Ionatana Ionatana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 5thPrime Minister of Tuvalu | |
| In office 27 April 1999 – 8 December 2000 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor‑General | Tomasi Puapua |
| Preceded by | Bikenibeu Paeniu |
| Succeeded by | Lagitupu Tuilimu (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 November 1938 Funafuti,Gilbert and Ellice Islands |
| Died | 8 December 2000(2000-12-08) (aged 62) Funafuti,Tuvalu |
Ionatana Ionatana, (5 November 1938 – 8 December 2000), was a political figure from thePacific nation ofTuvalu. He represented the constituency ofFunafuti in theParliament of Tuvalu. He was the fifthprime minister, and foreign minister, from 27 April 1999 until his death on 8 December 2000.[1]
He joined the police and rose to become the chief of police in 1976.[1] In 1977 he was appointed the government secretary and adviser to the cabinet.[1] On 26 April 1979, he was appointed as theambassador to the United States (non-resident).[2][3]
Ionatana was elected toParliament in the1981 Tuvalu general election. Ionatana was noted for hisrepublican leanings.
He held three portfolios in the second government ofBikenibeu Paeniu (1996 to 1998): the Minister for Health, Women and Community Affairs; Minister for Education and Culture; and the Minister for Tourism, Trade and Commerce;[4] and after the1998 election he retained the first 2 portfolios in the 3rd government of Paeniu.[4]
In 1999 Ionatana succeededBikenibeu Paeniu as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. Ionatana was elected as prime minister on 27 April 1999.[5] Among the prominent issues of his period of office, he oversaw Tuvalu's entry into theUnited Nations on 5 September 2000.[1][6] Also during his term, Tuvalu obtained the lucrative .tvinternet country suffix.[7]
On 8 December 2000, shortly after the UN entry was completed, Ionatana suddenly collapsed and died. He had been giving a speech at theVaiaku Lagi Hotel on Funafuti, and was 62 years old.[7] He was the first prime minister to die in office since Tuvalu became independent.[1][8] After his deathLagitupu Tuilimu took over as acting prime minister until 24 February 2001.
Ionatana was awarded theColonial Police Medal (CPM) in the1974 Birthday Honours.[9]
He was appointedOfficer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the1979 Birthday Honours[10] andCommander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1982.[11]
| Preceded by | Prime Minister of Tuvalu 1999–2000 | Succeeded by Lagitupu Tuilimu (acting) |