23 Facts About Litokwa Tomeing

Iroij Litokwa Tomeing was the President of the Marshall Islands from January 2008 until October 2009.

Litokwa Tomeing was born on Wotje Atoll, in the Japanese-administered Marshall Islands, on October 14,1939.

From 1950 until 1954, Tomeing attended the Catholic Elementary School, first in Likiep and then in Jaluit.

In 1961, Litokwa Tomeing graduated from PIC High School in Pohnpei.

Litokwa Tomeing died on 12 October 2020, in Springdale, Arkansas, United States.

Litokwa Tomeing became a principal and teacher at Ebon Elementary School in 1961, and remained with the school until 1964.

Litokwa Tomeing then moved to Majuro, where he taught at Rita Elementary School from 1965 until 1968.

Litokwa Tomeing remained in office as Mayor of Wotje from 1965 until 1969.

Litokwa Tomeing taught at Wotje Elementary School from 1968 until 1973, while continuing to serve as mayor.

Litokwa Tomeing moved back to Majuro in 1974, where he was employed at the Marshall Islands High School as the school's Media and Curriculum specialist.

Litokwa Tomeing campaigned for and won a seat in the Nitijela, representing a constituency which included the Ebon Atoll, Namdrik Atoll, Kili, and Jaluit atolls.

In 1976, Litokwa Tomeing was appointed as one of the Marshallese delegates at the Federated States of Micronesia Constitutional Convention, which was held in Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands.

In 1978, Litokwa Tomeing became a delegate and member at large to the Marshall Islands Constitutional Convention, which was held in Majuro.

Litokwa Tomeing was again elected as one of the 33 members of the Nitijela in 1979, shortly after the political separation of the Marshall Islands from the neighboring Federated States of Micronesia.

Litokwa Tomeing has held a seat in the Nitijela continuously since 1979, as of January 2019.

Litokwa Tomeing served as the Vice Speaker of the Nitijela from 1992 to 1995.

Litokwa Tomeing then became a member of the Cabinet as the Minister-in-Assistance to the President from 1996 until 1998.

Litokwa Tomeing held a "supervisory role" over the Ratak Chain as part of his cabinet position.

Litokwa Tomeing served as Speaker of the Nitijela for eight years before defecting from the governing United Democratic Party to the opposition in November 2007, shortly before the November 2007 parliamentary election.

Litokwa Tomeing was elected president on 7 January 2008 by the Nitijela, receiving 18 votes over 15 for incumbent Kessai Note.

However, in office Litokwa Tomeing expressed continued support for ties with Taiwan and met with the vice-president of Taiwan, Annette Lu, when she visited the Marshall Islands on 29 January 2008.

President Litokwa Tomeing inaugurated a consulate in Springdale, Arkansas, on September 28,2009.

Litokwa Tomeing was removed from office by the Marshall Islands' first successful vote of no confidence on 21 October 2009.