The new Cabinet: President Bernard Dowiyogo: External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Islands Develop ment and Industry, Public Service.
Vinson Detenamo: Public Works, Com munity Services, Minister Assisting the President.
Vinci Clodumar: Health and Education Kennan Ranibok Adeang: Justice Kinza Clodumar: Finance □