Marshall Islands Speaker Drops a Bomb on Ruling Political Party

The following report from Fred Pedro of independent Marshall Islands' radio station V7emon confirms word out of Majuro about the Nitijela (parliament) Speaker's change in party position. The Speaker will be making another speech tonite at Heran Bellu's rally and tomorrow at a meeting of all Ralik candidates in Majuro, according to Tony deBrum, long-time legislator and candidate for the Kwajalein seat.

Speaker Litokwa Tomeing dropped a bomb on the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) on Saturday by calling for a change in government and calling the eight years of UDP rule “a dismal failure.” At a morning rally at the Robert Reimers Enterprises Compound in Majuro, Speaker Tomeing announced he was formally calling for a replacement of the current leadership.

Addressing a standing room only crowd at the Marshall Islands Resort Melele Room where Iroij Michael Kabua was hosting a Kwajalein meeting, Speaker Tomeing stated, “ I was part of the change eight years ago. If we did it then we can do it now.”

There has been much speculation in recent months about the Speaker breaking with the party he helped to form. But the double announcement on Saturday sent shock waves through the islands in this unusually heated election season. The departure of the Speaker, who is unchallenged for his Wotje seat this election, leaves no doubt that elections next week will result in change. The only question is just how much change will be voted in by a constituency very vocal in its challenge to the ruling party. As a traditional leader in his own right, Speaker Tomeing’s voice is highly respected throughout the islands and seasoned observers are bracing for a dramatic change in the Marshallese political horizon.

Kwajalein Senator and Iroij Michael Kabua welcomed the Speaker’s remarks. “ Speaker Tomeing has shown extraordinary leadership and remarkable courage and conviction in taking the position he has chosen. His advice will be pivotal in this historic change about to take place in Marshallese history. “

The Speaker received a standing ovation at the end of his Kwajalein speech when he concluded,” It’s now or never.”

Special from Fred Pedro and Tony deBrum to Yokwe Online, November 11, 2007