Leader of United Republic of Delvin (Jokonya) Forms 18-Member Cabinet
Webiston Jokonya, a Zimbabwe-born academic, who gained global attention on September 5 last year by proclaiming a new sovereign state amidst the world’s oceans, has established an 18-member cabinet as preparations to inhabit the island commence.
The newly formed state, named the United Republic of Delvin (URD), is currently in the process of registering citizens. URD has emerged from what was previously referred to as Howland Island, situated north of the Equator in the Central Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,700 nautical miles southwest of Honolulu. Spanning 160 hectares, it occupies a position almost equidistant between Hawaii and Australia.
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Previously unclaimed and uninhabited, the island attained recognition as a country or sovereign state following Jokonya’s declaration last year. Initially scheduled for launch on January 24, the unveiling of the “new nation” was postponed to allow for citizen registration and resource mobilization.
Speaking from his residence in Lusaka, Zambia, Jokonya informed NewsDay Weekender that out of the 18 cabinet positions, 11 have been filled as of yesterday.
“UDR will have an 18-member cabinet and today [yesterday], we have filled 11 ministerial posts. We are in the process of recruiting seven ministers and applications are trickling in,” he said.