Why does the expatriate Banaban community in Fiji have a representative in Kiribati’s legislature?

The expatriate Banaban community on Rabi Island in Fiji holds a representative seat in the Kiribati legislature, the House of Assembly (Maneaba ni Maungatabu), as a constitutional provision to ensure their voice is heard within the nation.1

This representation stems from the forced displacement of the Banaban people following the environmental devastation of their home island, Banaba, caused by extensive phosphate mining and the destruction incurred during World War II. Although the British government resettled many Banabans on Rabi Island in Fiji after the war, the community maintains a historical and legal connection to Kiribati. Since Kiribati’s independence in 1979, the Banabans have been guaranteed ownership of Banaba and dual citizenship in both Kiribati and Fiji. The inclusion of a dedicated representative in the House of Assembly serves to recognize their unique status and ongoing ties to the nation despite their relocation.231