Ionatana Ionatana, CVO, OBE (1938? - December 8, 2000), was a political figure from the Pacific nation of Tuvalu. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Tuvalu from April 27, 1999, to December 8, 2000.
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Ionatana served in the country's Parliament from Tuvalu's independence in 1978 until his death. He held many portfolios during his political career, including government secretary, Minister of Education, and Minister of Works and Communications. Ionatana was somewhat noted for his republican leanings.
In 1999 Ionatana succeeded Bikenibeu Paeniu as Prime Minister of Tuvalu. Among the prominent issues of his period of office, he oversaw Tuvalu's entry into the United Nations on September 5, 2000.
In the year 2000, as Prime Minister, Ionatana died in office, the first time this had occurred since Tuvalu became independent.
| Preceded by Bikenibeu Paeniu |
Prime Minister of Tuvalu 1999–2000 |
Succeeded by Lagitupu Tuilimu (acting) |
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