Lionel Rouwen Aingimea (born 2 September 1965) is a Nauruan lawyer and politician who is serving as the first Vice President of Nauru since 16 April 2026 as well as the current Minister Assisting the President of Nauru. He served as President of Nauru from 2019 to 2022.USP governance needs improvement: Aingimea Radio New Zealand, 3 July 2020Lionel Aingimea is Nauru's 15th President Nauru Bulletin, 11 September 2019 He formally served as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Nauru.
Early life
Aingimea was born in September 1965 into the Deiboe tribe. He studied law in Australia and subsequently worked for the Regional Rights Resource Team NGO,Nauru Parliament picks lawyer Lionel Aingimea for president Deutsche Welle, 27 August 2019 and as a public defender in the Marshall Islands.Lionel Rouwen Aingimea elected President of Nauru PMN News, 27 August 2019 He later worked as a lecturer in law at the University of the South Pacific. On 20 December 1985, Aingemea married Ingrid Engar.
Political career
Aingimea ran for election to Parliament in the Meneng constituency in 2013, but failed to be elected. Following the elections, he joined the new administration of President Baron Waqa as Secretary for Justice.
After successfully contesting the Meneng seat in the 2016 elections, he was appointed Assistant Minister for Justice and Border Control in Waqa's government, serving under Minister for Justice David Adeang. He was re-elected in the 2019 elections, which saw Waqa lose his seat. Following the elections, he was elected President by Parliament, defeating Adeang by twelve votes to six.Nauru's Parliament elects former human rights lawyer Lionel Aingimea as President ABC News, 27 August 2019
After Russ Kun's election as president, on 28 September 2022, Aingimea began serving as Deputy Speaker under Speaker Marcus Stephen.he was replaced in October 2025 by Isabella Dageago after the 2025 election.
After President David Adeang was sworn in on 30 October 2023, Aingimea was made Minister for Justice, Foreign Affairs, the Nauru Police Force, Nauru Port, Nauru Shipping Line and Minister Assisting the President.
Following a constitutional reform, Aingimea was appointed as the inaugural Vice President of Nauru by President David Adeang.
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