Latest news with #Bainimarama
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
'Political dynamics in Fiji are unpredictable': Will Ratu Tevita Mara step into politics?
Ratu Tevita Mara is the son of Fiji's first prime minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Photo: Facebook / Ministry of itaukei Affairs A Fijian political commentator predicts that Ratu Tevita Mara well could become prime minister in the future, once he gains chiefly status. The King and Queen of Tonga are in Fiji this week to celebrate two historic ceremonies in honour of Ratu Tevita, the son of Fiji's first prime minister, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. On Tuesday, a huge crowd gathered on Nayau Island in Lau - northeast of the main island - for a grand ceremony to witness the island's kingmakers present his first title, Turaga Tui Nayau . Ratu Tevita, a former military general, fled to Tonga in 2011 and went into exile after the then Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama wanted him tried for treason . The royal family sheltered him in their Nuku'alofa palace, where he worked as an advisor to King Tupou VI. The Bainimarama administration banned him from re-entering Fiji - something that only became possible after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's government came into power in December 2022. The prestigious titles of Turaga Tui Nayau, Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau and Tui Lau are being be bestowed upon Ratu Tevita this week. Photo: Facebook / Ministry of itaukei Affairs Tuesday's ceremony was highly significant because the titles had been vacant for more than two decades, following the death of Ratu Sir Kamisese in 2004. Ratu Tevita will receive two more titles, Tui Lau and Sau Ni Vanua Ko Lau , on Thursday during a ceremony at Tubou village in Lau. University of Canterbury's distinguished professor Steven Ratuva believes his chiefly status and mana will pave the way for him enter politics. "It has been the practice in the past that chiefs stand for elections, because it gives them more status and power," Ratuva said. "I am not sure if he would put himself forward, he is quite a humble man and will have responsibilities as a provincial leader. But it is likely he will be approached by at least two political parties: Rabuka's ruling People's Alliance Party and Sodelpa." Professor Steven Ratuva Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis Ratuva said that even if he did not want to stand in next year's election, Ratu Tevita could be asked to support the parties and mobilise votes in his traditional constituency. "He might say no to both of them, so other parties might decide to approach him," he said. "Others might say keep away from politics, it's dirty. A lot of chiefs who are politics now get tangled up in all kinds of controversy, so he'll probably be torn between those two forces." Ratu Tevita has kept his political leanings to himself and it is unclear if he would back Rabuka's government. "Chiefly alliances change all the time, especially at this point in time, the political dynamics in Fiji are unpredictable." Ratu Sir Kamisese formed the Alliance Party in the early 1960s. It was Fiji's first ruling party from 1966 to 1987, when the party was beaten by a Labour-led coalition led by Timoci Bavadra. After less than a month in office, the new government was deposed in a military coup led by the then Lieutenant Colonel Rabuka.
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Fiji PM Rabuka will block Bainimarama's comeback, says political commentator
Rabuka and Bainimarama, in January 2018 Photo: Fijian Government/Facebook An Indigenous political commentator believes that Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will make sure his predecessor Frank Bainimarama cannot contest next year's general election. The convicted former Prime Minister Bainimarama originally seized power in a military coup in 2006 and is appealing his corruption conviction in the Court of Appeal in July. Bainimarama's right-hand man, former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, told RNZ Pacific last week that there is a groundswell of support for the former PM, which would pave the way for him to stand. "People want him back," Sayed-Khaiyum said. However, Canterbury University's distinguished professor Steven Ratuva said Bainimarama faces significant legal barriers. "Rabuka, his arch-rival, will make sure that his conviction is not quashed, plus he is facing two more criminal charges," he said. "Not only that, but the 2013 Constitution disqualified him from contesting an election within eight years of a conviction." Bainimarama was the highest-polling candidate in the 2022 elections, receiving over 29 percent (136,829) of total votes. In response to Sayed-Khaiyum's comments, Rabuka said Bainimarama cannot contest the 2026 election. He told local media that even if Bainimarama's conviction were quashed by the Appeal Court, there are other cases against him in a lower court. "Popularity is not an issue or criterion to stand in elections," he was quoted as saying by FijiLive . "There are more people than [Bainimarama] who cannot stand because of their conviction." When asked if Ratuva thought Bainimarama posed any threat to the ruling People's Alliance Party (PAP), he said: "He might, but the question is, does he have enough political clout and support to make a comeback? "That's a question that has to be tested in the election itself if he is ever able to contest one." He said that while Bainimarama was once very popular in Fiji, his current status is unclear. "People will claim there's a lot of support for him, but that still has to be tested. "There has been a lot of criticism of the current government, and that would have diverted people's preferences away from [the ruling PAP] in the next election. "It is going to be an interesting election in terms of the way in which the votes will go," Ratuva said. "Relaunching his FijiFirst Party, which was deregistered in July last year, would be a big ask for Bainimarama." He said whether that cohesion exists remains to be seen. "It would take a significant amount of energy to bring the party together again. Perhaps under a different guise, a different name, a reinvention. But I think [it] would be a huge struggle," he said. Seven parties have registered to contest the election so far, and a further 15 proposed parties are yet to gain enough support to register, according to the Fijian Elections Office. Ratuva said this will mean the vote is even more fragmented. "When there is controversy around how the government is being run, you're bound to see a lot of parties trying to take advantage and fill the void." "However, many of them will not prove viable. Whoever wins the election will have to form a coalition with two, three, or more smaller parties," he added. Bainimarama was head of Fiji's military in 2006 when he staged the country's fourth coup in 20 years. He deposed the late Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and became Prime Minister in 2007. Bainimarama returned Fiji to democracy with a general election in 2014, when his FijiFirst Party had a landslide victory. However, his administration was accused of being dictatorial due to allegations of bullying, intimidation of opponents, human rights abuses, and suppression of the media. He won the elections for a second time in 2018, but only managed to secure a little over 50 percent of the total votes to lead a majority government. Bainimarama attempted to consolidate his power as the longest-serving Fiji Prime Minister in 2022, while going up against his arch rival, Rabuka, a former military strongman and coup maker himself. However, despite being the largest party in parliament, he failed to secure the majority of seats and a coalition government was needed. The result hinged on kingmaker Viliame Gavoka, then the leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa). Sodelpa chose to enter into a coalition with Rabuka's PAP and the National Federation Party, ousting Bainimarama and ending his 16-year reign. Bainimarama resigned from parliament in March 2023 after copping a three year suspension for sedition. He was jailed in May last year, alongside the former police chief Sitiveni Qiliho, for perverting the course of justice. However, he was released from prison last November, just six months into his one-year sentence, following a comprehensive review by the Fiji Corrections Service.
RNZ News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
'People want him back': Sayed-Khaiyum says Bainimarama could stand in 2026
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Frank Bainimarama. September 2023 Photo: Facebook / Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum Convicted former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama could contest the general election next year, his right-hand man claims. Bainimarama, who originally seized power in a military revolt in 2006, now wants his corruption conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told RNZ Pacific this would allow the former military leader to contest the 2026 general election. "Many Fijian people want him back," Sayed-Khaiyum, who was widely regarded as the brains behind Bainimarama's 16-year leadership, said. "There is a groundswell of support. Whenever we walk down the street, people reach out and say the country needs him," he said. The coalition government was putting its political survival ahead of the people, he said. "Sitiveni Rabuka's administration knows it is not going to win the 2026 election, because the country is in such a mess." "So, it is making underhanded moves to try and change the 2013 Constitution, with a view to changing the electoral system," he said. Sayed-Khaiyum, labelled by critics as the architect of the Constitution, said the country's economic and social problems are more urgent than constitutional change. "The government's inability to govern effectively and implement credible policies means we have seen a rapidly growing gap between the rich and poor, more people falling into poverty, and thousands of Fijians leaving our shores in the past couple of years," he said. "If the Prime Minister [Rabuka] is concerned about our economy and the welfare of ordinary Fijians, then he must direct the government's energy and resources to addressing the issues faced by all Fijians, our businesses and investors." "If he can do that and not listen to the political opportunists and extremists around him, then he will gain the political ascendancy that he seeks." Bainimarama was head of Fiji's military in 2006 when he staged the country's fourth coup in 20 years. He deposed the late Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and became Prime Minister in 2007. However, Bainimarama returned Fiji to democracy with a general election in 2014. His now deregistered FijiFirst Party had a landslide victory in that election, the first in eight years. But the administration was accused of being dictatorial due to allegations of bullying, intimidation of opponents, human rights abuses, and suppression of the media. He won the elections for a second time in 2018, but only managed to accumulate a little over 50 percent of the total votes to lead a majority government. Bainimarama attempted to consolidate his power as the longest serving Fiji Prime Minister in 2022, while going up against his arch-rival, former military strongman and coup maker Rabuka. However, despite being the largest party in parliament he failed to secure the majority of seats and a coalition government was needed. The result hinged on kingmaker Viliame Gavoka, then the leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa). Sodelpa chose to go into a coalition with Rabuka's People's Alliance and the National Federation Party, and ousted Bainimarama's government ending his 16-year reign. Bainimarama resigned from parliament in March 2023 after copping a three year suspension for sedition. He was jailed in May last year, alongside the former police chief Sitiveni Qiliho, for perverting the course of justice. The two were involved in blocking a police investigation involving the University of the South Pacific in 2021. However, Bainimarama was released from prison last November, just six months into his one-year sentence, following a comprehensive review by the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS). In a statement, the said that section 46(3) of the Corrections Act, allowed for early release of inmates based on specific criteria that ensure both the security of the community and the facilitation of an inmates reintegration. "All requirements were rigourously assessed, including eligibility criteria, conditions for release, and supervisory measures in place, in accordance with the guidelines established under FCS regulations," the statement said. Seven parties have registered to contest the election so far, and a further 15 proposed parties are yet to gain enough support to register, according to the Electoral Commission. Sayed-Khaiyum claims the amount of interest signifies the peoples' deep dissatisfaction with the coalition government. However, he said that so far neither he nor Bainimarama have endorsed any particular party. RNZ Pacific has reached out Bainimarama, the Court of Appeal, and the Prime Minister's office for comment.
Scoop
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Fijian Government Putting Politics Before People, Says Former Attorney-General
Margot Staunton, Senior Journalist Fiji's coalition government is putting its political survival ahead of the people's needs, the country's former attorney-general claims. Speaking with RNZ Pacific for the first time since losing power in December 2022, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's administration is doomed unless it deals with the nation's social and economic crisis. Sayed-Khaiyum hit out after one of Fiji's deputy prime ministers said the nation was recovering from a "sixteen year dictatorship". Sayed-Khaiyum was widely regarded as the right-hand man of convicted former prime minister Frank Bainimarama for 16 years. Critics have labelled him the architect of the highly controversial 2013 Constitution. Bainimarama seized power in a military coup in 2006 and took the top job a year later. However, he returned Fiji to democracy with a general election in 2014. The former military leader's now deregistered FijiFirst Party had a landslide victory after the first election in eight years. But the party was viewed as being dictatorial due to allegations of bullying and intimidation of opponents, human rights abuses, and suppression of the media. Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica told RNZ Pacific last month that changing the 2013 Constitution was a priority because it "effectively legalises dictatorship." "One of the main reasons Bainimarama's regime is not in government now is the imposition of a constitution that was foisted on the people, with little consultation. "I am told that only a handful of people were involved in the drafting of it, then it was brought in by decree," the deputy PM said. However, Sayed-Khaiyum described Kamikamica's comments as "idiotic" and "factually false". "[To] say that the 2013 Constitution has had no input from ordinary Fijians and was drafted by a handful of people in some closed room in secrecy is a complete lie," he told Pacific Waves on Thursday. He said the document was the product of widespread consultations after the interim regime was formed in 2007, through the process called the National Charter for Building a Better Fiji, the People's Charter, and extensive discussion with people in villages and settlements. "It is a cliché to say we were dictators. We were elected by the people and I would argue that people had far more freedom to speak than ever before," Sayed-Khaiyum said. "Kamikamica's narrative is a bit like Nazi propaganda, when you keep on saying something repeatedly people start wanting to believe it," he said "The government knows it will not survive [the 2026 polls] and, in fact, it is being run like there is only one person heading it." He said the country needs stability, otherwise it will face a socio-economic crisis. The government's inability to govern effectively and implement credible policies meant the gap between rich and poor was growing, he said. "Poverty, crime, drug use, and unemployment was high and thousands of Fijians were leaving. "If Rabuka is concerned about our economy and the welfare of ordinary Fijians, then he must direct all the government's energy and resources towards dealing with the issues faced by the people, our business, and investors. "If he can do that and not listen to the political opportunists and extremists around him, then he will gain the political ascendancy that he seeks." He said if Kamikamica claimed FijiFirst lost the 2022 elections because people rejected the Constitution, they voted overwhelmingly for Bainimarama in 2014 and 2018. "That had nothing to do with the Constitution. In fact, the document allowed people to vote on policy-based issues for the first time. It did not divide people along ethnic lines." he said. "Previously, people had two votes, one for an ethnic group and one for an open seat. The 2013 Constitution got rid of that. "One person, one vote, one value. The electoral system under the 2013 Constitution also gave women more representation than ever before." Sayed-Khaiyum believes that the government's moves to alter the document are "underhanded" and "unconstitutional". "Every government has the right to change the constitution, it is a two-step process. "You have to have three-quarters of parliament approving the first, second, and third reading. "The amendment is then referred to the Electoral Commission, which has to put in place a referendum and three-quarters of registered voters must agree to it. "What is being proposed by this government is a carte blanche amendment that does away with a referendum and only requires the approval of a two-third majority of members of parliament to carry out amendments." What they mean, he said, is that they can change the constitution every month should they wish. He said the constitution was the supreme law of the land and needed stability. The government recently failed in its bid to win enough support in parliament to amend the document and has now sought advice from the Supreme Court. Rabuka could not get the 75 percent support needed to amend the 2013 Constitution during the Constitutional Amendment Bill's second reading. Meanwhile, Sayed-Khaiyum is facing a raft of criminal charges, which he described as "bogus". They include 11 counts of unlawful carriage of a firearm on an aircraft, 11 counts of receiving a corrupt benefit, 11 counts of breach of trust by person employed in the public service and 11 counts of abuse of office. "Everyone knows I did not carry a gun on a plane," he said.
