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 an orange stripe and a white stripe radiating from the lower hoist-side corner; a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the hoist side above the two stripes; the blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe for the Ralik Chain (or sunset and courage), and the white stripe for the Ratak Chain (or sunrise and peace); the star symbolizes the Christian cross, with a small ray for each electoral district and a larger ray for the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the diagonal stripes can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position.

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 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
Amendment process	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
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
Legislature name	Parliament (Nitijela)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	33 (all directly elected)
Electoral system	Plurality/majority
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	4 years
Most recent election date	11/20/2023
Percentage of women in chamber	12.1%
Expected date of next election	November 2027
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 on 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 Laura M. STONE (since 12 July 2024)
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