THE general elections in Fiji this year may well be a revenge of the chiefs.
So says a leading political commentator and activist who believes the hurt caused to the traditional rulers will be a key factor driving the outcome of the polls scheduled for September.
Not too long after taking power in a military coup in 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, then head of the forces, abolished the Great Council of Chiefs – the supreme consultative body in Fiji.
“The chiefs are hurt, badly hurt,” said Nikhil Naidu, spokesman for the Auckland-based Coalition for Democracy in Fiji, referring to the removal of the chiefly body.
“They are hurt, their people are hurt, and they will never forget,” Naidu said.
“They are united against the regime. This time there’s no split. They’re waiting.”
Naidu said he believed that this was would determine the outcome of the general election.
In Suva last week, a prominent high chief and leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), Ro Teimumu Kepa made it clear that they would reverse most of the decisions made by the Bainimarama regime.
“Those who took over the state and its government by force of arms are still seen as a threat,” Ro Teimumu told delegates at the party’s annual meeting.
“They will be reluctant to give up their power.
“We must show them that we have power as well. It is the sovereign power of the people; this is the highest authority and it will prevail,” said Ro Teimumu Kepa, who is a younger sister of Ro Lady Lala Mara, wife of former President and statesman Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
“All of us, walking side by side, will put right the wrongs of the last seven years.”
Ro Teimumu said when SODELPA came into power, it would reinstate the Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga) as the supreme consultative body in the country.
“So today we have a constitution that lacks democratic legitimacy.
“It is a unilateral promulgation that is further compromised in terms of morality and justice in its provisions deliberately intended to protect the self-interest of the ruling elite.
“With the support of multi-party Cabinet partners, we shall reinstate the Bose Levu Vakaturaga as the apex consultative body of the indigenous Fijian and Rotuman communities.”
She also hinted at restoring parts of the 1970 and 1997 constitutions after asking for a Supmeme Court ruling.
Naidu said Fiji was heading for strife considering the scenarios being played out.
“Revenge will be a key factor driving some of the parties. The chiefs have lost mana with their people, and they will do anything to restore that.”
Naidu said this stance would split votes. “While the common man in the village would be bound to follow the directive and wishes of the chief, the educated Fijian will not, and will probably vote Labour.
“The educated Fijian knows that power comes with merit, and not by birthright.”
He predicted the bulk of Indian votes would also go Labour’s way.
Naidu said at this critical juncture, Fiji needed to have a transitional government to take the country forward.
Naidu said “in the best case scenario, whichever party wins should get the support of the military, and everyone should move on”.
He said the threat of the culture of coups that had dogged Fiji since 1987 (four takeovers), remained strong as ever. He compared it to strife in Myanmar.
On Bainimarama stepping down as Army chief, Naidu said: “He’s a brave man.”
Bainimarama officially resigned as head of the Fiji Military Forces.
The new head of the Fijian Army is Land Force Commander Brigadier Mosese Tikoitoga,
Fiji has suffered four coups and a bloody military mutiny since 1987, mainly as a result of tension between the majority indigenous Fijian population and the ethnic Indian minority.
New Zealand and Australia imposed tough sanctions on the regime in the wake of the 2006 coup, which contributed to a sharp deterioration of relations.
Fiji's military government has been criticised by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and activist groups for widespread media censorship and allegations of human rights abuses, including torture.
Bainimarama, who imposed emergency laws in 2009 prohibiting protests and censoring the media, promised in 2012 to begin talks on a constitution to replace one annulled in 2009.
However, police seized and destroyed hundreds of copies of the draft constitution, which had angered senior military officers by curbing the military's interference in politics, sparking criticism from Australia and New Zealand.