15 Facts About Kennan Adeang

Kennan Ranibok Adeang was a Nauruan politician who served as President of Nauru for three separate very brief periods during the late 20th century.

Kennan Adeang first became president in 1986, serving two short terms at the end of that year, one lasting 15 days and the other only 11 days.

Kennan Adeang again served as president in late 1996, but lost power in a motion of no confidence after only 24 days in office.

Kennan Adeang was active in parliament until 2000, serving at various times in the Cabinet, and as Speaker from February 1997 to December 1998.

Kennan Adeang was born in Nauru and educated in Nauru and Australia, attending the Australian School of Pacific Administration from 1962 to 1963.

Kennan Adeang was first elected to parliament for the seat of Ubenide in 1971, replacing Derog Gioura, but was forced to resign a few months later; Gioura re-took his seat in the parliament.

Kennan Adeang was re-elected in 1973 to serve a second term but lost his seat again to Gioura in the 1976 elections.

Kennan Adeang had to resign again in 1987 for two months but was re-elected in the following by-election.

Kennan Adeang was regarded as a strong opponent of Hammer DeRoburt, who had served as Nauru's first president.

In 1987, Kennan Adeang was involved in the establishment of the Democratic Party of Nauru, one of the first official groupings of Nauruan parliamentarians since the 1970s.

Kennan Adeang was Minister of Finance under Kenas Aroi from August 1989 to December 1989.

Kennan Adeang again held the Presidency of Nauru in November and December 1996.

Kennan Adeang gained office following a vote of no confidence in November 1996 but lost it in the same way in December of the same year.

Early in 1998, in his capacity as Speaker, Kennan Adeang required five members of the house to resign, including the former President Lagumot Harris, following remarks made about him in an opposition newsletter.

Kennan Adeang was appointed to the position of High Commissioner to Fiji during 2007, during which time he was accused of, and denied, verbally abusing two ministers.