Johnson Toribiong | Today's AI Wiki

1. Early Life and Education

Johnson Toribiong's early life was rooted in Palau, where he pursued extensive education in law.

1.1. Birth and Background

Toribiong was born on July 22, 1946, in Airai, one of the states of Palau. He holds the traditional title of Ngiraked from Airai, signifying his connection to Palauan customs and heritage.

Toribiong embarked on his academic journey at the College of Guam, where he studied from 1965 to 1966. He later earned both a Juris Doctor degree in 1972 and a Master of Laws degree in 1973 from the University of Washington School of Law. His Master of Laws thesis was titled "Oil Pollution by Ships and Micronesia: A Survey of Maritime Jurisdiction and Applicable Laws," reflecting an early interest in environmental and maritime legal issues.

2. Early Career and Political Activities

Before his presidency, Johnson Toribiong established himself in both political and diplomatic spheres.

2.1. Entry into Politics

Toribiong first entered the political arena in 1980 when he was elected to the Senate of Palau. This marked the beginning of his extensive career in public service within the nation.

2.2. Ambassador to the Republic of China

From 2001 to 2008, Toribiong served as Palau's ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan). This diplomatic role provided him with significant experience in international relations prior to his presidential term.

2.3. Presidential Candidacies (Pre-2008)

Toribiong made several attempts at the presidency before his successful 2008 campaign. In the 1992 Palauan general election, he garnered 3,188 votes for president, while incumbent Ngiratkel Etpison received 2,084 votes and rival Kuniwo Nakamura received 3,125 votes. As no candidate secured more than 50% of the vote, Nakamura and Toribiong advanced to a runoff election, where Toribiong was ultimately defeated.

He ran again in the 1996 Palauan presidential election, securing 3,092 votes, which accounted for 33.89% of the first-round votes. However, he subsequently withdrew from the runoff election, citing a need for the government to focus its full attention on the collapse of the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge.

3. Presidency of Palau (2009-2013)

Johnson Toribiong's presidency was marked by his successful election campaign, significant policy initiatives, and notable challenges.

3.1. 2008 Presidential Election

Toribiong was a leading candidate in the 2008 Palauan presidential election. His running mate for vice president was Kerai Mariur, a delegate in the Palau National Congress. Toribiong's main opponent in the election was Elias Camsek Chin, who was the outgoing Palauan vice president.

In the early, unofficial vote tally, Toribiong led with 1,629 votes compared to Chin's 1,499 votes. Toribiong maintained this lead, ultimately defeating Chin and securing the presidency.

3.2. Term of Office

Johnson Toribiong was sworn into office as the eighth President of Palau on January 15, 2009, and served a single term, leaving office on January 17, 2013.

3.2.1. Environmental Policy

A cornerstone of Toribiong's administration was its strong commitment to environmental protection. In 2009, Palau, under his leadership, established the world's first shark sanctuary. This landmark initiative made it illegal to catch sharks within Palau's EEZ, which spans an expansive area of 230.00 K mile², an area roughly the size of France. President Toribiong was a vocal advocate for this policy, emphasizing the critical need to protect shark populations. He also called for a global ban on shark finning, stating, "These creatures are being slaughtered and are perhaps at the brink of extinction unless we take positive action to protect them."

3.2.2. Domestic and Foreign Policy Issues

During his presidency, Toribiong's administration faced various domestic and foreign policy challenges. One particularly controversial issue was Palau's acceptance of six Uyghur former prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. This decision generated significant debate and proved to be problematic as the former detainees reportedly struggled to integrate into Palauan society, becoming a contentious issue that impacted his political standing.

Johnson Toribiong during his presidency.

3.3. 2012 Presidential Election

Johnson Toribiong sought re-election in the 2012 Palauan presidential election but was ultimately defeated by his predecessor, Tommy Remengesau. The issue surrounding the acceptance of the Uyghur detainees was cited as one of the factors contributing to his loss in this election.

4. Election Records

Johnson Toribiong has been a frequent candidate in Palauan presidential elections. The following table details his performance in the presidential elections from 1992 to 2012:

Election	Office	Term	Party	1st Round Vote %	1st Round Votes	2nd Round Vote %	2nd Round Votes	Result	Outcome
1992	President of Palau	6th	Independent	37.80%	3,191	49.30%	4,707	2nd place	Lost
1996	President of Palau	6th	Independent	33.89%	3,092	-	-	Withdrew	Withdrew
2008	President of Palau	8th	Independent	27.49%	2,526	51.07%	5,040	1st place	Won
2012	President of Palau	8th	Independent	32.95%	3,100	41.11%	4,287	2nd place	Lost

5. Personal Life and Recent Activities

In his personal life, Johnson Toribiong is married to Christa Nafstad Toribiong. In a notable recent development, on January 22, 2024, Johnson Toribiong and his wife, Christa Nafstad Toribiong, filed a lawsuit against Surangel Whipps Jr., the current President of Palau, and Ernestine Rengiil, the Attorney General of Palau. The case, Civil Action 24-006, is presided over by Judge Kathleen Salii.

The lawsuit alleges that Ernestine Rengiil added Christa Nafstad Toribiong to a list of undesirable aliens in 2022. It further claims that the reason for this "blacklist" designation was to prevent Johnson Toribiong from divorcing his previous spouse and marrying Christa Nafstad Toribiong, who is 32 years his junior. Both Johnson Toribiong and his wife are attorneys and are representing themselves in the legal proceedings. Currently, the couple remains separated due to the ban on Christa Nafstad Toribiong entering Palau.

6. Legacy

Johnson Toribiong's legacy is significantly defined by his contributions to environmental conservation. His administration's establishment of the world's first shark sanctuary in 2009 demonstrated a pioneering commitment to marine protection, setting a global precedent for ocean conservation efforts. His advocacy for a worldwide ban on shark finning further solidified his reputation as a champion for environmental sustainability. Beyond environmental policy, Toribiong's career as an attorney and politician has seen him serve Palau in various capacities, from the Senate to an ambassadorial role, culminating in his term as president.