| The Honourable Baron Waqa MP |
|
|---|---|
| Member of the Nauruan Parliament for Boe |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | Ross Cain |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 29 May 2003 – 8 August 2003 |
|
| Preceded by | Remy Namaduk |
| Succeeded by | Marcus Stephen |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 22 June 2004 – 17 December 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | Marcus Stephen |
| Succeeded by | Roland Kun |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 December 1959 Nauru |
| Nationality | Nauruan |
| Residence | Boe |
| Profession | teacher, composer |
| Religion | Christian |
Baron Divavesi Waqa (b. December 31, 1959) is a Nauruan politician.
He was elected in the May 2003 elections to the Parliament of Nauru, representing the constituency of Boe. Under president Ludwig Scotty he served as Minister of the Interior and of Education; he had, however, to leave the post upon Scotty's replacement by René Harris. He kept his seat in Parliament.
On April 23, 2004, Waqa and his colleagues Kieren Keke, David Adeang and Fabian Ribauw participated in protests at the Nauru International Airport in Yaren; these were meant to show displeasure regarding government policy against Afghan asylum-seekers in Australia and the Flotilla of Hope, as well as against the deadlock then encountered in Parliament. All four faced up to fourteen years in jail because of their participation in the protest; charges were dropped, however, upon Scotty's re-ascension the following June. Scotty once again appointed Waqa to be Minister of Education.[1]
Waqa remained loyal to his Administration during the ministerial crisis which occurred in 2007. Consequently, Waqa was not invited to serve in the subsequent Administration of President Marcus Stephen which later took office.