ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
The Solomon Islands says they will not grant entry to the former Fijian military officer Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara if he attempts to visit.
Ratu Tevita, who faces charges of sedition in Fiji, is in Australia and says he is planning to travel around the Pacific to campaign against Fiji's interim government.
Solomons Prime Minister Danny Philip told Australia Network he could not afford to damage Solomon Island's relationship with Fiji.
"We have just made peace with Fiji and the MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Group) group," Mr. Philip said.
“We cannot afford to have anything else put some more cracks into that relationship. I think I'll stick to my policy of embracing Fiji for some time," he said.
Meanwhile, in a moving ceremony yesterday, the chiefly Vuanirewa clan in Tubou, Lakeba in Lau, publicly apologised to Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
They traditionally asked him to forgive their chief, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. The chiefly clan presented their matanigasau (traditional apology) at the Tubou Jetty yesterday where they welcomed Commodore Bainimarama and his touring team.
In an emotional ceremony, the chiefs and people of Lakeba asked the Prime Minister to forgive them for what had transpired ahead of his visit.
Ratu Tevita, commonly known as Roko Ului, is the son of the late Tui Nayau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and they are members of the chiefly clan.
Roko Ului is a former army officer who fled to Tonga last month after he was charged with sedition.
He has been labelled as a fugitive. Reverend Uraia Logavatu from the Tokatoka Nayavutoka of the chiefly Vuanirewa clan, said they were saddened that his vanua was linked to recent destabilising events of national implications.
Reverend Logavatu said they were also sorry for Ratu Tevita’s actions. “We are sorry for what we have done,” an emotional Reverend Logavatu told Commodore Bainimarama during his presentation.
The Solomon Islands says they will not grant entry to the former Fijian military officer Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara if he attempts to visit. Ratu Tevita, who faces charges of sedition in Fiji, is in Australia and says he is planning to travel around the Pacific to campaign against...
The Solomon Islands says they will not grant entry to the former Fijian military officer Lieutenant Colonel Ratu Tevita Mara if he attempts to visit.
Ratu Tevita, who faces charges of sedition in Fiji, is in Australia and says he is planning to travel around the Pacific to campaign against Fiji's interim government.
Solomons Prime Minister Danny Philip told Australia Network he could not afford to damage Solomon Island's relationship with Fiji.
"We have just made peace with Fiji and the MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Group) group," Mr. Philip said.
“We cannot afford to have anything else put some more cracks into that relationship. I think I'll stick to my policy of embracing Fiji for some time," he said.
Meanwhile, in a moving ceremony yesterday, the chiefly Vuanirewa clan in Tubou, Lakeba in Lau, publicly apologised to Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama.
They traditionally asked him to forgive their chief, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. The chiefly clan presented their matanigasau (traditional apology) at the Tubou Jetty yesterday where they welcomed Commodore Bainimarama and his touring team.
In an emotional ceremony, the chiefs and people of Lakeba asked the Prime Minister to forgive them for what had transpired ahead of his visit.
Ratu Tevita, commonly known as Roko Ului, is the son of the late Tui Nayau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, and they are members of the chiefly clan.
Roko Ului is a former army officer who fled to Tonga last month after he was charged with sedition.
He has been labelled as a fugitive. Reverend Uraia Logavatu from the Tokatoka Nayavutoka of the chiefly Vuanirewa clan, said they were saddened that his vanua was linked to recent destabilising events of national implications.
Reverend Logavatu said they were also sorry for Ratu Tevita’s actions. “We are sorry for what we have done,” an emotional Reverend Logavatu told Commodore Bainimarama during his presentation.
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