Jurelang Zedkaia

Iroijlaplap Jurelang Zedkaia (13 July 1950 – 7 October 2015) was a Marshallese politician and Iroijlaplap. He served as the President of the Marshall Islands from 2009 to 2012. He was elected as the country's 5th head of state on October 26, 2009, following the ouster of his predecessor, Litokwa Tomeing, in the country's first successful vote of no confidence.

Biography

Zedkaia was the Iroijlaplap, or traditional paramount chief, of Majuro Atoll, which is the location of the country's capital, Arno and Mili atolls. Zedkaia worked in pharmacy for 15 years and 6 years in the Majuro Atoll Local Government. Zedkaia entered the Nitijela in 1981 as representative and senator of Majuro Atoll, a post he served in the duration of his time in the Nitijela.

President of the Marshall Islands

Zedkaia's predecessor, Litokwa Tomeing, was defeated in a vote of no confidence on October 21, 2009, in a motion led by former president Kessai Note.

A presidential election, the outcome of which was determined by the 33-member Nitijela, took place on October 26, 2009. Speaker Zedkaia and former President Kessai Note were the only candidates for the presidency. He was sworn into office on November 2, 2009.

Zedkaia nominated Alvin Jacklick as the new Speaker, who was confirmed without opposition.

Zedkaia's mother, Leroij Atama Zedkaia, the paramount chief of Majuro Atoll, died on November 19, 2010, at the age of 79. Zedkaia had previously carried out chiefly duties on behalf of his mother during her lifetime. Zedkaia died in Majuro on 7 October 2015, aged 65.

President Zedkaia (middle), flanked by Speaker Alvin Jacklick (L) and U.S. ambassador Martha Campbell.