Tito, Teburoro (1953– )

Kiribati politician, president 1994–2003. He was first elected to the Kiribati parliament in 1987 and led a Christian Democratic faction of the Maneaban te Mauri (MTM) party opposition to the Gilbertese National Progressive Party governments of Ieremia Tabai 1978–91 and Teatao Teannaki 1991–94. After claims of misconduct by the outgoing government, he was elected president by a landslide margin in September 1994. His government sought to reduce Nauru's dependence on foreign economic aid and, in September 1995, severed diplomatic relations with France in protest against its resumption of nuclear-weapons testing at Mururoa Atoll, in the South Pacific.

In November 1998 President Teburoro was re-elected, retaining a majority in the House of Assembly.

Born at Tabiteuea North, he studied science at the University of the South Pacific, in Fiji, where he was also active in student politics. On his return to Kiribati in 1980, Tito worked as senior education officer and chair of the football association.