David Kabua
Quick Facts
Biography
David Kabua (born 1951) is a Marshallese politician and government minister, currently serving as the President of the Marshall Islands. He is the son of the first president, Amata Kabua, and his wife Emlain Kabua.
His was educated in Xavier High School, Micronesia and University of Hawaii. From 2008 to 2011 he was an elected senator for Wotho Atoll. In 2012 and 2013 he was Minister of Health, and in 2014 he was made Minister of Internal Affairs in a cabinet reshuffle. He was Minister in Assistance to the President of Marshall Islands in the cabinet of Casten Nemra in January 2016.
On 6 January 2020 Kabua was elected president of the Marshall Islands by the national legislature by a vote of 20–12 with one abstention. He succeeds Hilda Heine, who was seeking a second term, but lost in the first session vote. Kabua said that combating climate change, negotiating with the US regarding the extension of a funding arrangement that expires in 2023, and addressing the issue of Runit Dome as the top priorities of his presidency. He was sworn into office on 13 January 2020.