Paeniu, Bikenibeu (1956– )

Tuvaluan politician, prime minister 1989–93 and from 1996. In October 1989, after a general election had led to a swing in support away from Prime Minister Tomasi Puapua, he became prime minister at the age of 33. He took personal control over foreign affairs and economic planning and sought to reduce the country's dependence on foreign economic aid. The September 1993 general election resulted in a hung parliament, in which no single candidate could attract sufficient support to become prime minister. A new election, in November 1993, saw Paeniu's replacement as prime minister by Kamuta Laatasi, but Paeniu returned to power in December 1996 after Laatasi was defeated in a no-confidence vote. In February 1997 his government restored the country's traditional flag and in March 1998 Paeniu was re-elected prime minister.

Born in Bikenibeu, Tarawa, on the island of Nukulalae, Paeniu studied at universities in Fiji and Hawaii and then worked as an economist with the Pacific Community in Noumea, New Caledonia. He returned to Tuvalu in 1988.

His 1998 election followed a campaign in which Paeniu and Laatasi had traded lurid allegations of sexual and financial misconduct.