Vanuatu marked 47 years since its Constitution was signed and adopted on 5 October 1979, with President Nikenike Vurobaravu using Constitution Day to explain what the country’s fundamental law means and why it remains important today.

In his Constitution Day address, President Vurobaravu said the Constitution is more than a legal document. It establishes the framework for how Vanuatu is governed, protects the rights and freedoms of citizens and sets out the responsibilities of the country’s institutions.

But what exactly is the Constitution, and what does it mean for ordinary citizens?

What is the Constitution?

A Constitution is the fundamental law of a country.

It establishes the identity and character of the State, defines the powers and responsibilities of government institutions and sets out the relationship between the State and its citizens.

It also provides protection for fundamental rights and freedoms and establishes how political authority is exercised and transferred.

President Vurobaravu said one of its most important principles is that government itself is subject to the law.

In Vanuatu, Article 1 declares the Republic a sovereign democratic state, while Article 2 establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic.

This means government institutions, public offices and people exercising public authority must act within the Constitution and the law.

When did Vanuatu get its Constitution?

Vanuatu’s Constitution was signed and adopted on 5 October 1979, before independence.

It subsequently came into force on 30 July 1980, the day Vanuatu became an independent Republic.

The President said the Constitution reflects the vision and determination of the country’s founding leaders, who understood that political independence needed to be supported by law, justice, freedom and democracy.

Who does the Constitution belong to?

According to President Vurobaravu, the Constitution does not belong to a particular government, Parliament, political party or generation.

It belongs to the people of Vanuatu.

The Constitution itself begins with the words:

“WE, the people of Vanuatu…”

The President said these words reflect the shared responsibility of citizens to protect the constitutional foundation of the country.

What values does the Constitution recognise?

Vanuatu’s Constitution reflects the country’s traditional Melanesian values, faith in God and Christian principles.

It also recognises the country’s ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity and its common national identity.

President Vurobaravu said Vanuatu’s democracy must therefore be understood within the country’s own context.

He said Vanuatu is a democratic nation deeply rooted in kastom and community, while its Christian faith should continue to encourage forgiveness, reconciliation, compassion, service and respect for the dignity of every person.

Why does the Constitution matter during disagreements?

The President said constitutional principles are particularly important when people disagree.

Vanuatu is made up of different islands, languages, communities and traditions, but citizens share one national identity and one sovereign Republic.

President Vurobaravu called on citizens to respect political differences without allowing them to weaken national unity.

“We must learn to disagree without becoming enemies.”

He also called for differences to be debated without destroying relationships and for political disagreements to be resolved peacefully.

What does the Constitution mean for government?

The President called on all institutions and leaders to respect their constitutional responsibilities.

He called on Parliament to uphold its constitutional responsibilities and the Government to govern in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

He also called on the Judiciary to safeguard justice and the rule of law.

Traditional leaders, churches, public servants, community leaders and civil society were also urged to contribute to protecting the country’s constitutional values.

What is the responsibility of citizens?

President Vurobaravu said protecting the Constitution is not only the responsibility of government.

“The Constitution is not only the responsibility of government. It is the responsibility of all of us.”

This includes respecting the Constitution, the rule of law, democratic institutions, fundamental rights and freedoms and the peaceful resolution of differences.

What does the President want for future generations?

Looking ahead, President Vurobaravu said each generation has a responsibility to protect and strengthen the constitutional inheritance left by the country’s founding leaders.

He said future generations should inherit a country where the Constitution is respected, the rule of law is upheld, fundamental rights are protected and public institutions serve the people.

He also called for kastom and Christian values to continue contributing to national identity, while strengthening reconciliation and national unity.

Remembering those who built the foundation

During the Constitution Day address, the President also acknowledged surviving members of the Constitutional Committee who were present.

They included George Kalkoa, Kalpokor Kalsakau, Maxime Carlot, Vincent Boulekon, Kalkot Mataskelekele, Barak Sope, Joe Natuman, Sethy Regenvanu and Joseph Laloyer.

He also paid tribute to members of the Constitutional Committee who have passed away, recognising their contribution to the constitutional foundation of the Republic.

47 years on

For President Vurobaravu, Constitution Day is not only about remembering the past.

It is also an opportunity for the country to renew its commitment to constitutional government and consider what kind of Vanuatu will be left for future generations.

He called for continued respect for sovereignty, democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights, constitutional institutions, kastom, Christian values, reconciliation and national unity.

As Vanuatu marks 47 years since the Constitution was adopted, the President ended with the same words that begin the country’s Constitution:

“WE, the people of Vanuatu…”

He said those words should continue to unite the country as one people, one nation and one sovereign Republic of Vanuatu.