List of leaders of Mava Council

Leader of Mava Council Maava Taapiit Puuaqat
Coat of arms of Mava
Incumbent Kausaanek Malaati since 22 March 2023
Style	No courtesy title or style
Member of	Mava Council Mava Council Cabinet
Appointer	Governor of Mava (de jure) Administrator of Mava (de facto)
Inaugural holder	Paaliuk Kaasatok
Formation	1972
Salary	A$50,000 annually
Website	http://mava.mv/puuaqat

Mava, a group of islands in the Sarosan Ocean, is a self-governing territory officially designated as an unincorporated territorial area of Atitlan. Settled by nomadic tribes in the 9th century, the island was effectively sovereign until its annexation in 1836. Since 1972, it has enjoyed self-government, with its current political status regulated by the Mava Organic Act of 2008. The non-resident Governor of Mava is the representative of the Atitlanese president, with their powers exercised on a day-to-day basis by a resident Administrator. The Mava Council, the unicameral legislature, elects a leader to serve as head of government.

Appointment

The Leader of the Council is appointed by the Administrator (on behalf of the Governor) after having been elected in a council vote. There are no political parties in Mava, with politics operating within a consensus system. The leader is generally approved by the whole council rather than by a simple majority.

A convention in Mavean politics is that the councillor who receives the most votes is given the first opportunity to form a government. The only time this convention was not followed was on the appointment of Pigaqamituuk Okulivaat in 1986; Saavik Maalaatak had received the most votes but declined to serve as council leader, with the second most-voted candidate selected in his place.

Role and responsibilities

The Leader of the Council is the chairman of the Mava Council Cabinet, a committee of the council that forms the executive. The leader is responsible for nominating members to sit in the cabinet and for overseeing their activities. In this respect, the role of leader is comparable to a prime minister, but possesses significantly fewer powers. The cabinet operates similarly to the wider council in that it is consensus based, with decisions made not on the basis of a majority but rather on a broad agreement of all members. In this respect, the leader is first amongst equals.

The cabinet, as a committee of the council rather than an independent body, derives its powers from the council. All appointments require the approval of the council and dismissals likewise require its consent.

Declaration

The Leader of the Council makes a declaration to the wider council on their appointment. This is not a formal oath or affirmation and failure to do does not preclude them from holding the office, but rather a statement of intent that binds them to the Public Service Code. It's formal name is a "Pledge of Office" and is as follows:

I accept the decision of the Council and assume the office of Leader of the Council. In so doing, I declare the following: that I shall discharge my duties in good faith and commit myself to upholding and enabling good government for the duration of my office; that I will promote the interests of all people towards the goal of a shared future; to participate fully in the activities of the Council and of its Cabinet; to uphold the rule of law on the basis of the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality, and democratic accountability; to support and comply with all decisions of the Cabinet and Council; and to comply in all matters with the Public Service Code.

This declaration is provided for by regulations governing the activities of the Council, rather than in law. The wording is not fixed and has been regularly changed with the priorities of the Council. It is common for Leaders to make additional comments following this declaration, usually stating how they will govern in accordance with its provisions.

Local heads of government (1972-present)

Mava
No.	Name (Birth–Death)	Portrait	Tenure			Notes
			From	Until	Time in office
#1	Paaliuk Kaasatok		1972	1976	3 years, 249 days	First head of government
#2	Kiigiak Taaquyok		1976	1980	4 years, 118 days
#3	Kussilaakug Kagaaq		1980	1986	5 years, 242 days
#4	Pigaqamituuk Okulivaat		1986	1992	6 years, 6 days
#5	Naasukkit Mikanaark		1992	2000	7 years, 363 days
#6	Niqimuyaak Maait		2000	2004	4 years, 2 days
#7	Kiqoona Saarnerk		2004	2012	7 years, 363 days	First female leader
#8	Akinvik Sipputi		2012	2016	4 years, 2 days
#9	Paqtuq Maagamarak		2016	2023	6 years, 303 days	Resigned due to ill-health
#10	Kausaanek Malaati		2023	Incumbent	1 year, 57 days

See also

• Politics of Mava
• Governor of Mava

External links

• Leader. Mava Council