The Government of Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Marshall Islands, it was named after British Captain John MARSHALL, who charted many of the islands in 1788. The Government system in this country is the mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 24 municipalities; Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikini & Kili, Ebon, Enewetak & Ujelang, Jabat, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, Wotje

National symbols

A 24-rayed star; national colors: blue, white, orange.

The flag

The National flag of Marshall Islands has blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the hoist side above the two stripes; blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe signifies the Ralik Chain or sunset and courage, while the white stripe signifies the Ratak Chain or sunrise and peace; the star symbolizes the cross of Christianity, each of the 24 rays designates one of the electoral districts in the country and the four larger rays highlight the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the rising diagonal band can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position just to the north.

The National Anthem

Title	"Forever Marshall Islands"
Lyric/music	Amata KABUA

note: adopted 1981

More about the government of Marshall Islands

Constitution
Date of Independence	21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday	Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
Legal system	mixed legal system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes
International law organization participation	accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	Effective 1 May 1979
Amendments	Proposed by the National Parliament or by a constitutional convention; passage by Parliament requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership in each of two readings and approval by a majority of votes in a referendum; amendments submitted by a constitutional convention require approval of at least two thirds of votes in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2018
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands
Dual citizenship recognized	no
Residency requirement for naturalization	5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023)
Head of government	President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023)
Cabinet	Cabinet nominated by the president from among members of the Nitijela, appointed by Nitijela speaker
Elections/appointments	president indirectly elected by the Nitijela from among its members for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 January 2023 (next to be held in 2027)
Election results	2023: Hilda C. HEINE elected president; National Parliament vote - Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 17, David KABUA (independent) 16 2020: David KABUA elected president; National Parliament vote - David KABUA (independent) 20, Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 12
Legislative branch
Description	Unicameral National Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members in 19 single- and 5 multi-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Council of Iroij, a 12-member group of tribal leaders advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice); members appointed to serve 1-year terms
Elections	Last held on 20 November 2023 (next to be held in November 2027)
Election results	Percent of vote by party - NA; seats by part - independent 33; composition - men 29, women 4, percent of women 12.1%
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices)
Judge selection and term of office	Judges appointed by the Cabinet upon the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (consists of the chief justice of the High Court, the attorney general and a private citizen selected by the Cabinet) and upon approval of the Nitijela; the current chief justice, appointed in 2013, serves for 10 years; Marshallese citizens appointed as justices serve until retirement at age 72
Subordinate courts	High Court; District Courts; Traditional Rights Court; Community Courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Charles Rudolph PAUL (since 27 February 2024)
Chancery	2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone	[1] (202) 234-5414
FAX	[1] (202) 232-3236
Email address and website	[email protected]
Consulate(s) general	Honolulu, Springdale (AR)
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Lance POSEY (since 18 August 2023)
Embassy	Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro
Mailing address	4380 Majuro Place, Washington DC 20521-4380
Telephone	[692] 247-4011
FAX	[692] 247-4012
Email address and website	[email protected] https://mh.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	1 (cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site