Ati George Sokomanu

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Ati George Sokomanu (born January 13, 1937) (original name George Kalkoa) is a Ni-Vanuatu politician who served as the first president of the country. He was elected President by the Parliament when Vanuatu gained independence in 1980, and served until the end of his term in 1984. He resigned during the election campaign, but was reelected and restored to the presidency several weeks later by the Parliament for a 5-year term, serving as President until 1989.

An Anglophone, Sokomanu was a member of the Vanua'aku Pati during his presidency. He is the uncle of former Prime Minister Barak Sopé. He served as Secretary-General of the Pacific Community from 1993 to 1996.