List of Presidents of Vanuatu: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Vanuatu from 1980 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Vanuatu, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Vanuatu: Nikenike Vurobaravu (in office since 2022). Vanuatu became independent on 30 July 1980. The president is a largely ceremonial head of state elected for a five-year term by an electoral college of Parliament and regional council presidents; the speaker of Parliament acts as president when the office is vacant, so many of the shorter entries are acting presidents.

Presidents of Vanuatu in order, with years in office

Ati George Sokomanu

Served: 1980–1989

First president at independence on 30 July 1980; Fred Timakata was acting president for 20 days in February–March 1984, and Sokomanu's term ended on 12 January 1989.

Fred Timakata

Served: 1984, 1989–1994

Acting president for 20 days in 1984, then elected president and served a full five-year term from 30 January 1989 to 30 January 1994.

Onneyn Tahi

Served: 1989

Acting president from 12 to 30 January 1989, between Sokomanu and Timakata.

Alfred Maseng

Served: 1994, 2004

Acting president for 31 days in early 1994; in April–May 2004 he held the office de facto until the Supreme Court invalidated his election.

Jean-Marie Léyé

Served: 1994–1999

Elected on 2 March 1994 and served a five-year term.

Edward Natapei

Served: 1999

Acting president from 2 to 24 March 1999.

John Bani

Served: 1999–2004

Elected in March 1999 and served a five-year term.

Roger Abiut

Served: 2004

Acting president from 24 March to 12 April 2004 and again from 11 May to 28 July 2004.

Josias Moli

Served: 2004

Acting president from 28 July to 16 August 2004.

Kalkot Mataskelekele

Served: 2004–2009

Elected in August 2004 and served a five-year term.

Maxime Carlot Korman

Served: 2009

Acting president from 16 August to 2 September 2009.

Iolu Abil

Served: 2009–2014

Elected in September 2009 and served a five-year term.

Philip Boedoro

Served: 2014

Acting president from 2 to 22 September 2014.

Baldwin Lonsdale

Served: 2014–2017

Elected in September 2014 and died in office on 17 June 2017.

Esmon Saimon

Served: 2017

Acting president from 17 June to 6 July 2017.

Tallis Obed Moses

Served: 2017–2022

Elected on 6 July 2017 and served a full five-year term.

Seule Simeon

Served: 2022

Acting president from 6 to 23 July 2022.

Nikenike Vurobaravu

Served: 2022–present

Diplomat elected on 23 July 2022 after eight rounds of voting by the electoral college.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Vanuatu

Who is the current president of Vanuatu?

The current president of Vanuatu is Nikenike Vurobaravu, in office since 2022. Vanuatu became independent on 30 July 1980. The president is a largely ceremonial head of state elected for a five-year term by an electoral college of Parliament and regional council presidents; the speaker of Parliament acts as president when the office is vacant, so many of the shorter entries are acting presidents.

Who were the previous presidents of Vanuatu?

The presidents and heads of state of Vanuatu listed on this page, in order, are: Ati George Sokomanu, Fred Timakata, Onneyn Tahi, Alfred Maseng, Jean-Marie Léyé, Edward Natapei, John Bani, Roger Abiut, Josias Moli, Kalkot Mataskelekele, Maxime Carlot Korman, Iolu Abil, Philip Boedoro, Baldwin Lonsdale, Esmon Saimon, Tallis Obed Moses, Seule Simeon, Nikenike Vurobaravu.

Who was the first president of Vanuatu?

Ati George Sokomanu was the first president of Vanuatu, in office 1980–1989.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Vanuatu and Nikenike Vurobaravu; Daily Post Vanuatu, PINA and UAE WAM reports confirming Nikenike Vurobaravu in office through August 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of presidents since independence, including acting presidents.. Last reviewed November 2026.

Presidents of other Oceania countries

Presidents of Fiji · Presidents of Kiribati · Presidents of Marshall Islands · Presidents of Micronesia · Presidents of Nauru · Presidents of Palau · Presidents of Samoa · All Oceania presidents · All countries A–Z