Bikenibeu Paeniu

The Rt Hon Bikenibeu Paeniu (born May 10, 1956 Bikenibeu, Tarawa, in the former Gilbert Islands) is a politician from Tuvalu. He has served twice as the third Prime Minister of Tuvalu.

Political career

Paeniu made his entrance on the political scene in 1989, when he won a seat in the Parliament of Tuvalu following a by-election.

First period of office as Prime Minister

Later in 1989, he challenged incumbent Prime Minister Tomasi Puapua in the general election and won, becoming the youngest ever Prime Minister of Tuvalu at age 33.

He was narrowly defeated by Kamuta Latasi in an election of 1993.

Second period of office as Prime Minister

However, he replaced Latasi in 1996.

In his second premiership term, an issue which arose was the controversy surrounding the design of the national flag of Tuvalu. Paeniu successfully led moves to revert the flag to a previously used design which included the British Union Jack. Paeniu is less overtly republican in inclination than Latasi.

Subsequent career

On April 13, 1999, he was forced out of office due to a vote of no confidence. Paeniu did lead the caretaker government until Ionatana Ionatana was elected on April 26.

He sat as a Member of Parliament, representing the constituency of Nukulaelae island, until 2006. In addition, he served as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in the five-person Cabinet of Saufatu Sopoanga. Paeniu is the only Tuvaluan so far to serve as Prime Minister for two non-consecutive terms.

Paeniu lost his seat in Parliament in the 2006 general election. He faced challenge not only from independent Namoliki Sualiki, but also from his own brother and nephew, Iefata and Luke, who stood against him in his constituency. Bikenibeu Paeniu received 65 votes (ahead of Iefata's 64 and Luke's 21), but Sualiki was elected with 109.

References

• PAENIU, Rt Hon Bikenibeu International Who's Who. accessed September 1, 2006.