Governance Information for the Federated States of Micronesia

Government:

Constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004.  Like that of the US, the FSM government has three separate branches at the national level - Executive, Legislative and Judicial. It also contains a provision protecting traditional rights. Unlike the US system, however, most major governmental functions other than the conduct of foreign affairs and defense are carried out by the State governments.

Capital city:

Palikir, on Pohnpei

Other cities:

Ronkiti

Population:

108,004 (July 2006 est.) ¹

Independence :

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004)

Year of current Constitution:

2004

Previous constitutions:

1979

President:

H.E. Mr. Joseph J. Urusemal (since 11 May 2003)

Vice President:

Hon. Mr. Redley Killion (11 May 2003)

Cabinet:

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Secretary: Hon. Mr. Sebastian L. Anefal

Deputy Secretary: Hon. Mr. Lorin Robert

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Secretary: Akillino H. Susaia

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Secretary: Hon. Mr. Andrew R. Yatilman

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Secretary: Hon. Mr. Nick L. Andon

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Secretary: Hon. Mr. Nena Nena

Deputy Secretary:Hon. Mr. Midion Gideon Neth

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Secretary: Hon. Ms. Marstella E. Jack

OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENDER

Public Defender: Hon. Mrs. Beautean Carl Worswick

Legislature:

Unicameral Congress (14 seats elected by popular vote. Four senators — one from each state — serve four-year terms; the remaining ten senators represent single-member districts based on population, and serve two-year terms.)

State Governments:

The State governments under their Constitutions are structurally similar, all utilizing three branches, Executive, Legislative and Judicial. Their makeups vary according to their different circumstances.

Chuuk State

Governor: Hon. Wesley Simina

Lt. Governor: Hon. Johnson Elimo

Kosrae State

Governor: Hon. Rensley Sigrah

Lt. Governor: Hon. Gerson Jackson

Pohnpei State

Governor: Hon. Johnny David

Lt. Governor: Hon. Jack Yakana

Yap State

Governor: Hon. Robert Ruecho

Lt. Governor: Hon. Joseph Habuchimai

Electoral System:

The 14-member Congress is elected by popular vote from each state. Congress then chooses the President and Vice President by majority vote from among its four at large senators. State governors, state legislators, and municipal governments are elected by direct popular vote.

Most recent election:

March 2005

Previous elections:

Not Available

Political Parties:

No formal parties

Judicial System:

Judicial branch:   The Judicial Branch of the National Government is headed by the FSM Supreme Court, currently comprised of three Justices who sit in trial and appellate Divisions. At this time there are no other National courts. Justices are nominated by the President for a lifetime appointment and confirmed by the Congress.

There is an independent and impartial judiciary in civil matters. The Supreme Court would hear lawsuits seeking damages for, or cessation of, a human rights violation. There are no non-judicial administrative remedies available.

Legal system:   Based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws.

Chief Justice:

Hon. Mr. Andon L. Amaraich

Public Auditor:

Mr. Haser Hainrick

Social Security Administrator:

Mr. Alexander R. Narruhn

Electoral Commissioner:

National election commissioners exist for each state.

Solicitor General:

Not Available

Director of Public Prosecution:

Not Available

Commissioner of Police

Each state has a department of public safety composed of police, corrections, fire, and emergency response functions. The directors of public safety are state cabinet-level positions.

Military Commander:

Defense is the responsibility of the US. There is no ministry of defense and no standing armed forces; the paramilitary Maritime Wing, a small maritime law enforcement unit, is responsible to the Division of Maritime Surveillance within the Office of the Attorney General.

Directories:

Telephone Directory

International Memberships

African, Caribbean , and Pacific Group of States (ACP)

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

Group of 77 (G-77)

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

International Development Association (IDA)

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS)

International Finance Corporation (IFC)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) 

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM)

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) - 18 March 1993

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (Sparteca)

United Nations (UN)

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

University of the South Pacific (USP)

World Health Organisation (WHO)

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Sources:

(2) The US Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook - https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fm.html